Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Good or Bad for the Planet?

The diamond is the most romanticised and coveted precious stone in the world.

In short: Lab-grown diamonds use roughly one-tenth the land disturbance of mined diamonds and zero overburden displacement — but their carbon footprint depends on the energy source. Reactors powered by renewables produce diamonds at about 6kg CO₂ per carat; coal-powered ones can reach 60kg+. Look for SCS-007 certified-sustainable producers.

Diamonds are unrivalled in their popularity thanks to the De Beers marketing campaign in the late 1930s. You’d be hard-pressed to find a jeweller who doesn’t stock at least one type of diamond.

But, lab-grown diamonds have hit the market in the last half-a-century and offer advantages over natural diamonds. They can be of better quality, cheaper, and a sustainable and ethical choice.

So, why is that?

Let’s look at the main reasons why choosing a lab-grown diamond is good for the planet.