Environmentally Friendly Diamonds

Man Made Diamonds Are An Environmentally Friendly Choice

While most people still think of diamonds as being created over millions of years deep in the earth’s crust, increasing concern over the environmental degradation that often results from diamond mining is causing more and more people to reconsider the purchase of mined gems. Many are choosing more reasonably priced man made diamonds instead.

A beautifully cut diamond is a joy to behold, and traditionally, it has been a token of love and commitment. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize the impact that mining these gems has on the Earth. It can require the removal of as much as a ton or rock and earth to recover a single one-carat stone. Open pit mining is definitely not a joy to behold. It leaves a tragic and ugly scar upon a once beautiful landscape.

But that is only the beginning. This method of mining damages the local ecosystem greatly and pollutes the surrounding streams and rivers with huge amounts of cyanide and mercury (the products used to free gems from their rock casings). This adversely affects humans and animals alike. Luckily, recent developments in man made diamonds provide an excellent, environmentally responsible option.

Created stones are produced in the controlled environment of a lab. A diamond seed is placed in a carbon environment, heated and pressurized, and allowed to grow “molecule by molecule” just as it would deep down in the Earth’s crust. The only resource used in lab creation is a small amount of electricity. No harmful products like cyanide or mercury are involved, no tearing apart the earth is required, and no local residents have to suffer, as occurs in some of the diamond mines. Up to four percent of the total mined supply of these gems is composed of conflict or “blood” diamonds, which are sold to fund acts of war and terrorism.

Canadian diamonds escape the problems of war and terrorism, but mining still can have an adverse effect on the environment. However, Canada has stringent laws that require careful monitoring of all mines to protect the environment as much as possible. Most Canadian stones of size can be identified by a microscopic, laser inscribed polar bear or maple leaf. This is a help in identifying the most eco-friendly of natural stones, but man made gems still offer the least environmental impact possible.

Lab grown gems are genuine in every sense: they feature the same brilliance and sparkle of mined gems and are also identical physically, chemically and optically. They are even recognized and graded as diamonds by leading gemological laboratories. Furthermore, while colored “fancy” diamonds are rare in nature and extremely expensive, lab created gems in vibrant shades like pink, green, blue, yellow, and red cost about one-third less than their mined counterparts.

Gem-quality lab produced diamonds are such a recent development that most jewelry stores don’t yet offer them. However, these stunning gems are available for purchase online through reputable companies. Man-made gems are the perfect choice for you or your socially and environmentally conscious loved one.

Looking for eco-friendly, socially responsible diamonds that won’t break the bank? The only diamond producer recognized by Earthshare, JewelNet.com is the premiere provider of man-made diamonds. They offer loose stones and bridal jewelry, pendants and earrings with certified stones in six vibrant colors. Visit the website for a free e-book on Diamond Savings. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services