While most people still think of diamonds as being created over millions of years deep in the earth’s crust, increasing concern over the environmental degradation that often results from diamond mining is causing more and more people to reconsider the purchase of mined gems. Many are choosing more reasonably priced man made diamonds instead.

Diamonds have been a token of love and commitment for many years. Their sparkle, fire and brilliance invite delight, but their beauty does not reflect their often ugly origins. It can require the removal of as much as a ton or rock and earth to recover a single one-carat stone. This open pit mining leaves a tragic and ugly scar upon a once beautiful landscape.

Even worse, this kind of mining destroys the local eco-system, pollutes the environment, and adversely affects all local residents, animals and humans alike. Just try imagining the long term effects of releasing huge amounts of cyanide and mercury (the products used to free gems from their rock casings) into streams and rivers. It’s not a pretty picture. Fortunately, man-made diamonds offer an excellent alternative to supporting this eco-disaster.

Produced in the controlled environment of a lab, “cultured” stones are grown from diamond seeds. These tiny diamond bits are placed in a carbon environment, heated and pressurized, and allowed to grow just as diamonds do in the Earth’s crust (but it takes weeks rather than months). A small amount of electricity is required, but no other resources are necessary. This process does not need cyanide, mercury, or other harmful chemicals. It also doesn’t require tearing apart the earth, nor does it cause humans or animals to suffer, as occurs all too often in diamond mining. Up to four percent of the total mined diamond supply is comprised of conflict or “blood” diamonds, which fund terrorism and war in developing nations.

Diamond mining in countries like Canada still impacts the environment to some degree, but war and terrorism is not an issue. Also, Canadians have created much higher standards to protect the environment. Canadian mines are strictly regulated and carefully monitored. Most Canadian stones can be identified via a microscopic polar bear or maple leaf inscribed on the gem. While this certainly helps identify natural stones that are more eco-friendly, man made gems still have the most minimal effect on the environment.

Fortunately, lab grown gems are the real thing. They are identical physically, chemically and optically to mined diamonds, featuring the same brilliance and sparkle. They are even recognized and graded as diamonds by leading gemological laboratories. Also, “fancy,” or colored, diamonds are rare in nature and extremely expensive… but lab created gems in vibrant shades like pink, green, blue, yellow, and red cost about two thirds of what similar mined stones do.

Gem-quality lab produced diamonds are such a recent development that most jewelry stores don’t yet offer them. However, these stunning gems are available for purchase online through reputable companies. Man-made gems are the perfect choice for you or your socially and environmentally conscious loved one.

Looking for environmentally friendly diamonds and jewelry? The only diamond producer recognized by Earthshare, JewelNet.com is the premiere provider of man-made diamonds. They offer loose stones and bridal jewelry, pendants and earrings with certified stones in six vibrant colors. Visit the website for a free e-book on Diamond Savings. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services

Related posts:

1. Man-Made Diamonds Vs. Natural Mined Stones – What’s The Difference?
2. History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
3. Man Made Diamonds – The Artificially Created Diamonds

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