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It is human negligence that has led to the environmental crisis that we are facing today. Whenever human actions or activities encroach on the natural environment, it causes more than just environmental damage. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic may seem like a natural act, but in fact, it is an illustration of our neglect and a stark reminder of our dysfunctional relationship with mother Earth.

In the context of preventing the emergence of further outbreaks, experts also say that we need to end both global heating and destruction of our natural environment for mining, farming and housing as these activities eventually drive wildlife into contact with masses which causes spread of deadly diseases and disrupts the natural world.

As industries and businesses assess how to emerge from the Covid crisis, we as consumers need to reflect on our deeds and be more mindful of our consumption. For those wondering where to begin, why not start with luxury items that are not a necessity in our lives. It is also important that customers demand sustainability and transparency from brands to lead a positive change.

Diamonds grown above the earth/non-mined diamonds have become increasingly popular among consumers over the last few years. Similar to the concept of test-tube babies and naturally born babies where the procedure varies but the output is exactly the same. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds that are grown in advanced labs by replicating the diamond creation process which occurs below the surface of the earth bearing the exact same properties, composition and characteristics.

How eco-friendly are lab-grown diamonds?

Considering that lab-grown diamonds are grown above the earth, they completely eliminate the heavy extraction costs linked with traditional diamonds, making them the sustainable and ideal choice among consumers.

One carat of lab grown diamond can save up to:

109 gallons of water

1.5 billion times carbon emission per carat

250 tonnes of land

At least 30% of your money

150 million carats of diamonds mined each year destroys:

More than 16 billion gallons of water

More than 37 billion tonnes of land

There is a demand for sustainability and the rise of eco-friendly diamond jewellery.

The global crisis has affected the overall luxury market and the pace of recovery is expected to be slower than anticipated. It will naturally have an impact on the global jewellery and gems industry. However, the pandemic has left a severe impact on the consumer’s mindset and a significant change is expected in their purchasing as well as behavioral patterns. The key consumer trends likely to be seen are:

Increased social and environmental consciousness – consumers are most likely to support sustainable products

Ethics will be as important as aesthetics – brands that actively communicate their core values, principles and stand up for the appropriate ethical practices will be embraced quickly. Increased demand and love for national products – whilst governments have also started working towards reducing dependencies on other countries, nationalised products will begin to gain higher confidence in the eyes of the consumer. Luxury brands will have to re-consider price points to remain “affordable” – ‘value for money’ will be given utmost importance.

Online shopping will become even more popular

In short – “Purchase with a purpose is most likely to be the new definition of luxury” and this spells out one clear answer that once economies revive, change in consumer mindset is going to popularise non-mined diamonds further all over the globe

Sustainable diamonds are emerging as the new true symbol of love

To tackle the ongoing environmental crisis, millennials and younger generation of consumers are being mindful of their purchases more than ever and are making environmentally sustainable choices. With the world becoming aware of the advantages of lab-grown diamonds, these sustainable stones have emerged as the new true symbol of commitment and love among these luxury consumers who wish to build a brighter future.

However, one of the biggest change-makers is that these diamonds are grown in labs and not extracted from earth, hence leaving it free of mining manipulations. Since there’s no mining involved, these diamonds save up on the mining costs, and the resulting lab-grown diamonds are at least 30% cheaper than their mined counterparts.

In addition to separating retailers from the mined diamond industry, lab-grown diamonds act as a bridge to a younger generation who may not necessarily connect with the perceived value of real diamonds and are looking for affordable and still attractive options.

Lab-grown diamond production has sky-rocketed in recent years, with 6-7 million carats produced in 2020 alone, though still a small industry compared to diamond mining, which peaked mor than 150 million carats in 2017 and stands around 111 million carats currently. Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly pitched as the sustainable choice to price- and planet-conscious young consumers.

