When considering the purchase of a diamond or its alternatives, ethical concerns often come to the forefront. One such alternative that has gained popularity is moissanite. This blog post delves into the ethical aspects of diamond mining and compares them with the production of moissanite to determine if moissanite is indeed the moral choice.
Ethical Issues in Diamond Mining
Blood Diamonds
Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are stones mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflicts. The trade in blood diamonds has been linked to human rights abuses and prolonged warfare in Africa.
The illicit trade in diamonds has funded wars and human rights abuses for decades, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people. Blood diamonds, also referred to as “conflict diamonds,” are diamonds mined in a war zone and illegally traded to finance further military actions of rebels.
During the 1990s, rebel groups in Sierra Leone used profits from diamond sales to buy arms and ammunition, leading to widespread violence and human rights abuses, including the amputation of civilians’ limbs. Similarly, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), diamonds have been linked to ongoing conflicts and the displacement of thousands of people.
To address this issue, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established in 2003 to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. However, criticisms persist about the effectiveness of this scheme, with some arguing that it does not go far enough to ensure that diamonds are completely free from ethical concerns. A report by Global Witness highlights concerns over certain States’ efforts to block updates to the Kimberley Process, suggesting that the system may still be flawed.
In 2024, the Kimberley Process decided to lift an 11-year-old embargo on rough diamond exports from the Central African Republic, raising questions about whether the conflict diamond issues in that region have truly been resolved.
Perhaps most alarmingly, an estimated 1 in 4 diamonds on the international diamond market have been mined under horrific conditions, despite the Kimberley Process. This suggests that blood diamond trade is still active, even if on a reduced scale.
Labor Conditions
Diamond miners often work in hazardous conditions with little to no labor rights, low wages, and long hours. Child labor is also a significant issue in some regions.
By failing to redress the ongoing use of child labor in mining activities, the Government of Sierra Leone is permitting violations to continue and allowing the perpetuation of harmful practices. There are reports that children, mostly boys ages 5-17, are forced to mine for diamonds in Sierra Leone.
Human rights abuses in diamond mines range from child labor, bonded labor, and forced labor to ill treatment, violence, and sexual assaults. These conditions persist despite efforts by some in the industry to improve working conditions.
The International Labor Organization and other human rights organizations have long called for improved working conditions and better wages in the diamond mining industry. However, significant challenges remain, particularly in smaller, less regulated mining operations.
Environmental Impact
Diamond mining can lead to deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation. The process often involves the use of toxic chemicals that can harm local ecosystems.
Mineral resource exploitation causes irreversible damage to the natural environment, including deforestation, soil disturbance, air emissions, surface water contamination, and biodiversity loss. This environmental damage is not just a local issue but has global implications.
A study published in Nature found that using clean energy for lab-grown diamonds results in just 0.028 g of emissions, 0.0006 t of mineral waste, and 0.07 m³ of water per carat, compared to significantly higher impacts for mined diamonds.
Mined diamonds have been associated with land clearance, deforestation, habitat destruction, and human rights concerns. The energy and carbon footprint of diamond mining is substantial, contributing to climate change and other environmental problems.
The mine’s operations create 143 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per carat mined—five-and-a-half times what it takes to make synthetic diamonds. Mining’s environmental impact also includes river pollution, water resources exploitation, and unhealthy, unregulated working conditions.
Exploitation of Resources
Many diamond-rich countries are developing nations that may not benefit equitably from the sale of these resources due to corruption and poor governance.
The so-called ‘resource curse’ syndrome has gained increasing currency in recent years. Growing evidence suggests that many African countries with abundant natural resources, including diamonds, often experience slow economic growth or even decline, rather than the expected development.
Africa’s wealth dilemma is how natural resource wealth can inadvertently fuel violence. Retaining that wealth for itself has long been the challenge faced by many African nations looking to break the resource curse.
The cases profiled in reports—such as Queenway’s activities in Angola, Tanzania, Guinea, and Zimbabwe—provide examples of how the resource curse manifests in practice.
In Sierra Leone, despite its rich diamond deposits, the country remains one of the poorest in the world. Much of the wealth generated from diamonds fails to translate into infrastructure development or improved public services.
Ethical Considerations for Moissanite
Lab-Grown
Moissanite is synthesized in a laboratory, which eliminates the need for mining and the associated ethical issues related to extraction.
Lab moissanite is formed using the Lely process, creating large silicon carbide crystals. This process allows for the controlled synthesis of moissanite gemstones.
