What to Buy When Diamonds are an Ethical Problem

Sensibilities are changing, and more people than before are starting to understand the ethical implications that go with wearing a diamond. Luckily there are several options for a potential ring buyer to consider. We are in the middle of a laboratory-created revolution, and the monopoly that the diamond industry has had on the market for many years, is shifting.

Choices Choices

Couples who are looking for an engagement ring with meaning, but without the ethical implications have the option of choosing between grown diamonds, which are actual diamonds, but which are not mined; diamond replicas, which are crystals that are engineered to more or less copy the look and the hardness of actual diamonds, and lastly there is moissanite, a stone which looks and feels similar to a diamond, but which is not the same thing.

Two schools of thought exist about moissanite. One half consists of people who believe that moissanite is a cop out, and inauthentic, and who believe that their intended spouse will be horrified to get anything but a diamond in their engagement ring. The other half like the idea of breaking with tradition, and who like the idea of something that looks as good as a diamond but comes without the cost and ethical implications. Nothing wrong with a cheap moissanite diamond ring that aligns with your own values!

A quick history of moissanite

Moissanite was first discovered in its mineral form by a French geologist named Henri Moissan, following meteorite hit in Arizona. With the rock samples having come from a meteorite crater, many sellers erroneously credited moissanite as coming from the stars. This is incorrect, as moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral and can be found in several rock formations around the globe. The catch is, the form in which it is found is not in the form of crystals which are suitable for use in jewellery.

A cleaner option

In general, moissanite is ethically produced. In comparison natural Diamonds can be found in kimberlite formations underneath the Earth’s surface or in river beds and on the floor of the ocean. It is also well known that large corporations mine diamonds in Africa, where they dig deep underneath the earth to discover the buried treasure. Diamonds can also be sourced through alluvial mining, which involves sifting soil from stream bed deposits by hand. These are all controversial methods of mining, as machinery is a leading cause of pollution, and mining destroys natural environments. African miners are forced to barely survive on wages that are very low, considering the great risk of the work they do. I don’t know about you, but given this information, a cheap moissanite ring is sounding like a better option than ever.

These reasons all add up to a new generation of people making choices that are morally and ethically grounded. Moissanite is of a similar hardness to a diamond, making it a sound structural choice for jewellery that is to be worn daily. For non-traditional couples, or even traditional ones with an evolving mindset, lab-created moissanite gems are an excellent option for those who are committing themselves to living a greener and more environmentally sound life.