When comparing the ethics of lab grown diamonds versus mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds generally have a stronger ethical position. At Adamas we are hugely concerned with the human cost of the mined diamond industry, and we’re keen to do our bit to promote both people and planet, which is why we’re proud to exclusively work with ethically-made lab grown diamonds.
1. Human Labour and Exploitation
Mined Diamonds:
Many diamond mines, particularly in countries with weaker regulations (e.g., Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo), are associated with exploitative labour practices, including:
- Child Labour: Children are often employed in dangerous conditions.
- Low Wages: Workers in artisanal mining often receive below-subsistence wages.
- Unsafe Working Conditions: Mines, particularly artisanal and small-scale operations, frequently expose workers to dangerous environments with a high risk of injury or death.
Large mining companies have improved practices, but artisanal and unregulated mining remains problematic. Even with initiatives like the Kimberley Process, which aims to prevent “blood diamonds” (diamonds that fund armed conflicts), loopholes exist, and enforcement is inconsistent.
Lab Grown Diamonds:
Lab grown diamonds are produced in controlled, factory-like settings, typically with standardised labour laws and worker protections.
- No reliance on artisanal or small-scale miners.
- Free from connections to conflict zones or warlords, as they are grown rather than extracted from politically unstable regions.
- Workers in lab grown facilities – especially in countries with strong labour protections) tend to receive better wages and work in safer environments.
At Adamas we work with lab grown diamond manufacturers in India, where stringent labour protections ensure:
- Right to Fair Wages: Ensures fair compensation and prevents wage discrimination.
- Right to Equal Treatment: Prohibits discrimination based on gender, caste, religion, etc.
- Right to Safety: Ensures safe working conditions and occupational health standards.
- Right to Grievance Redressal: Provides mechanisms for addressing workplace complaints.
Various laws also provide social security benefits such as provident funds, gratuity, maternity benefits, employee state insurance, and pensions. These benefits are essential for the financial security and overall well-being of workers, particularly after retirement or during periods of health-related and maternity leave.
2. Environmental Ethics
- Mined diamonds often disrupt local ecosystems and communities, displacing people and destroying livelihoods through land degradation.
- Lab grown diamonds are created without land disruption or displacement, making them a better choice for communities reliant on natural land and ecosystems for survival.
3. Transparency and Traceability
Mined Diamonds:
Despite efforts to ensure traceability, diamonds from questionable sources can still enter the supply chain through smuggling or fraudulent documentation. Ethical certifications (like the Kimberley Process) primarily focus on conflict-free status but do not address broader human rights or labour conditions.
Lab Grown Diamonds:
Since lab grown diamonds are produced in a controlled environment, they are fully traceable and free from ethical ambiguities. This means we can easily identify the origin of our lab grown diamonds, ensuring it aligns with our ethical values.
4. Community Development
Mined Diamonds:
In some regions, diamond mining provides significant employment opportunities and revenue that fund community infrastructure like schools and hospitals. However, this benefit is often outweighed by the exploitation, corruption, and environmental harm associated with mining in these regions.
Lab Grown Diamonds:
While lab-grown diamonds do not provide direct employment in mining communities, they avoid the potential for exploitation and corruption. Companies focused on lab grown diamonds can instead redirect efforts towards social responsibility initiatives in their communities.
5. Avoidance of Conflict and War
Mined Diamonds:
Historically, diamonds have fuelled conflicts in Africa (e.g., civil wars in Sierra Leone, Angola, and Liberia) by funding armed groups through illegal trade. The Kimberley Process has reduced the prevalence of conflict diamonds but has not eradicated the issue. More recently, concerns have been raised that mined diamonds from Russia have been funding the country’s war with Ukraine.
Lab-Grown Diamonds:
Lab grown diamonds are inherently conflict-free, as they are not tied to any geopolitical or war-related issues.