Page 56 - S Summer 2024

56
Leading the Way
Pandora is changing the rulebooks with its lab-grown diamonds.
By Robyn Bell
D iamonds are famously a girl’s best friend and for the environmentally conscious, lab-grown is the way to go.
Pandora has released its collection of lab-grown diamond jewellery, offering an alternative to mined diamonds, which are often associated with a negative environmental impact.
These impeccable jewels could mark a turning point for the sustainable jewellery industry, with Pandora leading the way through their stunning styles and innovative approach to lab-grown diamonds. As a brand with a loyal following and high name recognition, Pandora making this significant production change could rally other jewellers to follow suit.
Lab-grown diamonds are created using a pressurized system that forms diamond roughs; Pandora selects the best diamond roughs, which are then cut and polished, using the same approach as mined diamonds. Each lab-grown diamond is individually cut and crafted by skilled artisans to maximize radiance and sparkle, ensuring the final product is indistinguishable from a mined gemstone. This process has been achieved with entirely renewable energy since 2022.
The result is a nearly colourless diamond that’s certified across the highest standard for diamond quality known as the 4Cs (colour, cut, clarity, and carat), while having a carbon footprint that is 95% lower than a mined diamond of the same size. Still, these diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically identical to mined ones, with the same weight and brilliance. There are no flaws or inclusions visible to the naked
eye, ensuring optimal purity. Each stone even comes with a certificate confirming its high quality and grading.
And the sustainable approach doesn’t stop there—the diamonds
are then hand-set in jewellery made from 100% recycled gold or silver. Pandora has committed to only using recycled precious metals—a milestone they reached a year ahead of their original goal—reducing the amount of metals mined each year, which cuts out 58,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from production (the equivalent of powering 11,000 households for a year).
Even the packaging the jewellery comes in is sustainable and recyclable (while still looking like a perfectly gift-wrapped present), offering a true end-to-end eco-friendly experience.
There’s no compromising on aesthetics to achieve this low-emission jewellery—Pandora’s lab-grown collection features an array of styles, from classic to unique. Explore the reimagined infinity design with a modern twist, an eye-catching asymmetrical setting, or a traditional and timeless style, all with exceptional radiance. The possibilities for styling each item— from rings and pendants, to earrings and bracelets—are infinite, and
each lab-grown piece offers the chic characteristics expected from the legendary jeweller.
The collection reflects Pandora’s commitment to crafting high-end, thoughtfully designed jewellery to bring joy and luxury to the wearer’s life—all while doing more for the planet.
SMAGAZINEOFFICIAL.COM FASHION