Experts say the best way forward for the diamond industry is one that benefits from lab-grown diamond innovation. Without addressing the issues, the mined diamond industry risks distancing a new generation of socially and environmentally conscious consumers. Shoppers expecting an easy fix - which lab-grown diamonds have been marketed as - will not be disappointed.

Diamonds are one of the strongest and most durable substances on Earth. They do need regular maintenance to keep them as shiny, bright and beautiful as possible. There is no doubt that there is no better feeling than looking at your clean and shiny diamond jewellery. 

However, cultivated lab-grown diamonds and traditionally mined diamonds have mostly similar properties, as they are identical, visually and molecularly. They are also equally durable, so they need to be cared for the same way people care for their traditionally mined diamonds.

So, lab-grown diamonds are also prone to getting dirty just like any other gemstone or mined diamond. They have excellent resistance to scratching from dirt and dust, but it doesn’t repel it. Sweat, lotion, and dust build up and dull your lab-created diamond. Hence proper jewellery care is needed to maintain the shine of lab-created diamond.

How To Keep Lab-Grown Diamonds Clean and Shiny?

1. Wash them with warm water once a fortnight

It is very important to take care of your lab-grown diamond for a long-lasting shine and luster. We at Greenlab recommend the easiest way to clean your diamond at home by soaking your piece in a simple solution of water and a few drops of mild dish soap about once a week, depending on how often you wear it.

As the light passes through the way of a diamond, it sparks. Sometimes, when diamonds do not get regular cleaning, the dust, oil, sweat, and other things block the passage of light, which results in dullness. Thus, unless diamond is being cleaned regularly, one cannot expect them to sparkle as they should.

However, diamonds are very easy to clean and as suggested earlier, you need some warm water, a soft toothbrush and a very mild soap. Take some warm water and dip your diamonds in the soapy warm water and take them out and clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to never clean your diamonds with toothpaste.

Greenlab recommends cleaning of the diamond's face along with back side of the diamond, where dirt can easily accumulate. Ideally, diamonds should be cleaned once a fortnight to maintain their spark. If you are cleaning your diamond at home then do not use any sort of chemicals which can result in eroding the metal prongs or even dissolving them.

Alternatively, you might combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1/2 cup of white vinegar and let the items soak for about 2 hours. After taking off the jewellery, users can take help of a soft toothbrush to remove any lingering oil and grime that might have become lodged in any confined spaces.

2. Avoid touching your lab-grown diamond directly.

To get the shine and luster of your lab-grown diamond for a long period of time, one should avoid touching it. It can be tempting for people to play with diamonds, but due to this, diamonds can naturally attract a lot of grease and oil, so ensure to handle lab-grown diamonds sparingly.

3. Avoid all harsh chemicals.

Lab-grown diamonds are incredibly resilient but sometimes harsh and corrosive. Other household cleaners like bleach or similar household cleaners can damage the alloys in the gold, and other corrosive chemicals can scratch or tarnish gold and other metals. So, make sure to protect your diamonds from such harsh chemicals to make them last a long time.

4. Take extra precautions.

We at Greenlab understand how precious your lab-grown diamond jewellery is to you, so make sure you take the essential safety measures to guarantee that your grown diamond ring or jewellery is secure. Do this by using a gentle touch while washing over a sink and by blocking the drain when doing so. Your lab-grown diamond jewellery will continue to shine with a little extra care, just like the day you fell in love with it.

5. Dry and polish gently.

Use the toothbrush (paste, not gel) to gently clean your lab-grown diamond jewellery, rinse it off with water, and then carefully pat it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

6. Be Cautious with Sun Cream or Hand Lotions.

When you apply some sunscreen or hand lotion, make sure to remove your diamond jewellery, as it can cause a film on your jewellery. While swimming, you should also remove your diamond jewellery as the pool contains chromium, which will cause damage to your diamond.

