What the Project Is
The world’s most sustainable lab-grown diamond is made from the sky. Skydiamond is where science and nature come together – a modern alchemy merging sun, wind, rain and atmospheric carbon. Created in the UK using only these four elements, this is the first and only certified carbon-negative lab-grown diamond brand. Every Skydiamond is a symbol of conscious beauty and a choice to move beyond extraction and into innovation… nothing short of pure, uncompromised brilliance in design and imagination.
Main Benefit
Key figures and facts include:
- 99.79% reduced emissions – every carat produced reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 100% compared to mined diamonds.
- Negative emissions – produced exclusively with renewable energy, capturing CO₂ directly from the air and utilizing hydrogen from rainwater.
- Less waste – a laboratory process that generates 4,383 times less waste, uses 2.14 times less energy and 6.8 times less water compared to mined diamonds.
The Science Behind the Process
The process begins with extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere, which is then liquified and purified. Once the CO₂ is removed, the air released back into the atmosphere is cleaner than found originally… an essential step in ensuring diamond quality. In a clever twist, rainwater collected from the factory roof is split into oxygen and hydrogen using electrolysis. Combining this hydrogen with atmospheric CO₂ and biological single-cell life forms creates a diamond sourdough starter for producing methane – a key ingredient for the diamond mills.
The Craftsmanship Journey
Inside state-of-the-art diamond mills, tiny diamond seeds – crafted in the facility – are exposed to a ball of plasma running at about 1,000°C, roughly the temperature of the outer layer of the sun. Through several weeks of careful growth, each Skydiamond evolves in an environment powered entirely by 100% renewable energy from Ecotricity. Once matured, these diamonds are then sent in batches to world-class cutters and polishers in India. At a woman’s collective, skilled artisans train while receiving equitable pay and flexible working hours, ensuring the craft of diamond cutting prospers in a fair and supportive environment.
Fashion & Future
Skydiamond has already partnered with some of the most visionary names in fashion and design. From collaborations with Stephen Webster to Gucci Vault, and with ambassadors like supermodel and environmental advocate Lily Cole, the diamonds have gracefully slipped into the world of high fashion. The engagement in this creative realm not only reflects disruptive design but also reinforces an uncompromising commitment to a planet-conscious future… proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist elegantly.
Project Impact
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – powering the diamond creation through 100% renewable energy.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – using modern, patented techniques for sustainable production.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – drastically reducing energy, water use, and waste compared to traditional methods.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – achieving negative emissions by directly capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – reducing environmental degradation associated with traditional mining.
Sustainable Future and Innovation
Skydiamond was born to contribute to a planet-conscious future, offering another way without compromise on quality or beauty. The process is a blend of high technology and natural forces – using rain, sun, wind and an element that the world has in abundance: CO₂. CO₂ is not just a byproduct; it is transformed into brilliance. In a vibrant synthesis, each stage of the process, from air purification to plasma-enhanced crystal growth, is a testament to what can happen when nature and innovation join forces. The journey from raw elements to a hand-selected, AnchoCert-certified gem is not only about creating a stunning piece of jewellery in recycled precious metals, but it is also about setting a new standard in environmental responsibility.
