Green and Ethical diamonds: Conscious Luxury for a Changing World

Some call it ‘Green Diamonds’, others call it ‘Diamonds of the Future’, we call it ‘Conscious Luxury’!

Diamonds have long been associated with beauty, status and royalty. Demand for diamonds is forecasted to reach nearly 292 million carats valued at over £68.5 billion. However, their origins have always remained controversial for years. Lab-grown diamonds offer a revolutionary alternative — identical in sparkle, but far lighter on the Earth and its people.

Let’s delve into the environmental impact of natural diamond mining and how lab grown diamonds offer a sustainable alternative.

Table of content: 

 

1. Origins of Natural Diamonds

 

Natural Diamonds are primarily extracted from countries like Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, Australia, and Tanzania - regions known for their diamond deposits. They are retrieved using various mining methods, including open-pit mining, underground mining, and marine or alluvial mining.

Countries with at least 50,000 carats of natural gem-quality diamond production in 2019

Image Source: ICL Consultant Report

 

The pipeline deposits are blasted using explosives and the fragments are further crushed to extract diamonds. Vast amounts of energy, land and resources are used in the entire process which cannot be ignored

2. Environmental Impact of Mined Diamonds

a. Forests Flattened, Habitats Destroyed: 

Large tracts of land need to be cleared for large quarries and open pits which leads to massive deforestation and habitat destruction. Often, these mining operations are not managed properly which leads to massive loss of habitat and vegetation, crucial to local wildlife and surrounding communities.

b. Erosion that Outlives the Mine: 

The excavation and extraction process without proper reclamation efforts can lead to excessive soil erosion. It harms agriculture as the soil is deprived of essential nutrients, significantly affecting its fertility. Excessive mining may damage the land so badly that it can no longer be cultivated and will  ultimately be abandoned. 

c. Toxic Waters & Dying Ecosystems: 

Water is excessively used in diamond mining, especially in washing and processing of extracted core. This contaminates the neighbouring water bodies which can be devastating for the species and the community dependent on it.

 

 Water Pollution from Diamond Mining

Image Source: Ethica Diamonds

 

In addition, seabed mining and marine dredging can harm coral reefs, disrupt marine ecosystems, and damage coastal habitats, putting marine biodiversity and fisheries at risk.

 

Contaminated River Body near a Diamond Mine

Image Source: Wikipedia

d. Luxury That Lingers in the Lungs: 

The heavy industrial activity releases pollutants in the air. The fuel used in generators and vehicles pollutes air and emits greenhouse gasses. These heavily degrade the quality of air and pose significant health risks for the neighbouring communities. In 2022, one diamond mine emitted 727 pounds of CO2 per carat, totalling 164,900 metric tons for the year

 

Toxic Emissions from Diamond Mines

3. Blood Diamonds: The Dark Legacy of Conflict Diamonds

 

Every diamond sparkle above ground,  they often mask the pain endured below. For the past 2 decades, diamond mining has been linked to civil wars and human rights violations, particularly in parts of Western & Central Africa. 

The United Nations (UN) defined blood diamonds as: 

“Any diamond that is mined in areas controlled by forces opposed to the legitimate, internationally recognised government of a country and that is sold to fund military action against that government.”

 

The Tragedy of Blood Diamonds

Image Source: Etonomics

 

Simply put, blood diamonds or conflict diamonds, are mined in war zones and are sold to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments. These diamonds have been linked to severe human rights abuses, including forced labour, violence, and exploitation. Although The Kimberley Process (2003) was established to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the global market, it hasn’t been effective due to weak enforcement and loopholes.

4. A Scar on Earth You Can See from Space

 

Once a symbol of diamond wealth, the Mirny Mine in Siberia now stands as a stark reminder of mining’s environmental cost, displacing ecosystems, releasing pollutants, and leaving behind a gaping wound visible from space.

 

The Mir (Mirny) Mine

Image Source: Wikipedia

5. Lab Grown Diamonds: The Green & Ethical Choice

 

Lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories, mimicking the way natural diamonds are formed under the earth. They are created using the High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) method or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Lab Diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds.

It's important to understand what these choices can mean for you as a buyer. So, let’s break down the environmental footprint of a 1-carat mined diamond compared to a lab-grown one.

 

A Look at Waste, Emissions & Water Use

Chart Source: Green Lab Diamonds & Grown Diamond Corp

 

Table Source: Global Extraction Networks

Conclusion

 

The future of luxury lies not in soil, but innovation. The environmental impact of mined diamonds is undeniably significant. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds offer a crucial alternative. Let your next diamond be more than just beautiful; let it be meaningful.

Conscious choices shine brighter, so what will your diamond speak for? By choosing lab-grown diamonds, you enjoy their beauty and luxury without contributing to the harmful practices making them a green and ethical choice for the future.