Why lab-grown diamonds are more sustainable
For many decades, the diamond industry faced serious challenges. Mining diamonds was and still is associated with social and ethical conflicts and with serious environmental impacts. Gemstones known as ‘blood diamonds’ have also gained their notoriety due to a turbulent history. By producing diamonds in the lab, we at Nevermined can avoid all the conflicts that come with mining diamonds:
Protecting our soil
Natural diamonds are usually mined from opencast mines and underground diamond mines. On average, over 200 tonnes of earth needs to be moved to mine 1 carat of natural diamond. This can cause soil erosion. In comparison, lab-grown diamonds help forgo underground and open-cast mining altogether.
Fair working conditions
Despite the Kimberley Process, which seeks to stop the trade in conflict diamonds, diamond mining in some countries is associated with inhumane working conditions, forced labour and child exploitation. Fair wages are unimaginable here. Unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds from Nevermined offer absolute certainty of wearing ethically conflict-free gemstones – 100% fair and grown in Germany.
No deforestation of rainforests
Vast areas of forest are still being cleared in the search for diamonds, gold, gemstones and precious metals. Billions of animals lose their habitat or are disturbed by noise pollution as a result. The number of trees that could offset CO2 emissions is dwindling. And all this for nothing, if the search for diamonds proves unsuccessful. Diamonds from the laboratory do not harm the rainforests or the biodiversity that lives in them.
Short transport routes
Since there are no natural diamond deposits in Germany, all mined diamonds have come a long way. Transport from abroad is always associated with CO2 emissions. With its own production facility for laboratory diamonds in Essen, Nevermined ensures short delivery routes within Germany and Europe with climate-neutral shipping. This allows us to reduce the environmental footprint of our gemstones.
Conservation of farmland
Natural diamond mining often involves scouring valuable farmland in developing countries. The land is unusable for agriculture even after the work is completed, as the upheaval removes the nutrients from the topsoil. By producing lab-grown diamonds for fair jewellery production, we help prevent the destruction of agricultural land.
Prevention of water pollution and consumption
Unlike the mining of precious metals, diamond mining uses water, not chemicals. Water is scarce in many places where diamonds are mined. Even though the industry is doing a lot to reduce its water use, it cannot completely avoid it – unlike lab-grown diamonds. Nor can water pollution be ruled out. Moreover, if river beds and courses are diverted for the purpose of diamond mining, this disrupts the local ecosystem and humans and animals have to look for new sources. The production of genuine diamonds in the laboratory requires no water pollution and no restructuring of ecosystems.
Protection from diseases
Work in diamond mines often leaves behind mining pits. When these pits fill with rainwater or groundwater, mosquitoes can breed more, transmitting diseases such as malaria and dengue fever in medically underserved areas. This is not a risk with lab-grown diamonds.
Greenhouse gas reduction
The exploration and mining of mined diamonds requires the use of fossil fuels. These include, for instance, diesel, petrol, marine gas and oil. Their combustion releases greenhouse gases, which has a negative impact on the environment and climate change. In contrast, real lab-grown diamonds from Nevermined are produced without using any fossil fuels. Their production requires only electricity, which Nevermined obtains from renewable energy sources.
Sustainability at Nevermined
Sustainable materials, environmentally friendly production with the use of 100% green electricity and fair working conditions are a matter of course for us. We are constantly working to optimise our processes and are proud of the completely transparent and conflict-free diamond production at our manufacturing site in Germany.