Published: 25th May, 2023
Context
Traditionally, diamonds have been assessed based on the four Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. However, a fifth C, Climate Neutrality, is now emerging as a factor for judging diamonds
What are Lab-grown diamonds?
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Status
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- Naturally-formed diamonds are pure carbon, crystalised in the isometric cubic form beneath the earth’s crust.
- Method: Lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), on the other hand, are manufactured in laboratories with either of the two methods — chemical vapour deposition (CVD) or high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) using a chemical composition.
- Duration: It takes less than a month to make a distinctively-shaped crystal.
How environment-friendly are Lab-grown diamonds?
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Natural Diamonds |
Lab-grown diamonds |
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Carbon Footprint |
The process of mining natural diamonds involves significant energy consumption and carbon emissions |
Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, require less energy and have a considerably lower carbon footprint. This is because they are produced in controlled laboratory environments using advanced technologies. |
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Ecological Disruption |
Diamond mining often involves extracting large quantities of earth, leading to habitat destruction and ecosystem disruption. |
Lab-grown diamonds eliminate the need for such environmentally harmful mining practices, minimizing ecological damage and preserving natural habitats. |
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Water Conservation |
Mining diamonds typically requires extensive water usage for various purposes, including extraction, processing, and washing. |
Studies and reports claim that 1 carat of a lab grown diamond can save upto 250 tonnes of land and gallons of water. |
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Pollution |
Diamond mining can lead to pollution through the release of hazardous chemicals, sediment runoff, and soil erosion. |
1. Lab-grown diamonds eliminate the associated pollution risks, as they are produced without the use of harmful mining practices, thereby reducing environmental contamination. |
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