In this exclusive Behind The Brand feature, we spoke with RING BEAR founder, David Schoenfeld, on creating the first line of carbon neutral sustainable men’s wedding bands.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the wedding industry. Every year, couples continue to prioritize going green, from planning eco-conscious weddings to working with designers who use recyclable materials, all the way down to choosing their wedding bands.
David Schoenfeld, the owner of Ring Bear, is helping couples make more sustainable choices.
Founded in 2020, David created the first carbon neutral brand in the men’s wedding ring space using recycled gold, tungsten, and platinum.
David explains, “Ring Bear gold and platinum men’s wedding bands only use 3% of the energy, 1% of the water and emit 1% of the CO2 traditionally required to mine gold.”
This unique process maintains each ring’s value while eliminating the carbon footprint usually associated with fine jewelry production. It also cuts down on costs.
David further shares, “It’s important to us that we offer great options for every budget and provide fair value to our customers, often selling our sustainable and comfortable rings for 30% less than legacy retailers.”
Despite starting his company during Covid, Ring Bear’s popularity skyrocketed. Today, the company’s sustainable men’s wedding bands are a top choice for their durability, sleek designs, and comfort. In 2023, Ring Bear was even dubbed “Most Comfortable” by Forbes.
After spending 10 years at various consumer brands, starting his own company was an exciting new venture for David.
He shares, “Ring Bear is a family-oriented business, and a highlight from my time at Ring Bear has been developing the brand with my sister and collaborating on the website with my brother.”
David credits his passion for making great wedding rings that people are excited to wear from his time developing accessories with Apple. Originally from Los Angeles, his studies of Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan and UCLA Anderson further fueled his inspiration to start his own company.
As we’ve learned more about the environmental impact of climate change I’ve adopted the mindset that we don’t need a few people to practice sustainability perfectly; however we do need the masses to make small changes to act more sustainably. As the Founder of Ring Bear, I’m in a position to provide couples with an easy way to make their wedding more sustainable. We also aim to educate our audience with incremental tips and ideas.
– David Schoenfeld | Founder of Ring Bear
Ultimately, on Earth Day and every day, we can all do better to keep our planet top of mind. And with men’s engagement rings on the rise, why not select a sustainable brand like Ring Bear for your groom-to-be’s wedding day bling?
Keep scrolling below for more from our exclusive Q&A with RING BEAR Founder David Schoenfeld on his inspiration, men’s wedding ring trends, and more.
Click here to browse Ring Bear’s latest collections and use MunaLuchi50 for an exclusive $50 discount!
*This exclusive discount applies to all Ring Bear Wedding Bands on ringbear.com except men’s gifting items.
A note to our readers: This article contains affiliate links. By purchasing items via the links on this page, MunaLuchi may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Tell us about your design process: what inspires you?
Inspired by my time working on product development with Apple, I focus on both utility and aesthetics when designing our wedding bands.
At Ring Bear, we focus on how our wedding rings will integrate into his daily life. Before launch, we tested numerous design iterations to ensure our rings are substantial without being bulky, and easy to take on and off. We traditionally produce our handmade rings in 1-2 weeks and have even delivered within 48 hours in emergency cases; however, we don’t recommend that avoidable stress.
RING BEAR utilizes recycled gold and platinum which have all the value without the carbon footprint. Ring Bear gold and platinum men’s wedding bands only use 3% of the energy, 1% of the water and emit 1% of the CO2 traditionally required to mine gold.
– David Schoenfeld | Founder of Ring Bear
We aim to give couples more choices than previous generations had without being overwhelming by offering new colors like black and different finishes like Matte or Brushed. Our Flat design in 14K Gold is increasingly popular as it offers a modern style in a heritage metal.
It’s important to us that we offer great options for every budget and provide fair value to our customers, often selling our sustainable and comfortable rings for 30% less than legacy retailers.
What wedding band trends are you predicting for 2024?
Thinner men’s wedding bands.
