Diamonds represent beauty and a lifelong promise, but the path they take from being buried in the earth to adorning a person's hand can be marked by controversy around ethics. Ethical diamonds are a good alternative to ensure that the diamond you will purchase is legally sourced and no human rights involved. But what does it mean when a diamond is ethical and how can you know for sure the one you are wearing isn´t a blood diamond like many others out there? Here’s what you need to know.
Ethically sourced diamonds, or conflict-free diamonds, are gemstones that are mined and traded without any human rights abuse, violence and/or environmental damage. Conflict diamonds found their way into the news in the 1990s when diamonds from war torn Africa were known to help bankroll terrorist activities.
As a solution, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was introduced in 2003. Conflict diamonds certification shows the world whether the diamonds have come from a war or conflict free area. Although the Kimberley Process has done good work to stop so-called conflict diamonds, it concentrates primarily on stemming the flow of rough stones that finance wars. It does not touch other ethical considerations such as forced labor and environmental damage.
Consumers wishing to avoid non-conflict diamonds should not limit themselves to the Kimberley Process, remember that a truly ethical diamond is more than just conflict-free, but also about labor practices and environmental sustainability.
The consumer demand for lab-grown diamonds placed them on the map as an ethical choice to mined diamonds. In a laboratory setting through methods that mimic the natural diamond formation process, called CVD and HPHT these types of diamonds are created. It sounds easy, but the end product is a diamond which can go through all the same checks as its mined alternative, being chemically, physically and once the cutting process is completed; visually identical without producing any evidence of environmental or social issues. Below is an example of an oval lab-grown diamond with stone certification and report.
5.02 CT Oval Lab-Grown Diamond
The largest benefits that come with lab-created diamonds are the reduced environmental footprint. Diamond mining can cause deforestation, water pollution and the dislocation of local populations. They are formed in a lab, which makes them environment-friendly and much more sustainable to the real sort of diamonds.
Also, lab created diamonds often tend to have lower prices than the regular mined stones as well.
Conflict free diamonds, or engineered diamonds, are becoming more and more fashionable these days since they redefine beauty. As sources of earth-mined diamonds run out, ethical diamonds like lab-created diamonds will become increasingly significant in the diamond industry in comparison to traditional diamond cultivation. It may become possible to switch to more ethical diamond practices if demand for lab-grown diamonds increases.
Choosing ethical diamonds will support safe diamond sourcing and production in addition to helping to preserve the earth's natural diamond reserves, whether you're shopping for a diamond engagement ring, diamond wedding bands, diamond necklace, diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, or other diamond handcrafted jewelry.
In an effort to properly regulate diamond sources globally, new technologies—like "blockchain"—are emerging that make it easier to identify the origin of the diamond. With complete transparency, its technology is able to follow the diamond's origin and journey to the retail shelves.
Getting and wearing gorgeous engagement rings and other jewelry made of conflict-free diamonds is the best feeling in the world. It is more than simply a picture of the diamond; it tells the tale of the transformation it went through to become a piece of jewelry on your fingers. You are, after all, what you wear. Lab-grown diamonds such as moissanite diamonds are a very clever alternative to mined diamonds. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but their short production durations enable them to be made available quickly.
Inquire about the diamond's provenance and seek out other certifications beyond the Kimberley Process to ensure it is conflict-free. Purchasing diamonds from ethical jewelers is also strongly advised. Be sure the diamond you purchase guarantees safe working conditions, equitable compensation, and ethical mining methods by looking into the transparency and documentation of the seller. Need help in finding conflict free diamonds in Canada? Contact Excel Jewelers today and our expert jewelers will provide the guidance you need!
