Lab grown diamonds are currently marketed as a sustainable alternative to natural diamonds. So when choosing between these stones, you have to be aware of the environmental impacts they can create. Therefore, we analyze how both of these stones can affect the environment.
Sustainability And Types Of Diamonds
The term “sustainability” usually refers to the utilization of resources in a responsive manner. By any means, the mining of natural diamonds is not considered sustainable. The impact created by the diamond mining industry on the environment is huge. It contributes to a large number of environmental issues like the destruction of vast areas of land and water, climate changes, etc.
Additionally, even though lab grown diamonds have become popular as a sustainable alternative to mined diamonds, they can also contribute to some environmental issues. The following are some of the important things you want to know about the environmental impacts created by natural and artificial diamonds.
Impacts Created By Diamond Mining
Diamonds are deposited hundreds of meters deep under the earth. Therefore, to reach these locations, large pits will have to be created. These pits can be about 150 meters deep and can spread across acres of land. Hence, it can damage the ecosystem present across the area thereby causing great damage to the environment.
In addition to land, some diamond deposits are found under the ocean, and to mine these diamonds, our oceans are being polluted and destroyed.
Diamond mining can cause irreversible damage to the earth. Additionally, to retain diamonds from deep under the earth, a substantial amount of energy is needed in addition to human labor.
Even though a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the impacts created by mining on the environment, the higher amounts of energy required and the ecological disturbances associated with this process make sustainable mining of diamonds impossible.
Impacts Created By Lab Grown Diamonds
Even though the environmental impacts created by the creation of artificial diamonds are minor in comparison with natural diamonds, they are still associated with certain problems.
To synthesize these stones, high pressure and temperature are required and the energy used for their creation involves the use of fossil fuels in greater quantities. The use of non-renewable sources of energy for the creation of diamonds can lead to their depletion. Additionally, the processes used for creating diamonds result in the emission of higher amounts of greenhouse gases into the environment.
However, some manufacturers are now trying to use solar energy and other renewable energy sources to create their diamonds. Hence, there is a potential for the creation of truly sustainable artificial diamonds in the future.
Therefore, when choosing between natural and man-made diamonds for your engagement rings, be aware of the environmental impacts created by them.