Pandora Adds Carbon Footprint to Diamond Grading Standards

greenretail.world

by clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 points

Pandora is introducing carbon footprint as a fifth metric in diamond grading, alongside cut, color, clarity, and carat. The company now publishes emissions data for its lab-grown diamonds, which are produced using 100% renewable electricity. According to verified lifecycle assessments, a one carat lab-grown diamond generates about 12.58kg of CO2e. This is roughly 90% lower than the emissions associated with mined diamonds of the same size.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

Adding a carbon metric to consumer grading is a start, but the real test is the methodology. I am glad they are making the EY verified study public. Without a standardized industry framework for lab-grown emissions, these numbers are just company specific claims.

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

True, but the 90% reduction compared to mining is a massive gap. Even if the accounting varies slightly, the difference between open pit mining and a lab is hard to argue against.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

They claim 100% renewable electricity for the growth process. I wonder if that is through direct PPA contracts or just buying unbundled RECs. The actual grid impact depends on where those labs are physically located.

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

Good point. The article mentions the carbon footprint includes raw materials and polishing too. If they are using RECs to mask a coal heavy grid, the 12.58kg figure might be optimistic.