It’s a wonderful concept to use any exclusive gemstone including diamond to reset or recycle them into creating a completely new piece of jewelry. It can be an estate diamond, heirloom diamond, or a simple piece that’s passed from one generation to another. But many couples believe that they should go for a new diamond as a symbol of their new start. When this is the case, lab-grown diamonds are the most practical eco-friendly solution you can think of.
Table of Contents
What is the environmental impact of natural diamonds?
Every year, more people are going for lab-grown diamonds. It’s a sustainable choice that brings down the environmental impact of natural diamonds. Many of us think that the Kimberley process can ensure stemming the flow of conflict diamonds. But the diamond supply chain is highly convoluted and a single piece of diamond passes more than twenty hands. This makes it almost impossible to ensure that the natural diamond you buy is completely conflict-free.
Moreover, carbon and energy emissions are the vital negative impacts of natural diamonds. After all, moving such hefty substances underground requires a good amount of energy, coming from fossil fuels. They release various greenhouse gases including carbon while maintenance of these facilities also involves substantial energy consumption. On the flip side, when you opt for lab-grown radiant cut diamond, you can easily stay above these issues.
Mined diamonds also have an undeniable effect on our ecosystems. Diamond mining unsettles a large area close to its site, which harms local ecosystems. You will come across various instances of soil pollution and polluted water supply caused due to diamond mining. In some parts of the world, wildlife, livestock, and even the local people have no other choice but to consume contaminated water.
Although mining techniques have been improved in the last decades, the impact of diamond mining on oceans deserves mention. This is particularly true in the case of marine diamond mining in the oceans. Even though the entire bulk of sediment moved while mining returns to the original place, the process might take around a decade.
The long-term consequences of marine mining are not known as the practice has been recently developed. Several environmentalists also voice their concern about the effect of machinery use, noise, and light on the inhabitants of the ocean along with the existing challenges of climate change and pollution.
Are lab-grown diamonds truly sustainable alternatives to natural diamonds?
The environmental effect of lab-grown diamonds varies based on the local regulations and policies of the diamond makers. You can rest assured that the diamonds you buy from Rarecarat.com are free from these negative environmental effects. The diamonds are cultivated in such a way that the environmental impact and emissions are considerably reduced.
Lab-grown diamonds are a great alternative to natural diamonds due to their sustainability. The mining of your Asscher cut diamond will never cause environmental damage as compared to mining. Also, there is no relation between lab-grown diamonds and acid mine drainage or air pollution caused due to mining. Most importantly, unethical diamond mining leads to the destruction of ecosystems and abuses human rights.
Another important aspect that deserves mention here is that creating a lab made diamond will consume very little energy. The radiant cut diamond that you are eyeing recently is created in a controlled environment using diamond seeds in a chamber rich in carbon. They are formed atomically over a span of years under regulated pressure and heat. These laboratories are endowed with a safe ambience. The only fuel required in its production is electricity. Also, this electricity is produced using renewable sources.
It’s evident that lab-grown diamonds are much better compared to their natural counterparts. When these gems are mined from the interior layers of the earth, they require substantial amounts of hydrocarbons and electricity. Both these elements result in greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. Also, large amounts of chemicals, water, and other hazardous elements are used in the process of mining.
Final words
Although both are real stones, you can never compare the environmental impact between a mined diamond and a lab made diamond. That’s because the latter is eco-friendly and comes with reduced waste and well-regulated waste disposal. If you are considering buying your next diamond piece, consider going for a greener option from Rare Carat.
