In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to find sustainable and ethical solutions, and jewelry should be no exception. Although it’s no secret that diamonds aren’t exactly the “poster gem” for being eco friendly, many of us still dream of that classic look and feel they bring. But what if there was a conflict-free alternative? A stone that looked and felt exactly like a diamond, and to top it off  – a fraction of the cost. And no, we’re definitely NOT referring to cubic zirconia. We’re talking about Moissanite! An eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to diamonds.

Moissanite is also a precious stone. First discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan, as he was examining mineral samples from a meteor crater. And, this is why moissanite is also sometimes commonly referred to as “a gem born of the stars.” At one time these beauties used to be quite scarce. But, are now made in the majority of jewelry laboratories.

And since they’re developed in labs it obviously has less impact on the environment. And likewise, it leaves a much smaller carbon footprint.  Additionally, unlike diamonds, Moissanites are very eco-friendly. And their history is absent from many of the conflicts that remain a concern to those seeking ethical jewelry options.

Of course, if you still prefer diamonds but want to be friendly to Mother Earth, you can also opt for man-made diamonds, made in the lab and often known as LCD (Lab Created Diamonds) or LGD (Lab Grown Diamonds). These are made with the same base, but in a fast-forward process, vs. the slow and steady way nature usually makes them. 

If you’re looking to be more sustainable with your jewelry this year, Moissanite rings are the best option. You can have them as the main stone, or you can add them to a mix with other colorful gems. And you could even take it a step further and use recycled gold too. There is an abundance of advantages when it comes to choosing Moissanite over diamonds. And if you want to learn more about how they differ, check out our Moissonaite Vs. Diamond post on our blog.

In the meantime be sure to look at the Moissanite collection from Camellia.

As well as providing a more affordable alternative to your favorite stones, LGD rings, or lab grown diamond rings, also have a more ethical ethos to them, perfect for those of you that are more environmentally-conscious. Nowadays, people pay more attention to where their purchases come from, and with jewelry, it’s no different…

Lab grown diamonds allow you to have real diamonds at a lower cost, and can cost up to 40% less than naturally sourced diamonds. Labs imitate the natural growing process to produce our favorite stones and achieve spot-on diamonds, chemically and in appearance. The goal is to slowly lower the amount of diamond mining that is going on in the world, which is extremely destructive towards the environment. The less diamonds they find in the mines, the deeper they dig into the earth, which will lead to the destruction of ecosystems and of course, wild habitats. Lab grown diamonds are an alternative which still remains a diamond, you cannot tell the difference between the two!

Diamond mining also effects people – though blood diamonds are rarer nowadays, the industry has dealt with an important number of issues concerning this in the past, and it’s not totally inexistent today, particularly in Africa. Lab grown diamonds allow to slow down this industry and halts opportunities for blood diamonds, and will hopefully in the future provide a safer environment for diamond miners and their families. Despite the Kimberley Process put into place in the Noughties, brands still promoting diamond mining claim to be “conflict-free” although they have no solid evidence of this. Lab free diamonds are the only conflict-free stones.

Today, lab grown diamonds are immensely popular for their message – being eco-friendly and conflict-free. Celebrities such as Megan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has recently been seen wearing a pair of lab grown diamond earrings, to continue in her eco-friendly fashion, whilst Vogue covered the topic of lab grown diamonds at the end of 2018 – it’s becoming a trend, and not just a temporary one.