"Are lab-grown diamonds sustainable?" is one of the questions we hear most. The honest answer: it depends largely on how the energy is produced, and that is improving fast.
Where the footprint comes from
Growing a diamond, by CVD or HPHT, takes a lot of electricity over several weeks. If that electricity comes from coal, the footprint is significant. If it comes from solar, wind or hydro, it drops dramatically.
What doesn't happen
Laboratory-grown diamonds don't require:
- moving large volumes of earth and rock
- open pits or underground mines
- the land disturbance associated with mining
Renewable-powered growing is real
- In Surat, Greenlab Diamonds grows diamonds at a facility supported by a 35 MW solar plant and hybrid wind installation. The 7.5-carat diamond gifted by India's Prime Minister to the US First Lady in 2023 came from this producer; see our story on it.
- In Quebec, Groupe RSL produces Canada's first lab-grown gem diamonds using hydroelectric power; see our French article.
- Growers in many countries are adding solar capacity and buying renewable power.
Questions to ask your supplier
- Where were the diamonds grown, and with what energy mix?
- Is there any third-party sustainability certification?
- How are cutting and polishing facilities powered?
Be wary of vague "eco-friendly" claims without specifics.
Other responsible factors
- Traceability: the origin of a laboratory-grown diamond is known from the reactor.
- Recycled metals: pairing lab-grown stones with recycled gold reduces impact further.
- Longevity: a diamond that's worn for generations is the most sustainable choice of all.
Our view
Laboratory-grown diamonds can be a responsible choice, especially when grown with renewable energy. We're happy to share what we know about the origin of the stones we supply. Ask us.
Sources: Free Press Journal on Greenlab, Business Wire on Groupe RSL
