Mined Diamonds

The truth about how and where they come from.

What is a Mined or Natural Diamond?

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over billions of years and are extracted through heavy mining, often damaging the environment and affecting local communities. Due to rising concerns about the ethical and environmental impact of mined diamonds, many consumers now prefer lab-created Azalea diamonds as a responsible and beautiful alternative.

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Impacts of Mined Diamonds

Moral Impact

Mined diamonds have historically funded wars, human rights abuses, and violence, especially in Africa. Even with initiatives like the Kimberley Process, concerns over illegal smuggling and conflict diamonds remain. Recently, Russian-mined diamonds have been linked to financing military actions.

Environmental Impact

Diamond mining causes deforestation, community destruction, and long-term environmental damage, leaving a lasting scar on the planet.

Quality Compromise

Budget limitations often force buyers of natural diamonds to settle for lower quality, whereas lab-created Azalea diamonds offer better value, beauty, and ethical peace of mind.

Moral Impact

Natural diamonds have long been linked to funding global conflicts, especially in Africa, where they have been used to finance wars and cause widespread human rights abuses. To address this, the Kimberley Process was created in 2003, aimed at certifying diamonds as conflict-free and preventing the trade of blood diamonds. While it has reduced the number of conflict diamonds, illegal smuggling and loopholes remain. Recently, Russia, one of the largest producers of smaller natural diamonds, has been using the revenue from mined diamonds to support its war efforts against Ukraine.

Environmental Impact

Mined diamonds cause significant environmental harm. The extraction process requires moving large amounts of earth, leading to deforestation and habitat destruction. It takes 250 tons of earth to find one carat of diamond and 126 gallons of water for mining just one carat. Diamond mining also releases harmful greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Lab-Azalea diamonds, on the other hand, use 85% less water and have a lower environmental footprint. While natural diamonds remain popular, lab-Azalieadiamonds offer an ethical and eco-friendly alternative.

Compromise: Azalea Diamonds

Natural diamonds have long been linked to funding global conflicts, especially in Africa, where they have been used to finance wars and cause widespread human rights abuses. To address this, the Kimberley Process was created in 2003, aimed at certifying diamonds as conflict-free and preventing the trade of blood diamonds. While it has reduced the number of conflict diamonds, illegal smuggling and loopholes remain. Recently, Russia, one of the largest producers of smaller natural diamonds, has been using the revenue from mined diamonds to support its war efforts against Ukraine.

What’s the Alternative to Mined and Natural Diamonds?

An ethical alternative to mined diamonds is Azalea diamonds, created using advanced technology that replicates natural diamond-forming conditions. These diamonds share the same chemical composition, physical properties, and optical brilliance as mined diamonds, making them a popular choice for conscientious consumers. Azalea diamonds are typically more affordable than natural diamonds and don’t carry the environmental toll of traditional mining. They also come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, offering more options compared to mined diamonds, which can be difficult to source in certain specifications.

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