Ever heard of recycled diamonds? These aren't your everyday pieces of jewelry, but maybe they should be.
What are Recycled Diamonds?
Recycled diamonds, also known as upcycled or repurposed diamonds, are diamonds that had a previous life in another piece of jewelry. It's a diamond that has been removed, thoroughly cleaned, and re-set into a new piece.
- They are eco-friendly: Mined diamonds disturb an average of 250 pounds of earth per carat. Since recycled diamonds are being reused instead of newly mined, they leave a much smaller carbon footprint. Plus, the recycled diamond movement is a great way to avoid supporting conflict diamonds.
- They are budget-friendly: Because of their ‘pre-owned’ status, recycled diamonds tend to be priced more affordably than newly mined stones. We're talking about all the sparkles without all the zeros!
- They produce unique pieces: Bringing new life to an existing diamond often results in one-of-a-kind upcycled designs. Talk about a surefire way to stand out at your next soiree.
In a world where sustainability is thankfully becoming a buzzword, reclaimed diamonds are like a personal act to support the cause.
The Origins of Recycled Diamonds
Repurposing precious gems is anything but a new concept. The crown jewels of England have a long history of being dismantled and re-designed from coronation to coronation. Many of those same precious jewels were owned by Indian royalty before colonization.
Think also of family heirlooms; a grandmother's antique engagement ring re-set to fit her granddaughter's finger. Gold from an old chain melted down into a stronger, contemporary style. Reclaiming antique diamonds gives a whole new meaning to your jewelry without compromising on value or ethics.
Recycled Vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds
You may be wondering which is the more sustainable jewelry: lab-grown or recycled diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultured diamonds, are grown under strict laboratory conditions that imitate the natural process of diamond formation. These diamonds share the exact physical, optical, and chemical properties of mined diamonds, providing an alternative that mitigates the environmental and social issues associated with mining.
While they're less disruptive than mined natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds aren't totally guilt-free. They require quite a bit of energy to be grown and cut, with the most conservative production methods using 250 kWh per ct.: as much energy as a household uses in 8.7 days, or enough to charge a Tesla 2.5 times. And, actually, most producers use twice this much energy.
It's clear that, in terms of sustainability, recycled diamonds take the cake.
Recycled Diamond Spotlight
Are Recycled Diamonds as Valuable as Mined Diamonds?
Now the million-dollar question is, when it comes to recycled diamonds, do they hold the same value as their mined counterparts? In a word, yes.
Diamonds, being one of the most durable gems, are perfect candidates for upcycling. Handling, redesigning, or cutting them into a new shape and style does nothing that degrades the quality of the gem.
The value of diamond jewelry isn't in where it comes from, it's in the qualities it possesses. A recycled diamond retains all of its intrinsic value and often comes with a lower price tag because they're not fresh from the earth.
Where to Buy Recycled Diamond Jewelry
Here at Shana Gulati, our signature style is handcrafted 18k gold vermeil jewelry. We're all about ethical luxury, and as such, we incorporate recycled diamonds and eco-conscious materials into our unique designs. By marrying these with traditional Indian gems, we bring forth pieces that echo the artistic richness and cultural depth of Jaipur, India, the city that inspired our style. Each work is a testament to the craftsmanship of our skilled artisans, masters in the art of Indian jewelry creation.