People these days are well aware of different political situations in different parts of the world and they are looking keenly at the happening around the world. When we hear about various rebel groups in Africa, we often wonder who is funding them. You might be surprised to know that the rebel groups control several diamond mines in Africa and they use slave labor for mining. Diamonds from these mines are often referred to as blood diamonds.
As a conscious customer, you wouldn’t want to fund these insurgent groups. That is why people these days are looking for ethical alternatives. Let’s take a look at some of the ethical diamond options that we have right now.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamond offer several appealing characteristics that make them an excellent option for environmentally and socially conscientious brides and grooms. They are usually 20% to 30% less costly than naturally-occurring diamonds and have a wide range of customizing options in terms of the 4Cs. It is worth noting that they both lab-grown and natural diamonds have the same chemical structure.
New diamonds from extensively sourced, conflict-zone locales harm the environment even more and often put mineworkers in perilous situations for startlingly low pay. While lab-grown diamonds consume 86 percent less water, 50 percent less energy, and emit 95 percent fewer carbon emissions than mined diamonds, they are a much more environmentally responsible option.
Recycled Diamonds
Our typical conflict-free diamond alternative is the recycled diamond, which will be a mined one. To be positioned in new settings, these vintage gems are graded, re-polished, and cleaned to their former shine and brilliance. In general, a second-hand diamond costs less than a brand-new diamond. You are not donating to the over 150 million carats of new diamonds extracted from the planet each year if you choose a recycled diamond ring.
However, one of the most appealing qualities of recycled diamonds is their air of having witnessed several generations and eras in history. A few of the recycled diamonds that are currently circulating the markets are time-worn. Some diamonds were hand-cut at the mine over a century ago.
Newly-Mined Canadian And Australian Diamonds
The Canadian Code of Conduct and other state officials require that newly mined diamonds from the Canadian Arctic adhere to exacting requirements. They’re all conflict-free verified and must be trimmed and polished with care. Newly mined Australian diamonds are held to the same high standards as Canadian diamonds, with a focus on ecologically and socially responsible processes.