Birmingham: Big demand for affordable lab-grown diamonds

At Skydiamond in Stroud, Gloucestershire, they have been making diamonds since 2019.

Chief executive Madeleine Macey said they were “optically and chemically identical” to a diamond, and it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two types.

“Natural diamonds are utterly beautiful, but, from a human perspective, it’s difficult to properly trace where your stone came from – which mine, which hands it went through,” she said.

“What we do know is the environmental factor of digging up the earth is a massive problem.”

However, the Natural Diamond Council, a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote the positive global impact of the industry, said lab-grown diamonds were not the answer.

“Most lab-grown diamonds are produced in India and China, and the electricity consumed for those comes from the grid,” said chief executive David Kellie.

“What’s really important is we protect the economies from where diamonds are recovered. A great example is Botswana. Their economy depends on them.”