Diamonds are an iconic symbol of love and appreciation, whether you’re getting engaged, giving a gift, or treating yourself to some beautiful jewelry. Unfortunately, for shoppers concerned about human rights and environmental concerns, finding an ethical diamond may prove challenging.
Many jewelers advertise their ethical engagement rings as “conflict free,” but what they fail to mention is that just because a stone meets Kimberley Process standards doesn’t guarantee it was mined with responsible practices.
Ethical sourcing
Ethical sourcing is the process of guaranteeing diamonds aren’t sourced from countries where human rights abuses or environmental harm have taken place. Additionally, it requires workers to have secure workplaces with equitable wages and conditions of employment.
The Kimberley Process Certification and System of Warranties is the most commonly utilized system to regulate diamond trade. This system guarantees that all steps in the diamond-trading process (from miners to wholesalers to retailers) certify that each diamond is conflict-free.
The Lab grown diamonds Process is an invaluable tool for consumers to identify ethically-sourced diamonds, but it does not cover all aspects of the supply chain. Customers should inquire their retailer about their policies and practices regarding ethical sourcing before making a purchase.
Ethical mining
If you’re thinking about purchasing a diamond engagement ring, it is essential to take into account the industry’s ethical sourcing and production practices. Don’t end up with a stone that has caused human rights abuses, unethical labor conditions or environmental degradation during its extraction.
Fortunately, there are a number of ethical diamond retailers who source their stones ethically. These businesses require their suppliers to abide by stringent labor laws and environmental standards.
Another alternative is purchasing a recycled diamond. These stones look almost identical to newly mined diamonds, but have been recut and polished for optimal brilliance.
An ethical diamond alternative is artisanal mining, which employs small-scale miners in remote communities of Africa and Botswana. Companies engaged in this practice provide their miners with environmentally friendly practices and safeguard their sites from pollution or deforestation.
Ethical treatment of workers
When purchasing diamonds, it is essential to guarantee they were mined under safe and equitable conditions. Ethical diamonds have become increasingly popular as a way of combatting human rights abuses such as child labor, forced labor, and other unethical practices.
Another way to guarantee ethical diamonds is by searching for recycled diamonds. These are diamonds which were previously purchased and then put back on the market again, decreasing the risk of unethical mining.
Some companies rely on the Kimberly Process to guarantee their diamonds are conflict-free, but this certification only goes so far; it doesn’t take into account issues like human rights violations, worker exploitation and environmental degradation.
Ethically sourced diamonds are beneficial not only to workers and the environment. They’re more sustainable and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while being much more cost effective than their synthetic counterparts. By choosing ethically sourced diamonds, you’re helping ensure the world remains a better place for generations to come.
Ethical treatment of the environment
As more people become aware of the environmental damages caused by diamond mining, a need for ethical sourcing and sustainability is growing. This is largely due to shifting consumer demand patterns and an appreciation that gems play an integral role in one’s identity.
Ethical diamonds are mined with minimal environmental damage. This is accomplished by using artisanal miners who employ age-old techniques while minimizing harm to local ecosystems.
Artisanal mining methods are an ideal way to empower people in rural communities and give them a fair wage. This empowers them to lead better lives and raise their families in safe, happy, and healthy conditions.
Conclusion
Some companies even go so far as to construct airtight systems that benefit their surrounding community. Kalahari Dream, a member of the Natural Diamond Council, protects 1,023 square miles of land-equivalent to three times their mining area-for wildlife protection purposes.
