Can lab grown diamonds truly promise a greener future—or do their environmental claims need a closer look? Madeleine Macey, CEO at Skydiamond, recently spoke with the Financial Times about why transparent metrics and real innovation are essential as the industry evolves. Here’s how Skydiamond is setting new standards and redefining what it means to be the world's most sustainable man-made diamond producer.
Rethinking Lab Grown Diamonds—Sustainability Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Lab grown diamonds have gained immense popularity, with buyers drawn in by ethical sourcing and sustainable promises. Yet, as Madeleine Macey highlights, “There is a widespread misconception that all lab-grown diamonds are equal. They’re not. [Our] stones are carbon-negative by design”. While the industry celebrates technological advances, the details of how each diamond is made—and at what environmental cost—remain less discussed.
Macey points out a critical gap: “Without a recognised metric for environmental impact, the market risks losing sight of the real innovation happening in this space.” Many diamonds labelled as “lab grown” vary dramatically in how they're produced, especially concerning their energy sources and carbon footprint.
- Some manufacturers rely on fossil fuels to power their production, which undermines environmental claims.
- Whereas, Skydiamond, focuses on using 100% renewable energy and extracts carbon directly from the atmosphere.
The Skydiamond Difference: Turning Air into Lab Diamonds
Skydiamond stands apart by using a technology that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as a raw material for creating diamonds. This innovation doesn’t just reduce environmental harm— Skydiamond has negative emissions compared to both mined and lab-grown diamonds.
There is a widespread misconception that all lab-grown diamonds are equal. They’re not. [Our] stones are carbon-negative by design.
What does this look like in practice? Skydiamond’s approach is all about closing the loop:
- Capturing CO2 from the air
- Using 100% renewable energy from our sister company Ecotricity to power production
- Recycling rain water during manufacturing
- Ensuring traceability at each stage
Founder Dale Vince's vision was to take something damaging and transform it into something beautiful and enduring.
I was looking for ways to not just capture carbon from the atmosphere but hold it in a permanent way, and of course, a diamond is the purest form of condensed carbon. But importantly for me, it’s also a chance to show people there is another way, a better choice than land-mining, without compromise
Why Industry Transparency Matters
The surge in lab grown diamonds’ popularity has led to more questions about their actual environmental credentials. Macey urges the sector to embrace verifiable standards: “The technology has moved so quickly that standards have struggled to keep up, leaving consumers at risk of being misled.”
She believes clear labelling and lifecycle analysis are crucial to avoid greenwashing.
“If we don’t have transparent metrics, there’s no way for people to know the difference between a diamond created with fossil fuels and one made in a truly circular way,”
- Transparent standards empower buyers to make informed choices.
- Industry-wide analysis supports continuous improvement and sustainability leadership.
Championing Real Innovation Over Empty Claims
Skydiamond’s commitment runs deeper than technology alone. It’s about reimagining the entire system.
This means challenging assumptions about what it means for a diamond to be ethical or sustainable:
- Educating customers about the diverse range of lab grown diamond production methods
- Highlighting carbon negative diamonds can be achieved through innovation.
- Advocating for stronger third-party certifications and collaboration across the sector
- Asking how and where their lab grown diamond was created
- Seeking transparent, science-based impact reports
- Supporting brands driving climate innovation and accountability
Conclusion
Lab grown diamonds present an exciting shift in the jewellery landscape, but only through rigorous standards and genuine innovation can the sector fulfil its promise of sustainability. As Skydiamond demonstrates, questioning how things are made is just as important as what’s made—ensuring each diamond truly sparkles, inside and out.
find out more on how a Skydiamond is made.
