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The Environmental Impact of Lab Grown Diamonds

Naturally mined diamonds come with a large amount of environmental and social issues. Helping to reduce these issues are lab created diamonds. Read on to discover the environmental impact of both lab grown and naturally mined diamonds.

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rough diamond in hand for assessment by gemmologist
a rough CVD diamond, a rough HPHT diamond and a rough natural diamond

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Introduction

The undisputed champion of gemstones, the diamond has come to embody elegance, luxury and glamour and remains an object of desire for many of us. Whether it’s a timeless diamond pendant or an extravagant diamond engagement ring, everyone deserves to own a piece of diamond jewellery in their lifetime. But with naturally mined diamonds comes a large amount of environmental and social issues, from deforestation, habitat destruction, soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Helping to reduce these issues is lab grown diamonds which are created entirely in a controlled laboratory environment.

The Kimberley Process

It’s important to note that not all naturally mined diamonds have the same level of environmental and social impact on the planet. In 2003, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was launched to regulate the trade of natural diamonds and prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process requires all participating countries to ensure that all natural diamonds are accompanied by a certificate that verifies that they are conflict-free. This certification process is meant to ensure that rough diamonds are not being used to finance armed conflict or human rights abuses.
While the Kimberley Process is primarily focused on the social and political issues associated with diamond mining, it also has some measures in place to improve the environmental implications of natural diamond mining. For example, the Kimberley Process requires participating countries to take steps to minimize the environmental impact of diamond mining operations. This includes implementing environmental management plans, monitoring and minimizing water usage, and rehabilitating mined areas to promote the regrowth of vegetation. In addition, the Kimberley Process has established requirements for the safe handling and disposal of mining waste and tailings.

The Implications of Lab Grown Diamonds

When compared to the mining of natural diamonds, the environmental impact of lab grown diamonds is considerably lower. While natural diamonds are mined from the Earth’s mantle using heavy machinery, lab created diamonds are produced in a strict laboratory setting using more sustainable and eco-friendly methods. It involves no habitat destruction, no wasted rock and soil and less pollution to water and air.
However, as with any industrial process, there are still potential environmental impacts that must be considered when creating synthetic diamonds. For example, lab grown diamond laboratories are still run using a large amount of energy. The source of this energy has a large impact on the carbon footprint of lab created diamonds unless the energy comes from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power. Lab diamonds also use large amounts of water for cooling purposes as well as chemicals such as methane, hydrogen, and argon. While these chemicals are generally considered to be safe and non-toxic, their production and transportation can have an impact on the environment.
In conclusion, the environmental impact of lab grown diamonds is lower than that of naturally mined diamonds and is a perfect solution for consumers looking to reduce their own carbon footprint. Nevertheless, both lab made diamonds and natural diamonds have their unique benefits and appeal, and ultimately the choice between the two will come down to personal preference.