Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultured diamonds, are quickly becoming the new industry standard. Produced in a lab environment rather than through traditional mining, these man-made gems possess an unparalleled purity and structure. In addition to being much cheaper to manufacture, they are also significantly more sustainable than their natural counterparts.
So why are people still mining for natural diamonds? Recent advancements in technology have allowed for the development of diamond products with a wide range of cutting-edge applications, including medical implants and other innovative gadgets. Additionally, this lab-based production process is much less taxing on the environment than traditional diamond extraction methods.
The problems associated with traditional mining and diamond manufacturing have recently been highlighted in the award-winning documentary Blood Diamonds: Cut out Conflict. The film follows journalist Fieke Jansen’s journey to Sierra Leone as he investigates how diamonds fuel modern day conflicts and human rights abuses around the world. Through interviews, archival footage, and never before seen images, it shines a light on this dark corner of the jewelry industry – one that has implications far beyond luxury items like engagement rings and necklaces.
