Engagement rings shouldn’t just be pristine to the eye; they should also be ethically pristine. If you’re ready to purchase the engagement ring of your dreams, there’s a chance you’re considering where the stone itself comes from. Perhaps you’ve heard of “blood diamonds,” “conflict diamonds,” or similar terms. These refer to instances where getting the diamonds onto an engagement ring has caused pain, suffering, or environmental damage. You may have also heard of “conflict-free” engagement rings as a more appealing alternative. But what does this term mean?
To avoid “blood diamonds” and other conflict diamonds, many people are looking for an environmentally responsible, conflict-free engagement ring. Read on to learn more about these stones and how they can help you have a stunning diamond without a stain on your conscience.
What Is a Conflict-Free Engagement Ring?
Conflict-free diamonds are ones that are obtained in a way that is free of unethical diamond mining practices that cause suffering to people. To understand what that means, it helps to understand the opposite: blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds. Blood diamonds are mined in countries at war, using either worker exploitation, diamond mining that involves human rights violations, or any mining techniques that harm the environment. That’s why many individuals prefer to forgo diamond mining and choose a conflict-free engagement ring.
Conflict-free diamonds are diamonds that are mined safely, under safe conditions for both the people and the environment, in countries that aren’t at war. Unfortunately, there are not many earth grown diamonds that meet all of these requirements, so the prices of conflict-free diamonds can be high. Does that mean you have to pay a premium or settle for engagement rings that don’t sit well with your conscience? No. Fortunately, there’s an excellent way to get conflict-free diamonds at a lower price tag.
What Are the Most Ethical & Conflict-Free Diamonds?
When you’re looking for ethical stones for engagement rings, there is a simple answer that will keep your conscience clean and your wallet happy: lab created diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are stones that, as you might’ve guessed, are grown in a lab. Because they’re made in a lab, lab grown diamonds aren’t mined, don’t exploit workers (at the best companies), don’t contribute to environmental degradation, and aren’t taken from countries that are at war or committing human rights violations.
Instead, these conflict-free diamond rings are sparkling and pristine—in every way. Lab created diamond engagement rings are also more affordable than earth grown diamonds, so you’re able to get an ethical diamond without breaking the bank.
Differences Between Ethical Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds
As you consider lab created diamonds, you may be wondering what the difference is between ethical diamonds and earth grown diamonds (also called natural diamonds). Let’s look at some of the key differences between earth grown and ethical, lab created diamonds:
Where They Come into the World
Lab created diamonds and earth grown diamonds actually go through the exact same process of creation, but one happens within the earth while one occurs in a lab. When lab grown ethical diamonds are created, they undergo High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) processes, which is what a natural diamond also goes through inside the earth. The difference between these two is just where those processes happen. No matter where the diamond came from, the engagement rings will look the same.
The Price Tag
The price is a big difference between natural and lab grown diamonds. Almost always, a lab grown diamond will cost significantly less than a mined diamond. This is due in large part to their shorter supply chain. In fact, for a 2.00 carat lab grown diamond in H color, VS1 clarity, and a very good cut, you would only pay about $6,000 at Clean Origin while at a mined diamond company, you would pay between $16,000–18,000.
Ethical Considerations
Lab grown diamonds are ethical stones. Earth grown diamonds aren’t always. Even the process of mining alone can cause significant damage to the natural environment. There are places where you can find an ethical earth grown diamond, but they are rare finds, and the price will reflect that. That’s why newly mined diamonds will have such a high price point compared to the same lab grown diamond.
Similarities Between Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds
What’s interesting is that lab grown diamonds and earth grown diamonds have a lot in common. Let’s look at some of the main similarities between lab grown and natural diamonds:
Chemical Makeup
Lab diamonds and natural diamonds are the same chemically. That means the 4Cs of diamonds apply to both. It also means that both register as authentic diamonds when tested. Whether you purchase a lab grown diamond engagement ring or a mined one, the authenticity will be the same.
Visual Appearance
You can’t tell the difference between lab grown diamonds and earth grown diamond engagement rings visually. Even diamond experts couldn’t tell you which diamond was lab grown if they were looking at the two engagement rings side by side. Lab diamonds have all the same shimmer and fire of natural diamond engagement rings.
Level of Hardness and Toughness
Both diamonds receive a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, and they have the same toughness and durability. This means the two types of diamond engagement rings will have the same durability against breakage and scratches.
Level of Flaws and Blemishes
All diamonds mined from the earth have blemishes or imperfections in them. Because lab grown diamonds are chemically the same and undergo such similar creation processes, they will have the same amount of flaws and blemishes. That’s why the 4Cs are still important with lab diamond engagement rings.
Status as a “Real” Diamond
Lab grown diamonds are still considered real diamonds, not diamond substitutes. Quartz or moissanite are alternative stones to diamonds, while lab diamonds are real diamonds that just come from somewhere else. This means both mined and lab diamond engagement rings are “real”.
If you’d like to understand the lab grown diamond process, learn more here.
How to Buy Environmentally Responsible and Conflict-Free Diamond Rings
When choosing engagement rings, you want to find an ethically sourced ring. Here are some ways to make sure you’re buying ethically sourced diamonds:
Choose a Lab Grown Diamond Company
With lab grown, you can feel comfortable knowing that you chose ethical diamond engagement rings. You can be sure they weren’t mined unethically or in a way that would hurt the environment.
Always Do Your Research
No matter what the company’s store or website looks like, be sure to take the time to do your research on how they obtain stones. The diamond industry may not always be transparent.
Don’t Forget to Look Beyond the “Conflict-Free” Label
If a diamond company indicates its diamonds are conflict-free, that doesn’t necessarily mean they make completely ethical jewelry. The label will reassure you that no war is involved, but it doesn’t mean the diamond was obtained in an environmentally friendly way. Additionally, with such a long supply chain, it’s difficult to know exactly what takes place in every step of the process. Always do your research on what the term “conflict-free” means for that company.
Find Your Conflict-Free Engagement Ring with Clean Origin
If you’re searching for an ethical diamond ring, Clean Origin is just the place for you. We sell lab grown ethical and conflict-free diamond engagement rings. When you select a Clean Origin stone, you can be sure that you are choosing ethical jewelry and being environmentally responsible. Your Clean Origin lab grown diamond engagement ring will sparkle as beautifully as you dreamed of, and you can purchase it without compromising your values. In addition to the diamond itself, we also use recycled metals. This includes everything from recycled gold to recycled platinum, making for an even more ethical engagement ring.
Ready to find a ring? We ship to the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Shop conflict-free custom rings and diamonds here.
