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Further reading and FAQs

If you’d like to learn more about the ethical diamond trade, be sure to consult these handy FAQs and useful links.

FAQS

There have been steps taken to try and stem the tide of unethical jewellery manufacturing. These have largely laid out ways in which those working in the mines are given more of a fair and equal treatment.

Are man-made diamonds the same as ‘fake’ diamonds?

No. Fake diamonds are created artificially from products which don’t contain the same genetic makeup as an actual diamond. By contrast, those grown in a lab start off life as actual diamond seeds. The finished product has the exact same physiology as the natural thing.

Do lab diamonds lose colour over time?

Lab diamonds have all the same properties as those found in the ground. Because of this, they don’t lose colour or fade as time passes.

Do ethical diamonds cost more?

Sometimes they will and sometimes they won’t. It depends on a number of factors, like ease of production, who the wholesaler is and the size of the diamond. Prices vary like they do for non-ethical products.

Useful links

Check out some of this further reading to understand more about the ethical diamond mining industry.

CIPs analyse the use of blockchain in diamond mining:

https://www.cips.org/en-gb/supply-management/news/2018/april/de-beers-trials-app-to-verify-artisanal-diamonds/

Diamonds For Peace examine what they’re doing for child labor:

https://eng.diamondsforpeace.org/child-labor/

Fairtrade provide a guide for how to effectively buy gold:

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Gold

The Kimberley Process was set up to ensure fair treatment for miners across the world:

https://www.kimberleyprocess.com/

The Responsible Jewellery Council ensures a business operate via responsible and certified standards:

https://www.responsiblejewellery.com/

Statista look at the amount of diamonds which get sourced via a year-by-year breakdown:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/274921/worldwide-production-of-rough-diamonds/

The Swiss Gem Lab provide a comprehensive rundown of the diamond mining process:

http://www.swissgemlab.com/EducationPages/EducationDetailPage.aspx?pcid=324&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1