The short answer: some lab grown carbon footprint claims are well supported and others are marketing, and the honest position is that the numbers vary by producer and by the energy used. Be wary of any seller who makes a sweeping environmental claim without evidence you can read.
People often choose lab grown diamonds partly for environmental reasons, and sellers sometimes use that. It is worth knowing which claims hold up. This is a plain guide, and we do not quote figures that we cannot support.
What is reasonably clear
- Lab grown diamonds do not require new mining, which avoids the land disturbance that mining involves.
- Growing diamonds uses significant energy, and the footprint depends on how that energy is produced.
- Producers vary, so there is no single number that applies to every stone.
What is uncertain or contested
- Comparisons between mined and lab grown footprints depend on the method, the producer and what is counted.
- Studies do not all agree, and some come from groups with an interest in the answer.
- Claims such as carbon neutral or sustainable can mean different things.
Where the energy goes
Both main growing methods need a lot of power over many days or weeks, to create the heat and pressure, or the plasma, in which a diamond grows. Cutting and polishing add a little more. The single biggest factor is the source of that electricity: power from renewable sources and power from fossil fuels give very different footprints for the same stone. That is why a claim that does not name the energy source tells you little. See HPHT and CVD lab grown diamonds.
Questions to ask a seller
- What is the claim based on, and can I read it?
- Does it cover this producer or an industry average?
- Is the energy source stated and verifiable?
- Is an independent party behind the claim?
Words that deserve caution
Be cautious of green, eco friendly, sustainable, carbon neutral or ethical when there is no explanation. Good claims come with detail and evidence, and vague ones rarely do. A figure with no stated method is hard to judge, and a comparison that leaves out part of the process can mislead in either direction.
Offsetting and certificates
Some producers say a stone is carbon neutral because emissions have been offset elsewhere. Offsetting can be done well or badly, and it does not reduce the energy used to grow the stone. If a claim relies on offsets, ask what scheme was used and whether it has been independently checked. A sustainability certificate is only as good as the body behind it, so ask who issued it and what it actually measures.
Our approach
We do not make environmental claims that we cannot back. We tell you what we know about a stone and what we do not. If this matters to you, tell us, and we will share what is available and be honest about the gaps.
Other ways to reduce impact
Recycled and antique diamonds and reusing a family stone avoid new production altogether, and a well made ring that lasts for decades is its own kind of sustainability. Choosing a timeless design, and having a ring that can be resized and serviced, also helps it stay in use for years. See ethical and sustainable engagement rings.
Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
See recycled and antique diamonds, and browse lab grown colourless diamonds.
Frequently asked questions
Are lab grown diamonds better for the environment? It depends on the producer and the energy used, so we avoid sweeping claims.
Is a recycled diamond the lowest impact choice? It avoids new production, which many people value.
Can you tell me how a specific stone was made? We share what the supplier and the report say.
Do offsets make a stone carbon neutral? That depends on the scheme, so ask what was used and who checked it.
Do you offer carbon neutral rings? We do not make that claim, because we cannot back it with evidence we can show you.