Ethical lab grown diamonds are a better choice than mined diamonds due to their environmental impact. You can also upcycle your existing diamonds, which is also a more ethical option than mined diamonds. In this article, we’ll look at why ethical lab grown diamonds are a better option than mined diamonds and the sources of ethical lab grown diamonds. Read on to learn more.
Environmental impact
Diamond mining is a hazardous industry, causing damage to the environment in many ways. For example, one carat of mined diamond generates 1.5 billion times the air pollution than a lab-grown diamond. Additionally, mining a diamond disturbs 100 square feet of land, leaving 5798 pounds of mineral waste behind. Mining operations can also disrupt biodiversity balances, rendering land unusable once they cease. In addition, diamond mining is a dangerous occupation with long histories of human rights violations, child labor, and inhumane treatment of workers. It is also widely known that mined diamonds are often illegally traded, which adds to the environmental impact.
The environmental impact of mined diamonds has been the focus of numerous studies over the last decade. The Diamond Producers Association (DPA) published a study comparing the carbon footprint of mined and lab-grown diamonds. suprnova.xyz The study found that mined diamonds emit about 510 kg of CO2 for each carat polished, while lab-grown diamonds emit just 160 kg. Many mining companies, including De Beers, have worked to minimize their carbon footprint by developing more efficient processes such as mineral carbonation.
Legality of lab-grown diamonds
Despite the widespread belief that mined diamonds are illegal, some companies are trying to bring man-made diamonds into the mainstream. One company, Clean Origin, sells only lab-grown diamonds and targets couples who want to design their own engagement rings. It’s important to understand the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds. The manufacturing Ethical Diamonds processes involved in the process differ from natural diamonds, but lab-grown diamonds are generally of the same chemical and physical properties.
Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revised its Jewelry Guides to include lab-grown diamonds as part of its efforts to combat deceptive advertising. The revision included a change in language allowing the word “cultured” to be used in connection with lab-grown diamonds. This change represents a significant victory for the industry. While the language has some room for improvement, it is still important to follow the guidance.
Cost of lab-grown diamonds
The Kimberly Process certifies that a diamond did not profit a rebel group during its mining process. The certificate does not, however, address the impacts of the diamonds’ production on human rights, worker conditions, and the environment. As a result, there is still no hard and fast rule on the ethical value of lab-grown diamonds. However, the growing popularity of ethical lab-grown diamonds has encouraged more companies to offer them.
Even though lab-grown diamonds are often priced lower than natural diamonds, they are not cheap. In the U.S., a one-carat lab-grown diamond costs around $4,350, compared to $7,275 for a 1.5-carat natural diamond. Though the two types of diamonds share the same characteristics, the difference is due to the mining process. Millennials are especially attracted to these cheaper diamonds because they can be made into beautiful pieces of jewelry that are environmentally friendly and ethical. craftymagazines
Ethical lab-grown diamonds
The diamond industry, like the diamonds themselves, is rife with conflict, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t purchase ethically mined stones. Sources of ethical lab-grown diamonds are transparent and sustainable, and they’re much less expensive. In contrast, blood diamonds have often been used to finance conflict, from Liberia to Sierra Leone. Some sources have even used recycled metals and plant a tree for every diamond purchase.
Conclusion
Although many lab grown diamonds are certified by the Kimberly Process, you shouldn’t be convinced by this certification alone. While the Kimberly Process certificate indicates that the diamond wasn’t mined by a rebel group, it doesn’t address any other impacts, like worker conditions. And it doesn’t offer a hard and fast rule that lab-grown diamonds are more ethical than mined diamonds. Ultimately, fashion is less about material and more about transparency bestnewshunt .