Conclusion

It has to be said that storing diamond jewellery or gemstones is the key to keeping them clean and shiny. Although they come with a box, sometimes we forget to put that jewellery back in it. To keep the diamond jewellery shining like new, you must take extra precautions by wrapping it in a soft cloth, which will help in preventing your diamond from coming into contact with other items, along with the air and dust. 

‘Estar sanos depende de cada uno y del modo en que cuida su cuerpo’.

✔️ Iniciamos con este lema en nuestro espacio de trabajo, que en conjunto con todas las integrantes, hemos logrado alcanzar el aprendizaje sobre practicar una vida saludable, y es por eso que queremos compartir con ustedes nuestros conocimientos e investigaciones detalladas sobre algunos alimentos, rutinas o buenos hábitos, ejercicios, datos nutricionales, entre otros elementos que descubrirán en cada área y cuál es su relación con cada rama.

👉🏻 Puedes acceder a más información mediante otros recursos como son videos nuestros, podcast grabados y algunos organizadores gráficos. También, puedes encontrarnos en YouTube como GREEN LAB Grupo 5 SDG.

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Student Helps Create Green Lab Program

Sustainability continues to be at the forefront of hearts and minds, even at CSU. Did you know that compared to a standard office, a single laboratory can use ten times as much energy and four times as much water?  

With the stat in mind, the Office of Sustainability knew there was an opportunity to offer simple adjustments that could go a long way. Sustainability intern, Alethea Watson, secured a grant to fund the Green Lab initiative led by Jennifer McMillin, CSU’s Director of Sustainability.  Now, they just needed a student to help get things off the ground.  

Meet Grace Weyman Heller, a junior biology and environmental science double major, who was up for the task. Heller interviewed CSU lab faculty, researched best practices for green labs at other universities and then compiled her findings to create an official Green Lab Guide and Checklist, two key components that round out the Green Lab Program.

We asked Heller about her experience helping to create the Green Lab Program from the ground up.  This is what she had to say…

Grace Weyman Heller

Junior Biology and Environmental Science double major Willoughby Hills, Ohio

CSU: How did you get involved with the Green Lab program? GWH: The opportunity was emailed out to students. I thought it sounded like a great way to get involved with the university in an impactful way. Sustainability is of particular interest to me as a Biology and Environmental Science double major.

CSU:  was your favorite part of the process? GWH: Interviewing the faculty members. Not only was it fun to interact with functioning researchers, it was extremely insightful as to what practical changes could be made to create a more sustainable laboratory environment.

CSU: Did you learn anything new while researching green laboratory practices? GWH: My main takeaway was the intense impact daily decisions make. This can include simple habits like turning off lights and closing the fume hood when not in use, to even larger choices like purchasing ENERGY STAR equipment.

CSU: What are some of your recommendations for making labs more sustainable? GWH: Actively participating in sustainable habits and educating lab members about the impact of these habits. These could include simple practices like turning off unnecessary lights or equipment when not in use along with closing the fume hoods.

CSU: Why is it important for students to think about sustainability in labs? GWH: It is something that everyone can contribute to and make a significant difference. Learning sustainable lab practices as a student will lead to a life of sustainable research, which is imperative to the future of our planet.

CSU: Sustainability goes hand-in-hand with Biology and Environmental Science. What about these majors drew you to choose them? GWH: I have always been extremely passionate about the environment and conservation as nature was a significant part of my childhood. I have spent a lot of my free time learning how to better coexist with the world around me through sustainable living habits. Majoring in biology and environmental science allows me to not only understand the various processes of the world, but also how to facilitate a better relationship between humanity and these processes.

CSU: How did this experience with the Green Lab benefit you? GWH: I aspire to get a PhD and conduct research in environmental science or ecology. With an intent to contribute to the betterment of the environment, the Green Lab program has allowed me to be more conscious of sustainable lab practices so that the path to a greener future is green as well. I also realize that the value of research discoveries is proportional to the extent they are communicated and turned into action. The Green lab program is an example of this important communication and, hopefully, ensuing action.

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