For centuries, diamonds have been regarded as symbols of eternal love, characterised by their rarity, scintillation and lustre. But behind the glamour of these stones lies a cold, hard truth: an industry plagued by forced labour, civil violence, and pollution.
Some of the world’s largest diamond mines, such as the Argyle mine in Australia and the Diavik mine in Canada, have reached a point of exhaustion in recent years. This depletion has worsened year by year, and production is now at a multi-decade low. After all, natural diamond mines are only a finite source. It is estimated that the 40 diamond mines accounting for 90% of global production spread throughout Botswana, Russia and other countries have a lifespan of no more than 50 years.
The hidden cost
However, the problems associated with natural diamonds extend beyond dwindling supplies. Diamond mining requires large amounts of water and energy and causes considerable damage to the surrounding ecosystems. It is often associated with deforestation, displacement, soil erosion and water pollution. Massive open-pit excavations can also trigger landslides and mudslides.
Moreover, labourers suffer from a plethora of diseases as a result of working in diamond mines. A study by Gill Nelson et al. in 2011 found that workers are at risk of asbestos exposure and may develop asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, and mesothelioma.
Then come the blood diamonds, which are mined diamonds involved in illicit sales and used to fund military action. It is nearly impossible to deduce a diamond’s geographic origin. Although the Kimberley Process was introduced to verify that diamonds are conflict-free, regulatory gaps continue to allow blood diamonds to be smuggled across borders. As a result, these diamonds contribute to political and civil conflict.
These concerns raise an important question: can the beauty and durability of diamonds be preserved without the social and environmental costs of mining? In recent years, the answer appears to be yes, through the use of lab-grown diamonds.
A sustainable alternative emerges
The first proven synthetic diamonds were made by GE (General Electric) in 1954, under a project codenamed “Project Superpressure.” They utilised the HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) process, which mimics the conditions under which natural diamonds form in the Earth’s mantle.
In 1962, another method known as CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) was first used. This process involves depositing diamond material onto diamond seeds through chemical reactions involving carbon-rich gases.
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to their natural counterparts. Until 2018, they were sold at a modest discount to mined diamonds. Due to improvements in the efficiency of laboratory equipment, the price of lab-grown diamonds has continued to decline over the years. Now more affordable and traceable, lab-grown diamonds preserve the qualities that have made diamonds desirable since time immemorial while avoiding much of the damage linked to conventional production.
India’s push for lab-grown diamonds
India has also begun to recognise the potential of lab-grown diamonds as a sustainable and economically viable alternative to mined stones. In the Union Budget 2023-24, the Government of India announced measures to encourage indigenous production of lab-grown diamonds, including support for research into HPHT and CVD technologies.
As part of this initiative, in 2023, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) was awarded a five-year grant of approximately ₹243 crore by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to establish the India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD).
The centre aims to develop domestic expertise in diamond seeds, machinery, and manufacturing processes.
To put things into perspective, Table 1 consolidates the results of the 2025 Natural Diamond Council report and a 2021 study by Vladislav Zhdanov et al. to compare attributes of natural and lab-grown diamonds.
The staggering variation in carbon emissions for lab-grown diamonds can be attributed to the energy source used for production. Diamonds created using coal-heavy power grids have higher carbon emissions, while those manufactured using renewable energy sources have a much lower carbon footprint.
The latter aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which emphasise the transition to cleaner energy systems and more sustainable manufacturing practices. Furthermore, the use of renewable energy in diamond production reflects the principles of a circular economy, where resources are utilised more efficiently and environmental impacts are minimised throughout a product’s life cycle.
Although lab-grown diamonds are not entirely free from environmental concerns, the next generation of consumers is increasingly drawn to them as a more sustainable alternative to mined diamonds. This shift in public perception reflects a growing emphasis on ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility, and product traceability.
Their advantages become even more significant when one considers the wide range of applications diamonds have in modern society. They are used in heavy-duty industrial processes, including cutting and drilling, as well as in quantum computing, protective coatings that extend equipment lifespan, semiconductor manufacturing and several other fields.
For a material so deeply woven into both industry and culture, selecting the more economical and sustainable option becomes no longer a choice — it is a responsibility.
(Prof. N. Arunachalam is currently working as a Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and also leading the HPHT technologies development activities for growing diamond in lab as part of India Centre for Lab-grown Diamond (InCent-LGD), IIT Madras. Dr. S. Boominatha Sellarajan is working as a Principal Project Scientist at InCent-LGD, IIT Madras, Dr. U. Vishnuja is working as Project Manager at InCent-LGD, IIT Madras. Miss. Anupama Janakiraman is an 11th Std. student studying at Sishya School, Adyar, Chennai).
Published – August 04, 2026 08:30 am IST
