We’re overjoyed to see an ever increasing number of people advocating worthy causes online and on social media. It seems that people are inevitably more aware of issues because they now spread so much more easily, but what it’s amazing to see that people are becoming ever more comfortable to publicly endorsing and supporting issues they care about.

The most recent example of this was of course the case of Cecil the Lion who was shot by trophy hunter, Walter Palmer. We've discussed trophy hunting before on our blog and it has featured highly on our list of supported causes...

http://www.madediamonds.co.uk/luxury-with-integrity.html

http://www.bornfree.org.uk/animals/lions/projects/trophy-import-ban/

Of course the loss of Cecil was a tragedy, but the good people of the internet seem intent on ensuring he did not die in vain, by raising awareness and urging change.

Whilst it is relatively easy to show allegiance to causes with our words (and this is always better than nothing!), the next step becomes showing solidarity in your purchasing habits. How many people who tweeted and posted about Cecil did so whilst wearing a diamond ring which was obtained by destroying the habitats of desperately endangered species? Granted, awareness of all of these issues is on the rise and in the distant past it was definitely not common knowledge that diamonds caused as much damage as they do so we must forgive anyone who participated in the diamond market before knowing of the disgraceful truth.

However, our point here is that so many of those who showed allegiance with Cecil, and so many other great causes, would not think twice about purchasing, receiving or wearing a natural diamond, even though they very well know of the dark side of diamonds (really, who doesn't know nowadays?). To many this would be an inconvenient truth swept under the carpet in a bluster of romance, and the painful reality would remain an unspoken truth.

We must be clear, we love the new trend towards more people openly supporting incredible causes using social media, but it really is just paying lip service to the causes if your values and your beliefs aren't reflected in your actions. 

Thankfully an ever growing number of people (however a minuscule percentage of the whole) are not only becoming aware of issues and sharing them, but they are proudly living up to their values by opting for a more ethical diamond engagement ring, rather than endorsing the diamond industry responsible for unimaginably more harm than one dentist from Minnesota.

We create our own ring designs, we cut out the middleman and we work directly with our customers. For this reason we’re able to offer our rings at a price that represents unbelievable value.

The kind of ring that would normally cost significantly more from a traditional retailer (whether physical or online), we are able to provide for a fraction of the price. When you combine our pricing with the quality obtained from our traditionally handcrafted workmanship, we believe it results in an overall offering that is truly something special.

Price of course plays a huge role in perceptions, particularly with a purchase like an engagement ring, and we can sometimes fall victim to a mentality that low price equals low quality. But what makes us unique is not that we’re just providing something that’s simply cheap, it is that the overall value proposition we’re offering is remarkable, with a such a high quality at such a low price by cutting out the middleman. Companies in all kinds of other industries are implementing this model with amazing success, and in turn, challenging the traditional models and the perceptions of customers.

So it’s really not that we’re "low price" that we like to focus on, it’s that we’re delivering real value for money and at the end of the day you shouldn't have to pay the huge prices that traditional jewellery retailers charge when you can get a ring that is as good or better quality at a more logical and reasonable price. Of course we have to make enough of a margin to successfully continue doing what we’re doing, but we are able to do that whilst still providing remarkable value, and our customers seem to agree.

Natural diamonds aren't anywhere near as special as the decades of slick marketing have made you believe. The fact that they have taken millions of years to be formed should not be viewed as remarkable, this could be said for so many other substances that we do not class as remotely special! Natural diamonds are also really nowhere near as rare as we often perceive, it is simply the tightly controlled supply of natural diamonds into the market that keeps prices high.

If you've been intent on buying a natural diamond we urge you to consider your rationale behind this decision. When an alternative exists which performs identically to a natural diamond, why would you directly endorse an industry responsible for decades of suffering and ecological devastation? 

In an age where throwaway fashion is gathering pace, it's important to ask whether traditional craftsmanship still has a role to play in the production of our goods. The answer is yes. People still appreciate the finer things in life, and not to mention those that will always manage to stand the test of time.

There has been no let-up in sales of premium goods - and with plenty of reason. Consumers are keen to invest in pieces that they know will hold their value or even appreciate over time, which is something the throwaway fashion world simply can't lay claim to.

Meeting Consumer Needs

How people choose to indulge their passion for all things exclusive varies, but jewellery is one purchase that many buyers are still keen to make. 

Consumers will never cease to appreciate traditional craftsmanship. This is why companies offering this standard of jewellery have been around for decades, as people know they can rely on them for quality goods that are both valuable now and well into the future. 

Even when the UK economy bore the brunt of the global financial crisis back in 2008, demand for quality goods nevertheless remained strong. In fact, those who were in the position to do so bought products in the hope that they would appreciate in value - and they are now reaping the rewards.

Traditional Craftsmanship is Never out of Fashion

Although production methods may have come on leaps and bounds over recent decades, there's still a demand for all things traditional. After all, there's unlikely to be as much love, care and attention put into pieces produced using contemporary methods.

Machines can only go so far in creating the type of jewellery that is likely to attract the attention of anyone with an eye for detail. The role of the craftsman is just as important today as it was centuries ago - and the rising prices of traditionally made goods are only testament to this fact.

Competition may have grown in the jewellery sector, but the crucial factor is that quality has stood the test of time. Costume pieces appeal to quite a different market to those with intrinsic value, which is why it is never likely to pose a genuine threat to the industry.

Our Commitment to Quality

Here at MADE Diamonds, we limit all of our ring designs to just 100 pieces. This way, you can rest assured that you are purchasing a piece that won't simply be run off the production line. You also have the choice of 18K White Gold, 18K Yellow Gold or 950 Platinum - three quality precious metals that have been used for centuries.

We have been in the business for several decades, during which time we've seen various new production techniques come and go. However, MADE Diamonds understands that people have an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, which is why we'll never stray from what we know best.

We believe strongly that the products you purchase, and of course the items you wear, should represent your values and your beliefs. This should be the case regardless of the nature of the product, but an engagement ring couldn't be more critical when it comes to making absolutely sure you can really be truly proud of your choice in a product.

If you care even a little bit about environmental sustainability and the precious eco system of our earth, a natural diamond engagement ring is quite simply something that should never be considered as an option. Natural diamonds are deeply ingrained in our culture and so many people have been conditioned to believe they are far superior than any other alternative.

So many couples out there would never even consider anything other than a natural diamond due to a lack of knowledge about any kind of plausible alternative. However for a rapidly growing sub-section of people in the UK, endorsing and supporting an industry which directly causes horrific destruction to the earth is not something they want to be part of. They want an engagement ring that represents integrity and honesty. So if you're looking for an engagement ring, for yourself or your significant other, join the many couples opting for an engagement ring they can really be proud of.