For ages, American men have worn a gold 6mm Domed (Classic) shaped band meanwhile, in European and other cultures it’s more common to wear a thinner 2mm or 3mm wedding band. As gender norms evolve in the US and influences come from a wider range of inspiration, we expect thinner bands to be increasingly popular. Plus, with thinner bands couples can get high-quality materials like 14K Gold or Platinum while staying on budget.
Matching wedding bands with Watches.
Watches are poised to be culturally relevant in 2024 and a popular investment for guys getting married, even if resale prices have peaked. We’ve seen a bit of this in the past and expect substantially more guys this year to pick their wedding band based on what metal best complements their watch. By matching metals, it looks natural on both the day of photos and everyday wear thereafter. For example our Flat Platinum pairs with a Steel, White Gold, or Platinum watch just as this two-toned wedding band pairs with a two-toned watch.
Stacking Rings.
2024 will be the widest adoption of men’s engagement rings and more guys will stack their engagement rings with their wedding bands. This aligns with the thinner wedding band trend and the growing trend of men wearing more jewelry. In 2024 you’ll see more guys making bold choices to mix metals with a 14K Gold engagement band stacked with a Platinum wedding band.
Sustainability.
Couples will choose eco-friendly options like lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold rings more than any previous year to better align their purchases with their values. 2024 will see the highest percentage of couples incorporate sustainable choices into their wedding and this will extend into jewelry. Customers today are smart and know to beware of greenwashing and are choosing to support brands that are actually conscious about their environmental impact.
How do you hope to impact the wedding industry and highlight the importance of taking care of the environment?
Historically, the wedding industry created a lot of waste by nature of being a one-time event. By providing customers with an easy way to incorporate sustainability into their wedding we hope to inspire other sustainable swaps without sacrificing the celebration.
Why should grooms (and brides) choose Ring Bear for their engagement and wedding bands?
Ring Bear provides a convenient experience for finding a wedding band that aligns with their values and they’ll enjoy for years to come. As Forbes stated, our rings are the “most comfortable” making them great for guys who wear lots of jewelry as well as those who have never worn a ring prior. With the option to Try Rings Before You Buy, we enable customers to explore what width, style, color, etc. is right for them. After determining their preference we offer free engraving to personalize your wedding band!
Why is partnering with brands like MunaLuchi important to you?
We appreciate the opportunity to bring awareness to our sustainability efforts with MunaLuchi. MunaLuchi’s dedication to celebrating multicultural couples aligns with our commitment to crafting wedding rings that honor the unique journey of every couple. This partnership allows us to connect with couples who share our values and are looking for wedding rings that not only symbolize their love but also their commitment to the planet and ethical craftsmanship. With further awareness and education, we believe the wedding industry will act more sustainably.
Share any exciting updates we can look forward to. Where can we purchase your rings?
Please check out our assortment of men’s wedding bands at ringbear.com. Using the code MunaLuchi50 provides couples with an exclusive discount of $50 off their men’s wedding band.
To help pick out his wedding band, our Try Before You Buy Kit is a popular option for couples to try on up to 5 rings from the comfort of their home to determine their preference!
We just expanded our assortment to provide more styles, colors, and finishes that are live on our site. This spring we are launching a collection* in collaboration with a member of the Atlanta Braves in time for wedding season.
*The Austin Riley Collection is LIVE!
RING BEAR teamed up with Major League Baseball player, Austin Riley, All-Star third baseman for the Atlanta Braves on an exclusive line of men’s wedding rings. This exciting collaboration brings together Ring Bear’s jewelry expertise with Riley’s personal style, interests, and commitment to family.
I’m proud to team up with Ring Bear on this collection that reflects my love of family, baseball and being outdoors. These rings are lightweight, versatile, and allow me to switch them up based on the occasion.
– Austin Riley
Looking for more sustainable wedding inspiration?
Click here.
Browse Ring Bear’s latest men’s wedding band collections here. Use MunaLuchi50 for an exclusive $50 discount!
*This exclusive discount applies to all Ring Bear Wedding Bands on ringbear.com except men’s gifting items.
A note to our readers: This article contains affiliate links. By purchasing items via the links on this page, MunaLuchi may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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