A “Change” for FSIL Hot Cocoa!
September 4th, 2008 @ 10:59 am by Miss Hot Cocoa
August 28, 2008 was an awesome day. It was a propitious date on the Chinese calendar (the word “eight” in Chinese is a homophone for prosperity and “two” is a homophone for easy, so 8/28/08 = prosperity, easy prosperity, more prosperity). It was the day of Barack Obama’s historic acceptance speech. And it also happened to be a very special day in the Hot Cocoa family. That night, after a viewing of Obama’s speech in downtown Philly, future sister-in-law Hot Cocoa’s wonderful boyfriend proposed! She said yes, and there was much rejoicing around the country (fireworks in Denver!).
Check out FSIL Hot Cocoa’s unique and beautiful e-ring. She designed it with the help of New York jewelry designer Sarah Perlis, who handmade the ring from 22k gold and adorned it with a pink sapphire center stone and ethically sourced diamond side stones. Since some of you out there might be looking for alternatives to the traditional diamond e-ring, I thought I’d deliver some eco-friendly bling for your viewing enjoyment.
FSIL Hot Cocoa is the most compassionate, empathetic person I know. She feels about trees how I feel about discounted Louboutins (whew—is it getting hot in here? I’m getting flushed… ). This is a woman who used to save insects from drowning in the family Jacuzzi, who fostered chimpanzees in Africa, and who now is pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology so that she can understand and treat social anxiety disorder… in humans and animals. For realz. What I’m trying to say is that she’s an awesome human being. (Am I marrying the wrong sibling here?! LOL.)
So when it came to her ring, she really wanted to find something that would reflect her values and personality. After searching various sites for eco-conscious jewelry, including the useful Greenkarat and Brilliant Earth (from which Mr. HC and I got my e-ring), she happened on Perlis’s designs, which are fashioned from eco-friendly materials. According to Perlis’s site, her collection “incorporates 22k recycled gold and alluvial responsibly mined diamonds, which are panned, not mined.” The company that sources the rough uncut stones reinvests part of its profits back into the community and uses unionized workforces that pay a living wage.
Perlis’s pieces are subtle, organic, unique, and affordable. Oh, she also offers other kinds of jewelry, including the hammered initial necklace below, perfect as a gift for the bridal party (or, who am I kidding, myself).
What do you think of these non-traditional e-rings? Did you have a difficult time finding a ring that matched your personality or values? Do those leaf earrings make you want to go out and hug a tree?
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5 Responses to “A “Change” for FSIL Hot Cocoa!”
Congrats to your FSIL. Lovely rings! I need to check those out–They have so much personality and are just beautiful–all while being eco-friendly. Not a bad way to start things off, I think. 
beautiful!
i love the pink sapphire
Miss Hot Cocoa, Boston/Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 31, JD/PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Medical Student
Engagement Date: May 30, 2008
Wedding Date: March, 2009
Blogging Since: April, 2008
Venue: Ritz Carlton, Marina Del Rey
About Me:
I am a professional student by day and an amateur cupcake taster, bargain shopper, and wedding planner by night. I am obsessed with NPR, the Food Network, paper, dance shows, Anthropologie, post-structuralist theory, Weddingbee!, "The Office," and celebrity gossip. When not procrastinating from my dissertation, I spend time catering to Jellyby, our overly anxious shih tzu, and getting to know Mr. Hot Cocoa. We have only been dating for fifteen years, so it's like I'm in love with a stranger! From the East Coast, we are planning a Jewish-Chinese Extravaganza in L.A., where we both grew up.
Congratulations to your FSIL. And kudos to her for going the non-traditional route & proving that it can be beautiful and eco-meaningful.
And hooray for a pink sapphire–the center stone of my e ring is an amazing pink sapphire.