Natural diamond versus synthetic diamond pendant: what to choose?

Although natural and synthetic diamonds look similar to the naked eye, they are not identical in every way.

As said before, from a physical and optical characteristic point of view, natural diamond and technology diamond are similar. For many scientists, synthetic diamonds are purer than those forged by nature. Some also say that synthetic can be traced, that it is environmentally friendly and that it is above all ethical.

To produce a diamond in the laboratory requires about as much investment as to mine and work a natural diamond. Indeed, the machines used to create this gem are extremely expensive. The paradox is that the price of synthetic stone on the market is 30-50% below that of stone resulting from geological processes. However, to determine the price of both natural and synthetic stone, one must take into account its size, weight, color and purity.

It is therefore tempting to choose a synthetic diamond over a mined diamond since the former has all the characteristics required by the market while being at a much more attractive price. Nevertheless, there are great differences between the two types of diamonds.

The main differences between these gems are age and origin. Indeed, a few weeks are enough for a laboratory to produce synthetic diamond. On the other hand, mined diamonds are the product of slow geological processes that range from 1 to 3.3 billion.

Ultimately, to distinguish natural diamond from synthetic diamond, one must: require a certificate. All fine quality diamonds weighing more than 0.30 carat normally have one today. Therefore, your diamond pendant must have the certificate of the diamond that was used to make it. The certificates provided by the GIA, HRD and IGI laboratories are the most authentic. These certificates, usually in English, clearly state among other things that it is a "natural diamond" or a "laboratory diamond". Another way to verify the origin of a diamond is to compare the prices of two stones with the same characteristics of weight, color, price and cut quality. A clear difference between their respective prices can give you clues as to the origins of the two stones. The difference in price between the two types of diamonds is bound to increase over time because the production of diamonds in the laboratory benefits from economies of scale like any other type of classic industry.

This question, if you ask yourself, is quite legitimate. The answer is quite simple. Naturalness is priceless and no matter how much you spend to have a natural diamond pendant, it will never be worth what the production of this diamond has cost nature.

Usually, a diamond pendant is offered to a loved one. Pure love is not forced. It comes naturally. Such is the case with a diamond mine. Like love, it takes time to materialize. Its history is rich in events.

A synthetic diamond is like a forced love. There is nothing romantic about it. Don't just look at the carbon of which the diamond is made. Instead, imagine the natural magic that led to the birth of this gem. Pure, natural love is eternal. Such is the case with a natural diamond.

Do you know the meaning of the expression "diamond wedding"? It is an expression for a radiant love. A diamond wedding is a celebration of eternal love; a marriage of sixty years or so. Do you think a love of composition can last for 60 years? The answer is without a doubt negative... Then natural or synthetic diamond pendant?

The biggest argument of synthetic diamond manufacturers is "ethics". They argue that because these types of diamonds do not come from nature, they do not have a negative impact on nature and local communities. These arguments find a strong audience among current generations. But are we sure that laboratory diamonds are ethical and environmentally friendly? Moreover, the notion of ethics is subjective.

Contrary to what their manufacturers say, synthetic diamonds have more environmental impact than natural diamonds. This is attested by the Diamond Producers Association (DPA). These diamonds are ultimately no more ethical than mined diamonds.

This report written by Trucost ESG Analysis is the result of studies carried out on 75% of the major players in the diamond mining industry worldwide. For two years, this study, whose independence is beyond doubt, has generated a strong database refuting the main argument of synthetic diamond advocates.

From an environmental point of view, it took 511 kilograms of CO2 to produce 1 carat of synthetic diamond in 2016. At the same time, 160 kilograms of CO2 were enough to produce the same weight of natural diamond.

In conclusion, the report reveals that for identical carats, the environmental impact of a laboratory diamond is greater than that of a mined diamond.

Certainly, over time, when laboratory diamonds are produced using renewable energies, the ecological impact will be less than it is now if we consider greenhouse gases. However, the amount of water needed to cool the reactors will still have to be taken into account. These data will have to count for a lot in the balance of ecological impacts.

There is no doubt that greenhouse gases are the main waste products produced by the diamond mining industry. Indeed, the Trucost report makes this clear. In addition to this, there are other wastes from mining activities as well as the degradation of water quality. The main wastes produced by the diamond mining industry are the remains of waste rock.

However, it should be noted that 26% of the non-volatile waste produced by the mines is recycled. This is a significant positive point.

To date, members of the Diamond Producers Association have contributed to the protection of more than 260,000 hectares of natural land in the countries where they operate. This figure is three times more than what they mine for this gem.

Numerous environmental protection programs are being put in place. These programs initiated by the DPA are intended to be sustainable.

Laboratory diamonds are products of machines. Their manufacture requires little labor and very few skills. The economic and social impact is therefore less.

On the other hand, diamond mining requires a variety of skills and remunerates entire communities.

There are more than 77,000 jobs generated by DPA member companies worldwide. The economic and social benefits are therefore not negligible. Better still, these companies employ the majority of their staff, members of local communities.

In addition to the employment generated by the diamond mining industry, the companies invest significantly in the communities that mine these gems. First, the bulk of the goods and services needed to produce natural diamonds are purchased from local communities and companies. This strengthens the local economy.

DPA members spend billions of US dollars on the construction of socio-community infrastructure (health, education, etc.) in the countries where they operate. It should also be remembered that these companies pay considerable taxes to the states of these countries.

DPA member companies are becoming more and more supportive of the communities that produce their diamonds. This solidarity will grow stronger over time. This is the commitment of the members of the Diamond Producers Association.