It’s engagement season — the magical time between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day when nearly half of all couples commit to each other. This period is filled with romance and nostalgia, fueled by family gatherings and celebrations of gratitude and togetherness. Naturally, it’s also when many begin the exciting journey of choosing their engagement ring.
Rings have been a symbol of commitment in various cultures since ancient Rome, where iron bands represented strength and permanence. Over time, iron gave way to gold and by the Middle Ages, gemstones like sapphires and rubies adorned rings. Diamonds didn’t gain prominence until 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed with a diamond ring, setting a trend that would eventually dominate the market.
Today, diamonds are deeply embedded in our culture as the standard for engagement rings. But while these sparkling stones are undeniably beautiful, they often come with significant environmental and social costs. Enter lab-made diamonds — a modern alternative that challenges tradition while addressing some of these concerns.
The journey of natural diamonds
Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s crust at the base of continents where extreme heat and pressure transform carbon into crystalline structures over billions of years. These diamonds reach the surface through volcanic eruptions that produce a type of rock called kimberlite, often referred to as a “diamond elevator.” Unlike familiar volcanoes like Mount St. Helens or Kilauea, these eruptions occur at depths of over 200 kilometers, beneath the oldest and thickest parts of the Earth’s crust.
As molten material rises to the surface, it picks up diamonds along the way. Because the process happens rapidly, many diamonds remain intact as the kimberlite cools and crystallizes on the surface. For centuries, diamonds were primarily found in river deposits, where eroded rocks left behind their sparkling treasures. This changed in 1866 when a large diamond was discovered in its host rock in South Africa, revolutionizing the diamond industry.
Environmental, social costs Diamond mining has significant environmental and social impacts, often leaving a lasting footprint on ecosystems and communities for generations. Environmentally, mining disrupts vast areas of land, leading to deforestation, soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. Open-pit mining requires large-scale excavation, the use of heavy machinery and water-intensive processes that deplete natural resources and pollutes waterways.
Socially, diamond mining has a history of horrific and exploitative labor practices, unsafe conditions and ties to conflict zones where proceeds from diamond sales have funded violence and human rights abuses. In Africa alone, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and displaced through diamond-related conflicts. Although governments and market demand have helped curb the trade of “conflict diamonds,” consumers still grapple with the ethics of purchasing mined diamonds.
An alternative
Lab-made diamonds are becoming increasingly popular because they are chemically identical to natural diamonds and nearly free of social and environmental baggage. The processes used to create lab-made diamonds mimic the Earth’s natural heat and pressure conditions that originally create diamonds. While the process does take a lot of energy likely fueled by fossil fuels, the impacts pale in comparison.
TheKnot.com’s 2023 survey for newly engaged couples found that one in three couples are choosing lab-made diamonds. They can afford a larger stone and can feel confident that their choices did not come with a side of war and destruction.
For those still choosing naturally made diamonds and other gems, there are ways to still be more ethical. Look for designations showing that your stone was certified as conflict-free or better yet choose a vintage or used stone that can have new life.
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