Diamonds for Humanity
One of the big topics lately among jewelers is conflict-free diamonds. The Diamonds for Humanity necklace is a 35 carat necklace of created diamonds that was shown before the Oscars and Diamonds for Humanity also contributed to a SWAGG bag (Sustainability, Wellness And Green Gifts) that was given to Oscar attendees who took a Prius instead of a limo to the big event. The Diamonds for Humanity project is part of Gemesis, a company that manufactures cultured diamonds in a variety of colors. Gemesis diamonds are created from a "diamond seed" and grown in a lab as opposed to being mined in conditions that often cause human rights concerns. Gemesis uses machines that mimic the heat and pressure that form a diamond over time to create a diamond in a few days. Traditional diamond companies are none too thrilled with Gemesis and resent the label of conflict-free since many diamonds are mined in areas such as Canada and Russia. If a perfect diamond can be created in a lab is there any reason to continue to mine or is knowing that your diamond was created over time by nature important enough to raise the value of natural diamonds over lab-created ones?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Piers Fawkes Dec 18th 2005 6:01PM
We wrote about Gemesis last summer and wondered what angle they could take - I think this is a great approach but the effect a move to man-made diamonds may have on African countries would be a concern.... it's never as easy as it seems, no?
Lilly Dec 18th 2005 6:01PM
Actually, according to their press release: "The 35-karat Diamonds For Humanity necklace is made of 44 conflict-free Canadian diamonds and 11 Gemesis-certified cultured canary diamonds." It's not all created diamonds, just not African.
Piers Fawkes Dec 18th 2005 6:01PM
The impact on economies I meant