Jeweller - March 2024

The quest for
truly ethical
diamonds starts
beyond the lab.
PHIL PRESTON
CLEAR NEUTRAL
EUTRAL
While lab-grown diamonds
are heralded as a modern
alternative, they also
cast a shadow on environmental
sustainability.
Cultivating these diamonds in a
laboratory is an energy-intensive
process. A single carat might
consume over 200 kWh of energy,
equivalent to a family’s entire
weekly consumption.
Indeed, lab-grown diamonds have
merits such as higher accessibility,
quality, and yield. But we can’t
ignore the environmental costs.
This complexity reveals a nuanced
landscape with its own challenges,
with some viewing lab-grown
diamonds as an ethical solution and
others questioning that very ethics.
This has led to more interest
in carbon offsetting, which
helps reduce the harm diamond
production can do to the
environment.
This approach helps build trust with
buyers, showing them that their
jewellery purchases are responsible
and not just about looking good.
As sustainability gains momentum,
companies like Clear Neutral are
leading the way. By specialising
in making lab-grown diamonds
carbon neutral, Clear Neutral offers
a precise solution that integrates
seamlessly with existing suppliers.
Clear Neutral uses extensive
research and a proprietary
system to accurately assess a
diamond’s carbon footprint
through its growing, cutting,
and polishing stages.
Considering factors like stone size,
country of origin, and growth type,
they offset emissions conservatively,
ensuring no negative impact is
overlooked. Investments in projects
such as renewable energy and
waste management underline
their commitment to ethical
responsibility.
“We believe the quest for truly
ethical diamonds starts beyond
the lab. By looking at the entire
March 2024 | 37