A lab grown diamond is made of carbon, just as a mined diamond is. However, the history of diamonds mined from the earth has long been associated with environmental destruction and conflict. In the countries of Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola, raw diamonds were smuggled away from those who should have profited from mined products and routed into the purchase of arms for civil war.
Top Quality
One of the many benefits of lab-grown diamonds is that they are flawless. Because there is no variation in the heat and pressure they are subjected to, buyers can take confidence in their clarity and sparkle. Whether you choose a round radiant diamond, intensely faceted for brilliance, or a more sedately cut Asscher diamond, you can be certain that your stone will not contain any flaws, fractures, or inclusions to mark the flashes of light produced by your diamond.
No Visual Difference
Unless you are a skilled jeweler with the right equipment, you will not be able to tell the difference between a mined diamond and a lab-grown diamond. Jewelers will be able to see the mark on the base of the stone that indicates the lab and lot, but nobody looking at your diamond will be able to tell the difference.
Fair Pay
Sadly, history has long demonstrated that natural wealth often does not benefit the people who harvest that wealth or those who should benefit from the wealth of the region. When you buy a lab grown diamond, you can be sure that the stone was grown by people who received fair compensation for their time and expertise.
Traceability
Because you can study the certifications produced by the lab that grew your diamond, you have traceability to confirm that your stone was produced according to the laws of the land. There are also lab-grown diamond associations that make it possible for shoppers to find a lab-grown diamond grown in their own country.
Long Lasting
A lab-grown diamond is just as hard as a mined diamond and will last just as long. Chemically, there is no difference between a lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond, unless the mined diamond is marked by inclusions of different materials than carbon.
Environmental Considerations
It should be noted that the creation of lab-grown diamonds does require a lot of electrical power. It's heat and pressure that turns carbon into diamonds. However, even ethically sourced mined diamonds require a great deal of environmental upheaval to reach. Tons of earth must be moved to reach diamonds deep in the earth. The release of greenhouse gases when that much soil is moved is extremely destructive.
Once a diamond mine has been fully harvested, it's not uncommon for those who own the mines to abandon the site. Because open-pit mines can encompass several acres, the impact on local communities can be quite devastating. Over time, these pits can collapse in on themselves or fill with water, creating a silted pond that can never drain effectively. This may require that water pathways be re-routed or existing bodies of water damaged by run-off when all of that soil is moved. There is also a practice of marine mining for diamonds, which may put more pressure on our oceans.
If you are concerned about the environment, looking for an alternative to any mined gemstone is a wise choice. Currently, there are labs producing diamonds using solar power, which greatly reduces the environmental impact of the energy requirements of lab-grown diamonds.
Finite Resource
Ultimately, diamonds harvested from the earth will all be gathered up. Lab-grown diamonds are an inexhaustible resource, and if buyers can choose to purchase those that are grown via sustainable energy, the industry will continue to move in that direction. Diamonds are one of the few industries that can be easily directed by conscious, thoughtful consumers. As producers advance their manufacturing processes and labs become more efficient, consumers have the chance to purchase diamonds with very little ecological impact that have been ethically produced.
If you are considering the purchase of a diamond for a loved one or a special event, take a look at the beautiful offerings from Rare Carat. This country has a very high rating (4.9 out of 5) as a supplier to other businesses, both on Google Business and on Trustpilot. Additionally, you can celebrate your loved one with an ethically sourced, environmentally friendly treasure.
