What do we know about diamonds made in laboratory conditions? They are called ethical and eco-friendly but these aspects are the object of hot discussions that tip the scales to one or another side bringing no clarity on the issue. While initially, the nature of the diamonds and their similarity to each other were in the focus, today we more often can hear about their levels of threat to the environment. It was recently announced that artificial diamonds move towards zero carbon footprint but can we take this news as absolute truth?

Let’s look at the root of the production process to evaluate this announcement critically.

So, what is the initial difference?

If talking about the birth processes of both natural and synthetic diamonds one can be sure that there are no differences. Both gemstones are born in conditions of high temperature and high pressure. Yet, one - deep in the soil, the others – above the Earth in the laboratory. It became possible thanks to scientists who managed to replicate the natural process and take it under human control.

If taking into account that mining belongs to the most environmentally-harmful industries that affects many living processes and violates health functioning of ecosystems, artificial diamonds can be called indeed ethical and onscious solution.

Yet, there are many aspects questioning the safety of the laboratory process. There are its high energy-consuming, heating the atmosphere, and identical basic material used for growing both natural and synthetic diamonds. Carbon seeds are central element enabling to grow diamond and it can be found mostly in soils, albeit should be mined like natural diamonds. This fact was long been veiled since it overshadowed the invention.

Why we can now speak openly about carbon seeds?

Scientists took a pause before revealing this fact since they were looking for a way to get the carbon without mining. They succeeded to do this right for few years. Today we know at least two ways of getting carbon seeds for artificial diamonds – extracting them from the air and purifying the atmosphere from other industries’ carbon footprint and using cremation ashes as the source of it.

And these are not all promising inventions. Gemologists succeeded in shortening the time of production from months to days. This progress contributes to reducing water and energy use and thus decrease the initially harmful effect on the environment.

And even that point is not the last word in terms of artificial diamonds' safety. Making the diamond at room temperature is now a proven fact. Laboratory practice enabled researchers to make experiments that result in crystalizing carbon just by applying the right pressure under the right corner.

Madestones assures that currently we can be sure that the carbon print of grown synthetic diamonds is close to zero points. Apparently, scientists will not stop researches and, most likely, soon the question about the relevance of such news would not even appear in our minds.