Editor’s Note
This article is based on a study commissioned by the Natural Diamond Council to address common consumer questions and misconceptions about the diamond industry. For more detailed findings, you can access the full report via the link provided.
To combat prejudices and preconceived ideas about the diamond industry, the Natural Diamond Council conducted a study to better understand the questions consumers have about the diamond industry and to provide them with clear answers. You can also read the full report of this study here.
Yes! Because they are mass-produced, synthetic diamonds exhibit characteristics linked to rapid growth, which can be easily detected using professional verification instruments.
Established over 20 years ago by the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, the Kimberley Process strictly regulates the trade of rough diamonds to ensure they are not from conflict zones. Over 80 countries participate, imposing transparency requirements, export and import controls, independent audits, and certificates guaranteeing conflict-free status for all shipments. Trade is only permitted between Kimberley Process participants. You can be certain that your natural diamond is conflict-free, sourced ethically, and comes from one of the most regulated industries in the world.
NO! This energy-intensive process requires temperatures close to 20% of the heat of the Sun’s surface. With the majority of production taking place in China and India, where the power grid is primarily fueled by coal, a simplistic claim of being “eco-friendly” is neither valid nor honest.
Declining! In less than ten years, the price of a 1.5-carat synthetic diamond has fallen by over 80% and continues to drop.
Yes! The annual global recovery of all natural diamonds of one carat and above would barely fill an exercise ball. As for 5-carat diamonds, their annual recovery would only fill a basketball.
The natural diamond industry is committed to decarbonizing in line with global climate goals. Major diamond mining companies aim for carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. The modern global diamond industry uses an area equivalent to the size of New York City while protecting and preserving biodiversity in an area more than four times larger.
Yes! The natural diamond industry supports 10 million people worldwide. Up to 80% of the value of rough diamonds remains within local communities through jobs, local procurement, investments in infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, as well as social programs, including free education and top-tier healthcare. In Botswana, this has enabled free education for all primary school-age children, increasing the number of students from 100 in 1996 to 89,856 in 2022.
Retailers are required to specify the type of diamond they are selling. Diamond Reports must clearly indicate whether the diamond is synthetic or natural. Note: The word “diamond” alone always refers to natural diamonds.