In laboratory settings, silicon carbide crystals are synthesized to produce moissanite gemstones. The resulting product mimics the optical and physical properties of natural moissanite.
Moissanite is created with silicon and carbon, through a combination of pressure and heat. The process starts with high-quality silicon carbide, which is then subjected to extreme conditions to create the gemstone.
Synthetic moissanite, or simulated diamonds, are made from the same silicon carbide that makes up its natural counterpart. It was never difficult to synthesize moissanite, but perfecting the process to create gem-quality stones took significant research and development.
Sustainability
The production of moissanite is more sustainable compared to diamond mining, as it requires less energy and has a lower environmental footprint.
Moissanite production consumes fewer resources, helping to conserve water and reduce energy consumption. Water Conservation: Natural diamond mining can consume vast amounts of water, contributing to water scarcity in some regions.
Producing moissanite or lab-grown diamonds uses significantly less energy than mining, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Lower Carbon Emissions: The energy efficiency of moissanite production results in a smaller carbon footprint compared to diamond mining, which uses heavy machinery and consumes massive amounts of fuel.
Creating Moissanite requires less energy and produces less waste than diamond mining. Additionally, Moissanite is made without any harmful environmental impacts associated with open-pit mining.
Moissanite, made in labs, has a much lower environmental impact. It is energy-efficient to produce and does not cause environmental damage like deforestation or water pollution.
However, it’s worth noting that moissanite production can have just as high of a carbon footprint as diamond mining, depending on the energy sources used. While it may be more ethical, it’s not necessarily more environmentally friendly in all cases.
Traceability
Since moissanite is produced in controlled environments, its origin can be easily tracked, ensuring that it is conflict-free.
Created in a controlled environment with advanced technology, moissanite is easily traceable and requires no mining. This means moissanite has a smaller carbon footprint and is free from the ethical concerns associated with diamond mining.
While there is a manufacturing impact, the traceable and eco-friendly origins of Moissanite distinguish it from natural gemstones. Moissanite 2 is fully traceable and is 100% conflict-free, making it an ethical choice of gemstone.
We place a strong emphasis on transparency and traceability, ensuring that every moissanite stone used in our jewelry comes from a trusted source. By tracking the origin of each stone, we can guarantee that it has been produced ethically and sustainably.
Before a Sustainability Rated Diamond reaches you, it is tracked through a verified origin traceability process that provides 99.9% accuracy through the supply chain. This level of traceability is not always possible with natural diamonds, but it is a standard feature of lab-created gemstones like moissanite.
Affordability
Moissanite is significantly cheaper than diamonds of similar size and quality, making it an accessible option for many consumers.
Moissanite is typically cheaper than diamonds as they are man-made first and foremost. Although they make for a stunning ring, they are not a natural diamond.
Moissanite offers significant cost savings. Even on a sub-$1,000 budget, you can acquire a stone comparable to a one-carat diamond.
As a guide, you can expect to pay around $5,000 for a nearly colorless 1-carat diamond, but completely colorless moissanite will cost you significantly less at just a fraction of that price.
Moissanite are man-made and more affordable, with a one-carat stone costing approximately $300 -$600. The lower cost is due to a less labor-intensive production process compared to diamond mining.
This affordability makes moissanite accessible to a much wider range of consumers who might otherwise be unable to afford a natural diamond of similar size and quality.
Conclusion
When considering whether moissanite is the moral choice compared to diamonds, it’s clear that moissanite offers several significant ethical advantages.
By being laboratory-created, moissanite bypasses the problematic issues associated with diamond mining, such as blood diamonds, poor labor conditions, environmental damage, and resource exploitation. While no production process is entirely without impact, moissanite’s relatively low environmental footprint and transparent supply chain make it a compelling option for those prioritizing ethics in their purchasing decisions.
Additionally, moissanite’s affordability makes it an accessible choice for many consumers who want a beautiful, high-quality gemstone without the moral compromises associated with some diamond purchases.
That said, it’s important to note that the diamond industry has made strides in improving ethical standards, with certifications like the Kimberley Process aimed at preventing the trade of conflict diamonds. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds provide another ethical alternative for consumers who value the authenticity of a diamond but want to avoid the pitfalls of natural diamond mining.
Ultimately, the choice between moissanite and diamonds should be based on a thorough understanding of the implications of each option and alignment with one’s own values regarding sustainability, ethics, and personal preference.