sasa is ditching diamonds for colored gemstones. While many consumers are aware of certified conflict free diamonds, this certification does not acknowledge the environmental or labor impact. While we could source recycled diamonds, we feel that this only encourages the demand for newly mined diamonds. Thats why we are solely using sapphires for our engagement rings. This includes Montana Sapphire Rings, Australian Sapphire Rings, and Sapphire Rings from other origins.
We enjoy sharing the country of origin and who cut our gemstones because it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to get these answers for diamonds and it is truly the only way to know our own impact on the environment and communities across the world aka being able to claim ethical and sustainable! Traditional jewelry supply chains have long been rooted in environmental destruction and human exploitation. sasa is doing things differently. We are committed to transparency in sourcing and production.
So what makes for the best alternative to a diamond engagement ring you may ask? A sapphire engagement ring!! Sapphires are found in many places throughout the world but when in comes to transparency Montana Sapphires and Australian Sapphires really are top tier. When sourcing sapphires from Montana and Australia I know the exact mine they come from, not just the location! I think a lot of diamond consumers are unaware that when jewelers are buying diamonds the exact location that diamond is from is a list of approx. 10-20 locations and nothing about the cutting facility! So basically you get zero information about location and cutting when you buy diamonds. There are some exceptions to this (Canadian Diamonds for example are getting easier to find and buy) but to for our best practices, sasa is just not putting ourselves in the diamond engagement business at all. If our sapphire dealers cannot show me their cutting facility then I will not buy from them. The treatment of gem cutters is just as important to us as the treatment of the earth and people mining the stones.
All of the gemstones we source can be traced to their origin (sometimes even to the person who mined the stone)! Most of our gemstones are precision cut by people around the US, not mass produced. For smaller stones we work with a couple fair trade companies with their own cutting facilities. There is no regulation on what qualifies as fair trade so these companies are doing their own due dilegence on this front.
At sasa it is our responsibility to put the planet first, while also facilitating equity for the people throughout the industry. This is achieved through ethical practices and materials. While ethical is a common buzz word for sustainablity (often with no real meaning other than to green-wash) we have come to define it as standards that ensure human and environmental well being. These practices are ever evolving while we grow and understand our impact but are currently implemented through small batch production, traceable and fair trade Gemstones, recycled and handmade packaging, and 100% recycled gold or fairmined gold.
sasa believes in the connectedness of the entire planet. By recognizing and fostering this connection, jewelry can have a positive impact throughout the entire supply chain. This is not just the connection between business and buyer but the interconnection of the earth, the artisional miners, the makers, and even you. What you buy has complex effects around the world and we hope to encourage productive purchases over destructive consumption.
So is a sasa Sapphire Engagement ring sustainable and ethical?
The Jewelry Glossary Project defines sustainablity as: The successful stewardship of the environment, culture, and economy. With an explanatory note: Within these connected domains, interests can be complimentary or in direct competition with each other. Extraction of finite, non-renewable resources used by the jewelry industry is ultimately environmentally unsustainable. However, in communities where livelihoods are dependent on mining, it can be a tool to catalyze economic development.
The Jewelry Glossary Project defines ethical as: Guided by principles that facilitate environmental and human well-being and avoid practices that do harm.
So the short answer is sort of? Our sourcing is from small scale and artisonal mines that protect the planet as much as possible while also contributing to economic growth of marginalized communities. But in end we are still using none renewable resources in our jewelry. While we consider ourselves much more sustainable and ethical than other mass produced brands, ultimately we don't want to over use the word to confuse or green-wash. We simple choose to use the best current practices to bring more good than harm.
This is a 1.09 carat Light Blue Montana Sapphire Ring. The Montana Sapphire was mined in the El Dorado Bar region of Montana and precision cut in Minnesota by John Dyer in his trademarked SunBurst cut. The stone measures 5.4mm in diameter. This Montana Sapphire goes from bright blue to steel blue/gray depending on the lighting, please email info@sasafine.com for additional photos and videos.
This is 1.08 carat Yellow and Blue Parti Australian Sapphire Ring. The Australian Sapphire was mined in the Central Queensland Gemstones region of Australia from a family-run father and son mining duo and precision cut in Minnesota by John Dyer in his trademarked SunBurst cut.
The blue and yellow zoning make this Sapphire appear green in some angles, impossible to photograph all of its nuances! Please email info@sasafine.com for more photos and video
Sapphire measures 5.7mm in diameter
