I’ve always been a big fan of jewelry, specifically diamonds. However, in my SOCI 230 class that I’m currently taking, I learned about the harmful environmental and social effects of the diamond industry. Diamonds were initially considered jewels for the super-elite. The supply of diamonds increased due to the expansion of mining in Africa. By the late 1940s, De Beers launched the “A diamond is forever” campaign, which allowed them to control the market, alter Americans’ social attitudes, and persuade people into thinking that a marriage wouldn’t be complete without a diamond ring. The exploitation of mineral resources, such as diamonds, has created negative impacts on the environment through deforestation, soil disturbance, air emissions, surface water pollution, groundwater contamination, dust, noise, workplace health and safety, and others. Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are diamonds stained by severe human rights violations such as forced labor, beatings, torture, and murder. Although I love my jewelry, I would never be able to justify purchasing a diamond after learning about its negative environmental and social impacts. However, there are more sustainable options.
One of the options that I stumbled upon recently was the Smog Free Ring. The Smog Free Ring is part of Dutch artist, Daan Roosegaarde’s Smog Free Tower project. The Smog Free Tower is nearly 23 feet (7 meters) tall and draws in polluted air, cleansing it through an ionization process before releasing it once more. Recent tower campaigns have started in Poland, the Netherlands, China, South Korea, and China. The compressed smog particles collected from the tower create stones for the Smog Free Ring, which can be purchased on their Kickstarter for €250.
Although it is not the perfect alternative to a flashy diamond, like a moissanite is, the Smog Free Rings represent the convergence of cutting-edge technology, design, sustainability, and fashion. The carbon-negative rings indicate a new mindset for a sustainable future in which people become part of the solution rather than the destruction.
sopheaklita chy
April 15, 2023 — 4:04 pm
I really enjoyed reading and learning about different jewellery alternatives. I am also someone who is into fashion and accessorising. I’ve only recently learned about the carbon footprint and different social issues around mining for diamonds. I wonder what the carbon emission for producing moissanite is. Smog Free Rings is a cool carbon-negative ring but I don’t think from the consumers’ perspective that it could replace diamonds.
tanyat04
April 17, 2023 — 11:40 pm
Hi Lily!
This was a surprising read because I am also taking SOCI 230 this term and it was truly shocking to learn how the diamond industry works. I’ve actually had the Smog Free rings advertised to me multiple times on Instagram, so I guess now I have a reason to check them out. I find it fascinating how firms find ways to make concrete products out of what I thought was not even physically tangible or visible to the naked eye. Though I think this is a great sustainable alternative, I do believe that the product is placed at a relatively high price point, creating an economic barrier for many. Hopefully, the firm will be able to recognize this and provide more affordable alternatives so that more people can partake.