A Responsible Evolution: Lab-Cultivated Diamonds

A Responsible Evolution: Why We Chose Lab-Cultivated Diamonds

At Otiumberg, every material choice is made with care. We’ve spent years observing the evolution of the lab-grown diamond industry—watching closely, asking questions, and waiting until the time was right. That time is now.

Our decision to introduce lab-grown diamonds into our collections didn’t come lightly. As a certified B Corp, we hold ourselves to high standards when it comes to transparency, ethics, and environmental impact. While lab-grown diamonds offer an alternative to mined stones, many are still produced using fossil fuels, with limited oversight on sourcing or labour practices. We chose not to participate until we found partners who could meet the level of integrity we expect.

We are now proud to work with two India-based suppliers who not only meet but exceed those expectations. Both use 100% renewable energy—sourced from a combination of on-site solar power, hybrid wind systems, and external clean energy infrastructure. This ensures that the diamond’s growth journey is powered responsibly.

Each diamond is crafted using the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) method, a technique where a diamond seed is placed in a chamber with carbon-containing gases, which are then heated and ionised to form a plasma.The carbon atoms from the plasma then deposit onto the seed, layer by layer, to create a larger diamond. The result? Stones that are chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds, with exceptional brilliance, clarity, and cut—particularly ideal for our pave settings, where consistency and brilliance matter most.

Our suppliers have been rigorously audited and certified:

Supplier one meets the high sustainability standards for the SCS 007 accreditation, with 90% of the energy used in the process of creating and processing the stone being sourced from renewable energy sources. What's more, the hydrogen used in the CVD method with this supplier is created from breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is used in the reactors and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. The methane is however sourced from a commercial source.
The other supplier is SEDEX compliant and closely aligned with the draft guidelines for the Responsible Jewellery Council's LGM studies which address labor rights, environmental stewardship, and ethical governance practices.

We remain in close communication on developments with both suppliers with regards to certification and audits.

Overall, by choosing lab-grown diamonds responsibly powered and transparently produced, we take another step forward in reducing our footprint—without compromising on the design, quality, or value our community expects.

As a small business, we know the landscape is always evolving. We do our research, we ask questions, and we strive to make the most informed, forward-thinking decisions possible—recognising there’s always more to learn.