Lab-grown diamonds are marketed as an ethical alternative to natural stones, but mining companies argue they’re no match for the real thing. Here’s a look at how synthetic gems are made — and how they compare to those culled from the ground. (11/6/2016)WHETHER YOU’RE BUYING “ethically harvested” honey made by local beekeepers or wallets stitched in a family-owned factory in Portugal, so-called “conscious shopping” has become almost unbearably trendy. With their less-than-wholesome mining history (often involving human and environmental tolls), diamonds were ripe for a virtuous makeover. Companies producing lab-grown diamonds with renewable energy have popped up globally, touting the gems’ ability to dazzle without harm.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 01, 2019 18:11 UTC