Ethical diamonds are diamonds that are created or harvested in a sustainable manner. If you are looking for ethical diamonds, you will want to look for one that is lab-grown, conflict free, and has not been exposed to violence, child labor, poverty, or environmental atrocities.
Lab-grown diamonds
In the past few years, the lab-grown diamond industry has grown by over 250%. These man-made diamonds are made to look and perform like the real thing. They are also more affordable and eco-friendly, compared to mined diamonds.
Many people are interested in ethical products, including diamonds. The diamond industry has been the target of criticism for decades. Some of the most notable issues revolve around human rights, environmental impacts, and mining methods.
Lab-grown diamonds may have a few eco-friendly advantages, but they’re not the only way to go. Another option is to buy sustainable fashion. However, many consumers have not yet realized the full benefits of this alternative.
A better alternative, however, is to purchase a lab-grown diamond. The diamond supply chain for a lab-grown diamond is shorter, more transparent, and generally cheaper than the mining process.
Buying a lab-grown diamond also solves one of the most pressing problems in the diamond industry: the use of child labor. The diamond industry uses 40 million people, a number that rises to 60 million if you include the millions of people involved in artisanal small-scale mining.
Conflict-free diamonds
The diamond industry is plagued with numerous problems. Some of them are environmental damage, child labor, and violence. These are issues that are not addressed by the Conflict-Free marketing scheme.
One way to address these issues is by purchasing ethically sourced diamonds. Ethical diamonds come from legal mining processes, and are not associated with child labor, violence, or excessive environmental damage.
Another way to ensure you are getting a conflict-free diamond is to purchase from a reputable jeweler that has a zero tolerance policy. They will conduct research to ensure their supplies are ethically sourced.
When you are shopping for a diamond, you want to choose one that represents the story of your love. If you can’t find an ethically sourced stone, you may want to consider buying a diamond that is lab-grown. This is a great option because it has little to no impact on the environment.
The best way to make sure you are purchasing an ethically sourced diamond is to choose a supplier that uses a certified tracking system. You can use a gemological laboratory to verify the origin of your gemstone.
Impact of informal mining on ecosystems
If you are wondering why artisanal diamond mining has a negative impact on ecosystems, you are not alone. Many artisanal miners operate in the informal sector, selling their commodities through unofficial channels. They use simple tools and often do not own their land.
These activities have significant negative impacts on the environment, including deforestation, farmland loss, water and air pollution. In addition, they have social and economic consequences. For instance, they can result in increased risk of terrorism and violence. It is also believed that the commodities from artisanal mining are used to finance criminal organizations.
Mining operations also lead to deforestation. This leads to the loss of agricultural lands, which in turn causes loss of livelihoods. The economy of Namibia is largely dependent on large-scale mining of rutile and diamond.
In some countries, deforestation has led to land-use conflicts. Changing the land cover has also led to an erosion of conservation practices. Additionally, the degradation of the land is a contributing factor to climate change. Similarly, the release of chemicals into streams and rivers reduces the quality of water.
Legality of selling diamonds tainted by violence, child labor, poverty, and environmental atrocities
If you’ve read my recent blogposts, you’ll be aware that I am pursuing a lawsuit against Glencore, a British mining company, over allegations of child slavery. According to the lawsuit, children as young as six years old are being forced to work in mines. Some families have refused to take their children out of the mines because of the high costs associated with relocating them. As of mid-summer, the lawsuit remains active.
Child slavery is an affliction that is not limited to mining. It affects millions of children all over the world. Many children who are forced to engage in hazardous child labour suffer long-term consequences. In addition to being exposed to dangerous conditions and life-threatening hazards, they also face physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
The US Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) maintains a “List of Goods Produced by Child Labor and Forced Labor,” which highlights goods with evidence of abusive labor practices. A large share of these children are employed in lower-tier supply chains.
