Diamonds
From Air

Atmospheric carbon capture involves technologies that remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air to mitigate climate change. There are two main approaches: 1. Direct Air Capture (DAC): This method uses large fans to pull air through a filter that absorbs CO2. The captured CO2 is then concentrated, purified, and stored underground or used in various industrial processes. Some DAC technologies use chemicals that bind with CO2 and release it for storage or utilization.

2. Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): BECCS combines bioenergy (burning organic materials like plants) with carbon capture. As plants grow, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. When burned for energy, the released CO2 is captured and stored, effectively removing more CO2 from the air than was emitted during burning.

Both methods aim to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels, but they have challenges like energy requirements, cost, and efficient storage. However, they offer the potential for combating climate change by offsetting carbon emissions and lowering atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

Lab grown diamonds grown with carbon capture technology can increase the cost per carat slightly. Initial setup costs for the technology's infrastructure and equipment can elevate production expenses. However, efficiency improvements and technological advancements will eventually mitigate the impact, rendering carbon capture more cost-effective for lab-grown diamond production in the long run.

Yes, diamonds cultivated using atmospheric carbon capture boast enhanced sustainability. By capturing CO2, these lab-grown gems reduce their carbon footprint, offering an eco-friendly alternative to mined diamonds. This aligns with the increasing consumer demand for ethically and environmentally conscious choices in the jewelry industry.

It is important to note that the overall environmental impact depends on the companies doing the carbon capturing and factors like the energy source used, the efficiency of the technology, and the disposal of captured carbon.

Hydrocarbon synthesis is a process used in growing diamonds through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a method for creating lab-grown diamonds. In this process, hydrocarbon gases like methane are introduced into a controlled chamber along with hydrogen gas. The gases are then heated to high temperatures, breaking down the hydrocarbons into their elemental components, including carbon.

The carbon atoms from the hydrocarbons settle on a diamond substrate or seed crystal in the chamber, gradually forming layers of crystalline diamond as the gases continue to react. This process allows for the controlled growth of diamond crystals atom by atom. The result is a high-quality lab-grown diamond that can be used for various applications, including jewelry and industrial uses.

In the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method of diamond growth, methane gas (CH4) is one of the key ingredients used to grow diamonds. Methane gas is broken down into its component carbon and hydrogen atoms inside a vacuum chamber, and the carbon atoms are deposited onto a substrate to form a diamond.

Methane is used as a precursor gas in the CVD diamond production process; the amount used is relatively small compared to the emissions from other sources of methane, such as livestock farming and fossil fuel extraction. Nonetheless, we need to reduce our carbon footprint in the products we purchase. Companies like MiaDonna are making all efforts to improve sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of diamond production, including exploring the use of renewable energy sources and improving the efficiency of the diamond production process.

Typical Diamond labs source methane and nitrogen from industrial gas suppliers. These gases are commonly used in various industries, including in the production of electronics, chemicals, and energy.

A more sustainable method is to source methane gas from natural gas wells or biogas produced from organic waste. Nitrogen gas can be sourced from the air through a process called air separation, which involves separating nitrogen from other gases such as oxygen and argon.