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The ecology of diamond sourcing: from mined to synthetic gems as a sustainable transition

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  • Saleem H. Ali

    (University of Delaware
    University of Queensland)

Abstract

Luxury goods such as gemstones constitute a challenge for moving towards a sustainable society. From a purely bio-economic perspective, such goods consume planetary resources to provide a human “want” rather than a “need”. However, their extraction or manufacturing also provides important livelihoods for communities along the supply chain and hence contribute towards development outcomes. Comparing mined versus synthetic gems can provide consumers with important benchmarks on choice. The energy usage and emissions in mined versus lab-created diamonds was evaluated, based on industrial data, since these two factors are often a general indicator of environmental impact that can be useful in product comparisons. Depending on the process and the location of the mine, the data can be highly divergent and cannot be used as a singular measure of environmental impact. There is a need to develop life cycle analysis techniques from industrial ecology to conduct a detailed comparison of synthetic versus mined stones. Informed consumers could help to transition this luxury good towards a mix of mined and synthetic gems that best meet ecological and social metrics of sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Saleem H. Ali, 2017. "The ecology of diamond sourcing: from mined to synthetic gems as a sustainable transition," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 115-126, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbioec:v:19:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10818-016-9241-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10818-016-9241-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Delgado, Michael S. & Harriger, Jessica L. & Khanna, Neha, 2015. "The value of environmental status signaling," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 1-11.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jennifer Kunz & Stephanie May & Holger J. Schmidt, 2020. "Sustainable luxury: current status and perspectives for future research," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 13(2), pages 541-601, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sustainable consumption; Luxury goods; Diamond mining; Diamond synthesis; Consumerism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation

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