A fair generation of diamonds

To produce ethical diamonds for the jewellery industry, we take a holistic approach to sustainability – on an environmental, commercial and social level.

When Nevermined was created, the founders pursued a common mission: to produce genuine diamonds for mandana’s own jewellery collections that meet the highest quality standards – and to do so sustainably. Nevermined diamonds should act as a solution to all ethical and environmental conflicts associated with both mined diamonds and imported lab-grown diamonds.

Why lab-grown diamonds are more sustainable

Mined diamond vs. lab-grown diamond

For many decades, the diamond industry faced serious challenges. Mining diamonds was and still is associated with social and ethical conflicts and with serious environmental impacts. Gemstones known as ‘blood diamonds’ have also gained their notoriety due to a turbulent history. By producing diamonds in the lab, we at Nevermined can avoid all the conflicts that come with mining diamonds:

Natural diamonds are usually mined from opencast mines and underground diamond mines. On average, over 200 tonnes of earth needs to be moved to mine 1 carat of natural diamond. This can cause soil erosion. In comparison, lab-grown diamonds help forgo underground and open-cast mining altogether.

Despite the Kimberley Process, which seeks to stop the trade in conflict diamonds, diamond mining in some countries is associated with inhumane working conditions, forced labour and child exploitation. Fair wages are unimaginable here. Unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds from Nevermined offer absolute certainty of wearing ethically conflict-free gemstones – 100% fair and grown in Germany.

Vast areas of forest are still being cleared in the search for diamonds, gold, gemstones and precious metals. Billions of animals lose their habitat or are disturbed by noise pollution as a result. The number of trees that could offset CO2 emissions is dwindling. And all this for nothing, if the search for diamonds proves unsuccessful. Diamonds from the laboratory do not harm the rainforests or the biodiversity that lives in them.

Since there are no natural diamond deposits in Germany, all mined diamonds have come a long way. Transport from abroad is always associated with CO2 emissions. With its own production facility for laboratory diamonds in Essen, Nevermined ensures short delivery routes within Germany and Europe with climate-neutral shipping. This allows us to reduce the environmental footprint of our gemstones.

Natural diamond mining often involves scouring valuable farmland in developing countries. The land is unusable for agriculture even after the work is completed, as the upheaval removes the nutrients from the topsoil. By producing lab-grown diamonds for fair jewellery production, we help prevent the destruction of agricultural land.

Unlike the mining of precious metals, diamond mining uses water, not chemicals. Water is scarce in many places where diamonds are mined. Even though the industry is doing a lot to reduce its water use, it cannot completely avoid it – unlike lab-grown diamonds. Nor can water pollution be ruled out. Moreover, if river beds and courses are diverted for the purpose of diamond mining, this disrupts the local ecosystem and humans and animals have to look for new sources. The production of genuine diamonds in the laboratory requires no water pollution and no restructuring of ecosystems.

Work in diamond mines often leaves behind mining pits. When these pits fill with rainwater or groundwater, mosquitoes can breed more, transmitting diseases such as malaria and dengue fever in medically underserved areas. This is not a risk with lab-grown diamonds.

The exploration and mining of mined diamonds requires the use of fossil fuels. These include, for instance, diesel, petrol, marine gas and oil. Their combustion releases greenhouse gases, which has a negative impact on the environment and climate change. In contrast, real lab-grown diamonds from Nevermined are produced without using any fossil fuels. Their production requires only electricity, which Nevermined obtains from renewable energy sources.

Made in Europe

Minimal transport routes, maximum transparency

Lab-grown diamonds (“LGD”) thus stand out from natural diamonds due to numerous advantages. Nevertheless, buying LGD externally for mandana’s jewelry collections was never an option for the founding couple. Most lab-grown diamond manufacturers are located outside of Europe. This would involve long transport routes for the diamonds to Germany and highCO2 emissions. In addition, many manufacturers do not ensure full transparency about their production processes and working conditions. This would not have ensured sustainable production of the diamonds. For this reason, Christine Marhofer and Michael Marhofer have decided to produce their diamonds themselves. In our own Nevermined laboratory in Essen, Germany, lab-grown diamonds are created in the heart of Europe under fair, transparent and audited conditions.

Powered by all-natural electricity

Environmentally-friendly use of resources

The responsible and conscious use of electricity as a resource is the most important factor in our sustainable approach to production. Accordingly, we only use the best possible, most sustainable type of electricity: green energy. This is not produced from fossil fuels, but exclusively from renewable energies such as solar, wind or hydropower. We are working to cover some of our energy needs ourselves in the future.

Conscious luxury

mandana x sustainability

With the collections from mandana, Nevermined diamonds become pieces of beloved jewellery for eternity. For our jewellery brand, we also attach great importance to sustainability in every respect. We only use recycled 750 gold (18 carat) to reduce the need for new gold mining. All jewellery is packaged in sustainable cases made from an innovative vegan leather alternative made from olive residue. Even their finishing is biodegradable. Through the EarthChild Project, here at mandana, we support a South African charity that equips disadvantaged children with valuable skills for a mindful, environmentally conscious way of life – another contribution to leaving the world a better place for our children and the generations after us.

On the way to a more sustainable future

We are not perfect. And we probably never will be. But we always try to come as close as we can. New options and alternatives are constantly emerging to make existing processes that bit better, more sustainable, more durable. And that is exactly what we value. Day by day, we too are working to position ourselves as well as possible for a sustainable future. Values-based entrepreneurship is the approach we pursue. For us, it means finding solutions where they are most needed, taking responsibility for our employees and our environment, approaching natural resources mindfully and creating things that last without being wasteful. We do not wish to ease our conscience. We want to lead the way with a clear conscience to set an example for our children and future generations. This is what our commitment to sustainability entails.