{"id":60638,"date":"2022-04-15T12:58:19","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T10:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heylilahey.com\/?p=60638"},"modified":"2022-04-15T12:58:56","modified_gmt":"2022-04-15T10:58:56","slug":"nachhaltige-labor-diamanten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heylilahey.com\/en\/nachhaltige-labor-diamanten\/","title":{"rendered":"Lab-grown diamonds: Are they the sustainable option?"},"content":{"rendered":"\"\"<\/p>\n

(German version here<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

I am a huge jewelry lover! I actually always wear at least one piece of jewelry, either earrings, a necklace or since our wedding a ring. It was clear to me before our engagement that I definitely did not want a ring with a “new” diamond. I simply do not want to support this dirty business. Personally, I am very skeptical that such a thing as an “ethical diamond” exists. I applaud any project or company that advocates ethical sourcing of gemstones, but I am still very skeptical. I know how difficult it is already in fashion to create a completely transparent supply chain. When it comes to diamonds, I imagine it’s a thousand times more difficult.<\/p>\n

My engagement ring is made up of diamonds from an old ring from Jesse’s grandmother. The diamonds were taken off and put into a newly designed ring that fits me perfectly in terms of style and size. So the second hand option was a great one for me. At that time, however, I honestly didn’t know about another eco alternative: lab-grown diamonds.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But what are lab-grown diamonds anyway, how are they made, are they really sustainable, are there any drawbacks, and can they be considered “real”? To find out, I teamed up with the Swedish sustainable jewelry company Akind<\/a>. This post is a paid collaboration with Akind and as always, I only work with companies that I believe are moving sustainable, innovative and ethical products forward.<\/em><\/p>\n

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At Akind<\/a> it is all about sustainable materials, fair and transparent prices, and exceptional quality. All jewelry is made from recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. This is to protect the environment, animals and people.<\/p>\n

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\nMaterials & production<\/strong><\/p>\n

Akind jewelry is made of 100% recycled 14K solid gold. This way, the pieces do not oxidize or discolor. The 14 karat gold is more durable and harder than 18 karat and does not bend or wear as easily. <\/p>\n

The diamonds are sustainably grown “above ground”. They’re grown in a lab that replicates the same conditions under which diamonds are created underground, but which requires only a fraction of the resources needed to mine them. More on that below. All of Akind’s diamonds come in VS2+ clarity and D-F color.<\/p>\n

The production is located in Andalusia, Spain, where the jewelry is handcrafted by a third-generation family business. Transparency is key for Akind and that is why the company discloses the true costs behind the production process. The website explains the honest pricing in more detail.<\/p>\n

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New Launch: Special Occasion Rings from Akind<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today Akind is launching something new and exciting: Special Occasion Rings<\/a> for all kind of occasions. Of course, these timeless solitaire rings are also set with lab-grown diamonds. So if you’re looking for an engagement ring, anniversary ring, or something similar, you may find it here. <\/p>\n

Details about the rings: they come as a 6 prong diamond, 0.5 carat, a 4 prong diamond, 0.5 carat in oval cut, and a 6 prong diamond, 0.25 carat.<\/p>\n

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But now to the big questions: How exactly are diamonds grown, are they “real” diamonds, what about sustainability? Here is a quick FAQ:<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Click the individual boxes to expand the answer):<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow are diamonds grown in a lab?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\nThey grow in a laboratory using cutting-edge technology that mimics the natural diamond growth process. To begin the process, a small piece of carbon is cut out of existing diamonds. In other words a “seed”, which is then placed in a sealed chamber heated to temperatures as high as the outer layer of the sun. In this way, the diamond grows atom by atom until a rough diamond is produced that resembles a diamond that comes from a mine. It takes about 6 to 12 weeks for a diamond to grow.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAre lab-grown diamonds 'real' diamonds?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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Yes, they are! Lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds. A little hard to believe at first, but in fact they are real diamonds.<\/p>\n

Think of it this way: The idea is similar to planting a tree in a greenhouse as opposed to cutting down a tree in a forest. Yes, there are some differences in growing it, but you would call both “real” wood, wouldn’t you?<\/p>\n

Of course, there is still prejudice against lab-grown diamonds. The traditional mined diamond is often still referred to as the “only real” one. Especially in the traditional jewelry industry, there is simply still the approach that mined diamonds are the only “real” ones. Of course, this is partially due to the fact that laboratory diamonds are also a big competitor. They are cheaper despite the same or sometimes even better quality. But what counts for me personally, and here everyone must form their own opinion, is not “the industry”, but the customers and the supply chain: As I said, it is physically and chemically AND optically the same product. You just bypass all the dirty business that a diamond from mining brings with it (especially if the lab relies on renewable energies etc., see below).<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan you grade lab-grown diamonds the same as traditional diamonds?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\nYes, lab-created diamonds can be graded by the same 4C characteristics (color, cut, clarity, and carat). To that end, they are just as unique as any other diamond: lab-created diamonds are not mass-produced simulation stones that are all the same. In fact, they are grown from a seed, so to speak, and go through the same growth process as mined diamonds.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAre all lab-grown diamonds sustainable?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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This is a more complicated topic. Every new product consumes resources. We already know this from the fashion industry. Of course, second-hand is one of the most sustainable options here. But buying new can still make sense: Better available sizes and styles, less research effort and time, supporting ethical companies that can drive new product innovation and legislations (see the successful Fair by Law petition). So for me personally, new can also be a sustainable choice.<\/p>\n

In diamonds, it’s also an ethical question: I simply don’t want to directly support the exploitative mining of diamonds. What this includes is not only inhumane working conditions, but also the issues of wildlife displacement, groundwater pollution, deforestation, cartel pricing, child labor, and displacement of local communities. So for me, lab-grown diamonds are the more ethical option. Still, the process of growing a diamond in the lab is a very energy-intensive process. One must not forget that. So it is important that the jewelry company focuses on using renewable energy and the reduction of resources in order to be considered sustainable.<\/p>\n

According to Akind, their main diamond supplier is the only 100% CO2 neutral diamond producer in the world. Renewable solar and wind energy sources are used to produce diamonds. They also ensure that each sustainably produced diamond is fully traceable and transparently priced. In addition, Akind uses 100% recycled gold sourced from RJC certified suppliers for all jewelry. This gold is more environmentally friendly than mining new gold and reduces additional human and environmental uncertainties associated with the material.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n

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I was able to test three products from Akind (as a loan): <\/strong><\/p>\n