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Lab-grown diamonds: Would you flaunt one?
Conventionally mined diamonds cause thousands of deaths a year and support brutal regimes. Lab-grown clones are far more ethical.
Fri, Sep 21 2012 at 12:30 PM
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Photo: afagen/flickr
I have long editorialized against diamonds; that a supposed symbol of love and commitment comes on the backs of abused miners and diamond-finishers the world over is one of society's many pathetic and disturbing ironies. Diamond mining destroys lives, the environment, it and funds wars (see stats below).
• Angola's civil war has left half a billion dead and 86,000 maimed. About $3.7 billion in diamonds was pocketed by UNITA, the rebel movement in Angola, between 1992 and 1999 alone.
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo's war continues today, with rebels and armies from neighboring countries and the DRC committing atrocities. The ongoing violence has left 2.5 million dead and millions of people displaced to date. Hundreds of millions of dollars in diamonds are stolen or smuggled out every year.
• On Aug. 27, two miners were killed and four others injured in an explosion at ALROSA's Udachinsky mining plant in the Yakutia Republic.
But if you are still attached to the idea of giving (or receiving) a diamond, there are some great alternatives from lab-grown diamonds — which also happen to cost 25 percent less than those that are mined and fund wars. And since diamonds are just simple carbon chains (as a former geologist, I can tell you that they are perhaps the world's most simple and boring hunks of gem), even diamond experts can't tell the difference between diamonds dug from the Earth (polluting it along the way) and those that are made in a lab. Because diamonds have so little complexity, producing them is a straightforward process.
This is why they are called CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) diamonds, according to producer Washington Diamonds:
"A CVD diamond is grown from a small diamond seed, which adds vaporized carbon atoms one by one to create a larger diamond. This process is known as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). CVD diamonds are chemically and visually indistinguishable from mined diamonds and experts cannot identify them even through inspection."
CVD diamonds are also U.S.-made, so they don't have to be shipped as far, and better yet, American jobs are created when people buy these gems. "
If I didn't think that diamonds were incredibly boring and cold-looking, I would consider such a gem. What do you think? Would you opt for a conflict-free, lab-grown diamond?
Related green living story on MNN: How to make your wedding day green
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"Angola's civil war has left half a billion dead"
I hardly think so. Angola's entire population is under 20 million. Fail, and along the way you tainted the rest of your statements as well, especially after claiming long familiarity and expertise in this topic.
I've worn a lab-made diamond (total weight about 3.5 carets) since I got married 20+ years ago. I love it and no one knows but my husband and me, and our insurance company.
There are other, natural alternatives to conflict diamonds. Canadian diamonds are safe to purchase. I went with vintage diamonds for my and my ex's rings. Rings from the early 1900s are gorgeous! However, BE WARNED, if you buy a diamond from a jeweler, you'll never be able to resell for what you paid. I thought that diamonds were a wise investment, but I was wrong. Buying from a private seller or pawn/thrift shop is a much smarter choice if you must have a diamond ring.
Why to fight or killing over these filthy diamonds u will not get full money back when u go to sell them . So why nt use cvd made iamonds cheap pretty and guit free.
I wouldn't flaunt any diamond. First, there is too much death and child labor associated with them and second, they're not that rare. I don't even wear a diamond wedding ring - they're just not for me at all.
Half a *billion* dead? Seeing that the 2009 estimate for the entire population of Angola was 18.5 *million*, methinks that's a bit of a stats-flub... #proofreaderfail
Where can I buy loose synthetic stones? Any good online shops?
The whole expose about conflict diamonds came out right after I got engaged and got my ring (3 diamonds). I will admit that it did tarnish the beauty of the ring to think about so much suffering coming from the industry. Then came polar bear diamonds from Canada, but they are very expensive because of the markup that comes from being conflict-free. I am 100% in favor of lab-grown diamonds and would wear them proudly.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend?
What a scam!
Did you ever try SELLING a diamond?
(btw, MOST of the diamond production goes to industry. And MOST of the gem-quality ones go into storage, off the market, so the prices stay sky-high)
Diamond mining in Africa is only one of many, many things in Africa that result in death, degradation, and destruction of habitat. The issue isn't diamonds, it's Africans - black or white, it doesn't matter, it's the people, not the industry.
This article makes me so happy. The idea of people being massacred and maimed over little bitty shiny rocks makes me so upset. I'm thrilled to see something like this happening. My only concern is what will happen to these countries when they no longer have the demand their country produces. I'm hoping that the massacres and the maiming will come to halt but what will happen to the economy there?
half a billion dead??......thats 50 million a year for 10 years.......??????...........
As the author doubless is aware, there are substantial legitimate diamond-mining enterprises all over the world, from Namibia to Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Botswana would likely go bankrupt with its income from diamond mining. Whether the piece of carbon is worth what it brings on the market is another matter.
The demand for diamonds, and subsequent cost, is purely artificial to begin with, the product of an aggressive continuous marketing campaign. Why would wearing an "artificial" synthetic diamond be any different?
Yep - Debeer is the greatest marketing company on earth. Remember that as you go to buy an engagement ring or anything else made of diamonds.
I have one, I LOVE it! I refuse to wear anything else :)
yes who wants to wear blood diamonds, if one only knew what goes on before that gem shines on ones finger, I'm sure not many would want to have the real thing anyway, its so gross and sad...
I would give one to my wife, if she actually cared about such decorations. If it is undetectable to anyone except a jeweler, then I don't see the difference between a dug-up diamond and a manufactured one. Save your money, no one will know the difference.
Good point! Using what's already here (vintage/upcycled stones) is definitely the MOST eco way to go - and there's plenty out there! But you know how some people are about buying and wearing 'used' things (I actually prefer pieces with history, but not everyone feels that way).