Her: What is the most environmentally friendly diamond option? 

The controversial truth? While lab-grown diamonds make big claims about being 'green' or tote sustainability, the reality of their production is often using high amounts of coal powered energy, in countries without environmentally governance or safe labour regulations. The lab-grown diamond industry is in a race to the bottom. Carbon neutral lab-grown diamond companies are disappearing (ie. Lightbox, solar-powered) from the market because they are being under cut by less environmentally friendly alternatives. The truth about lab-grown diamonds is that they lack the transparency of origin and craftmanship that natural diamonds have to offer. In many cases, natural mined diamonds can also highlight the social and economic benefits that their mine has created, especially in rural communities where their profits have directly created infrastructure like roads and electricity for the community, new schools, and opportunities for women. (Ie Botswana), and can even trace their cutting origin. This "mine-to-market" traceability highlights the provenance and transparency of the diamond's journey to the consumer. 

So, what is an alternative to lab-grown diamonds if newly mined natural diamonds are out of the question for consumers who are deeply concerned about environmental sustainability and ethical labour practices?

The perfect balance of all those concerns comes down to choosing a diamond that is post-consumer. Also known as a reclaimed diamond or recycled diamond. This option has a lot of clients very interested because it uses what we already have. There is also an allure to antique diamonds from bygone days, one that has a story. It is this, knowing of the Provence of the diamond, whether lab-grown or mined or post-consumer, that is the most important element of the search for the right diamond choice. 

Featured here is a Reclaimed 0.25ct Canadian Diamond set in my custom designed Wave Ring, 14K Yellow Gold.