Which is more ethical: natural diamonds have been mined from the earth or lab-grown diamonds that have been created by man? If you’ve seen any advertising from the new lab-grown diamond brands that have popped up in the past few years, you might think you know the answer to that question.
But are lab grown diamonds really better for the earth or for us?Whether these products are called “lab grown diamonds,” “created diamonds,” “cultured diamonds,” “grown diamonds,” “synthetic diamonds,” “man-made diamonds,” or “cultivated diamonds,” understanding more about the manufacturing process and the differences between mining and manufacturing may change your opinions on which option is right for you.
Before you make a decision, there here are eight surprising facts about diamonds and lab-grown diamonds that you need to know.
1. It Takes a Lot of Energy to Grow Diamonds
The claim that man-made diamonds are better for the environment leaves out one important fact: making diamonds requires a lots of energy. The presses and reactors that are used to manufacture created diamonds operate at a very high heat and pressure for very long periods of time while the synthetic diamond crystalizes. The environmental impact of that energy use depends on how the energy is produced. So it’s not enough to know that a diamond is lab-grown to know if it’s better for the environment. If environmental impact is why you are considering a lab-grown diamond, you need to ask questions about how the diamond was grown. If a lab-grown diamond is produced using renewable energy, it’s much better for the environment than if it’s produced using energy from fossil fuels. Some producers also offset their energy use by purchasing carbon credits. At RockHer we source our lab-grown diamonds from producers who have pledged that they will be carbon neutral by 2022.2. Most Lab Grown Diamonds Aren’t “Eco-Friendly”
In addition to the environmental cost of the energy it takes to manufacture diamonds, the raw materials used are mined, as are the metals used to make the machinery, and the chemical catalysts used during the process. According to Dr Saleem H. Ali of the University of Delaware, a definitive study that compares the ecological impact of man-made and mined diamonds is not currently possible, due to the lack of data on the raw materials used in the lab-grown diamond manufacturing process. Compared to most of the mining industry, diamond mining has a relatively small environmental footprint and no chemicals are used. According to the Diamond Producers Association, the carbon footprint of a 1 carat polished, natural diamond is smaller than that of most CVD synthetic diamonds of similar size. But even if lab-grown diamonds do have less environmental impact than mined diamonds, they can’t legally be called “eco friendly.” According to the Federal Trade Commission Green Guides, comparative claims are not enough to justify environmental benefits. Lab-grown producers can’t say that their product is good because another product is less good: they need to document actual benefits to the environment that they are creating. If a retailer tells you that lab-grown diamonds are “environmentally friendly” you know one thing for sure: they are stretching the truth about at least one thing! At RockHer, we’re happy to sell you a beautiful lab-grown diamond without making any misleading claims. LINK TO STUDYhttps://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jbioec/v19y2017i1d10.1007_s10818-016-9241-8.html
Green Guides: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/truth-advertising/green-guides
3. Switching Away From Mined to Lab-Grown Diamonds Puts Millions of Jobs at Risk
The diamond sector provides a livelihood for 10 million people globally, including 1.5 million artisanal and small-scale miners and their families in Africa and South America, who uncover 15% of the world’s diamonds. Diamond mining contributes approximately $7.6 billion per year to Africa. Botswana, which has risen out of poverty, has become a showcase of democracy and development thanks to diamonds, which account for 71% of export revenue, 16% of government revenue and 16% of the gross domestic product.
Mining is a major source of employment in many developing nations around the world without very many other options for employment. Social responsibility is as important ethically as environmental responsibility.
In contrast, manufacturing synthetic diamonds doesn’t generate very many jobs or fuel economic development. The new De Beers sponsored lab-grown diamond brand Lightbox plans to open a 60,000-square-foot diamond factory in Oregon this year. It will produce 500,000 rough carats of lab-grown diamonds a year but will employ only 60 people. But the employment from mining or manufacturing diamonds is just one part of the picture for your engagement ring. But natural and lab grown diamonds are cut and polished in exactly the same way buy about a million cutters around the world. At RockHer we can trace our natural diamonds at each step from mine to our hands. We are one of the first retailers in the country to offer transparent diamond sourcing. Manufacturing jewelry also employs many people around the world, many in large factories in developing countries. At RockHer, we make all our jewelry to order at our Los Angeles studio, providing employment for dozens of skilled craftspeople in California. We’re proud to be a great place to work. When you think about your engagement ring, think about every step in its journey, not just the first step.
