Recently, artificial stones such as moissanite and synthetic diamonds have gained attention as environmentally friendly options. Famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio has even invested in a synthetic diamond manufacturing company in Silicon Valley. Furthermore, many celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Emma Watson, and Meghan Markle wear synthetic diamonds, and ethical/sustainable jewelry and fashion are becoming popular as a fashion statement overseas.

Are artificial gemstones like moissanite and synthetic diamonds truly more environmentally friendly than natural diamonds?

In conclusion, synthetic gemstones are generally more environmentally friendly than natural diamonds (this is purely my personal opinion). However, there are also mines that carefully consider environmental issues while extracting natural diamonds.

◼️What exactly makes something ethical and sustainable?

Diamonds have the following problems:

1. Conflict diamonds
2. Working conditions and child labor
3. environmental issues

1. Conflict diamonds

When it comes to conflict diamonds, the movie "Blood Diamond," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which garnered significant attention, comes to mind. To put it simply, it's a story about how diamonds are used to purchase weapons in conflict zones, leading to the massacre of many people. Child labor is commonplace, and the worst cases involve children being brainwashed with drugs and turned into child soldiers. Most of these conflict zones are in Africa.

While the extreme conditions depicted in this film have largely disappeared, they are not entirely gone. Currently, there is a system called the Kimberley Process that certifies that diamonds are not conflict-free. This international certification system, implemented in January 2003, prohibits participating countries from importing or exporting rough diamonds from conflict zones that do not have a Kimberley certificate. Imports from countries that are not participating in the Kimberley Process are also prohibited. Diamonds that meet these criteria are called conflict-free diamonds.

However, the Kimberley process has its problems. The certificate is only issued for rough diamonds, and there is no tracking after they are cut. Furthermore, the certificate is not issued for each individual rough diamond, but for a box (for example, a box containing 10 rough diamonds), making it difficult to track where each rough diamond actually came from.

Furthermore, because diamonds pass through many intermediaries, importers, and cutting factories before reaching the market, it is said that conflict diamonds can easily slip through. In addition, while only officially recognized mines are permitted to mine diamonds, many unofficial mines also exist, and these diamonds also easily enter the market. Because they are already small objects, it is easy to smuggle them across borders. However, it is also true that the Kimberley Process has significantly reduced the circulation of conflict diamonds.



2. Working conditions and child labor

However, even if the outflow of conflict diamonds is largely resolved, dangerous working conditions and child labor will not be resolved.

Most workers wear minimal protective gear, such as helmets, while working. Falls from the mines can be fatal, and many child laborers are employed there for low wages, working tirelessly day after day. While it varies by country, some workers earn less than 100 yen for a full day's work.



The International Labour Organization has recognized child labor in mines as a hazardous and harmful occupation, highlighting the harsh conditions in which children are forced to work and suffer from sexual exploitation.

3. Environmental issues

Extracting natural diamonds requires large-scale mining development. It is said that 2.5 million tons of soil are excavated to extract one carat of high-quality diamond. However, according to an African journalist who appeared in a documentary about the Kimberley Process, an average of 5 tons of soil are excavated to obtain one carat. There is a considerable difference, but in either case, there is no doubt that large-scale mining development is necessary. This has a high potential to lead to the destruction of ecosystems, and it is also true that the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and the amount of water used in the process are enormous.

◼️Do artificial gemstones largely overcome the above problems?

While natural diamonds have the aforementioned problems, artificial gemstones like moissanite and synthetic diamonds are not used to finance conflicts, and because they do not require mining, there is no dangerous labor involved, nor is there child labor. However, what about environmental issues? For example, synthetic diamonds are manufactured using methods such as HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) or CVD (chemical vapor deposition), and it is said that it takes several weeks to produce 1 carat. During that time, a large amount of electrical energy is continuously used, resulting in the emission of a lot of carbon dioxide. The amount of electrical energy used is less than that used to mine natural diamonds, so in that comparison, synthetic diamonds may be better for the environment, but depending on your perspective, it may be a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Incidentally, the moissanite used by GYPPHY is made from surplus SiC (silicon crystal), a base material for power semiconductors that has the same elemental structure as moissanite, which we receive from a major company. Therefore, we do not use electrical energy solely for the purpose of producing moissanite.

◼️Even among natural diamonds, there are ethical diamonds that are good for the environment.

At this point, you might think that natural diamonds are environmentally harmful gems, but in reality, there are mines that mine diamonds with environmental considerations in mind. They take working conditions into account, eliminate child labor, and provide non-conflict diamonds through thorough traceability management, as well as managing the use of resources such as electricity and water. While such mines are not yet widespread, there are many diamonds that you can buy with confidence. In particular, several major, well-known jewelry brands manage the diamond distribution from upstream to downstream, so you can rest assured.

This is purely my personal opinion, but if you're looking to buy natural diamond jewelry from a Japanese brand, I recommend EARTHRISE. They are thoroughly committed to ethical jewelry down to the smallest detail. HASUNA is another brand famous for its commitment to ethical jewelry. Both brands use Fairmined Gold for their precious metals and are committed to ethical practices, so I would say their jewelry is far more ethical than jewelry that simply sells synthetic diamonds (again, this is just my personal opinion).

→What is Fairmind Gold?

◼️If you're feeling anxious, it's important to do thorough research.

If you have any concerns about purchasing, we recommend contacting the manufacturer to ensure you are fully satisfied before making a purchase. If you have any questions at GYPPHY, please feel free to contact us!