Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Carbon Negative Product?
A Carbon negative product contains carbon converted from gas form into solid form so that it cannot contribute to global warming or human-caused climate change. (source) . This is called Carbon Sequestration. It is an important tool to achieve rapid decarbonization and begin removing the excess carbon in the atmosphere to bring global Carbon Dioxide Levels down from the current level of 427 ppm, to below 350 ppm, the level at which life on Earth evolved.
What is a Carbon Sequestration?
Carbon sequestration is the capture and secure storage of carbon that would otherwise be emitted to, or remain in, the atmosphere. (source)
What is Rapid Decarbonization?
Rapid Decarbonization refers to the need to achieve drastic global carbon emission reductions. According to current projections, the 2025 IPCC climate change report executive summary highlights the critical need for immediate and drastic global emissions reductions, emphasizing that to limit warming to 1.5°C, global greenhouse gas emissions should have peaked by 2025, and be significantly cut by 2030, with a focus on urgent action in all sectors, including energy transitions, to avoid catastrophic climate impacts; it emphasizes the growing urgency of adaptation measures due to already observed climate change effects. Read The Special Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
What is a Carbon Negative Diamond?
A Diamond bearing the USPTO-registered C—(C Minus®) trademark is grown in a lab using renewable energy, such as solar power. Every C-® Diamond grown sequesters carbon so that it does not cause global warming.
I thought the goal was Carbon Neutral. Why is Carbon Negative better?
Carbon-Negative vs. Carbon-Neutral
To understand why carbon-negative products are better than carbon-neutral products, it's helpful to compare the two:
Carbon-neutral products have a net zero carbon footprint. The emissions generated during their production and use are offset by an equivalent amount of carbon removal.
Carbon-negative products go further by sequestering more Carbon than would otherwise be emitted to, or remain in, the atmosphere during production. Since we get the carbon to make our diamonds from greenhouse gases, we remove more greenhouse gases than we emit. Scientists say this has a “net-negative” effect. That is why we call these diamonds “carbon negative”, instead of “carbon neutral”. Reducing the carbon humans released into the atmosphere by burning oil, gas, and coal, since the Industrial Revolution is one of the best ways to mitigate climate change. (source)
How much does a C-® Diamond cost?
C-® Diamonds are the most affordable diamonds ever produced. At the same time, they can be considered the most valuable consumer product ever made because their production reverses the effects of human-caused climate change.
What is Carbon Sequestration?
Carbon sequestration is the capture and secure storage of carbon that would otherwise be emitted to or remain in the atmosphere.
How does producing Carbon Negative Diamonds help reverse climate change and global warming?
Carbon Negative Diamonds are produced by converting carbon from methane gas and carbon dioxide into solid diamonds. The Carbon in diamonds does not contribute to global warming or climate change. Carbon in solid form is good.
How can I tell if my diamond is Carbon Negative?
You can tell that your diamond is Carbon Negative because it has the registered C Minus® trademark on the girdle.
We require all authorized C Minus® Diamond Manufacturers to certify that 100% of the energy used to grow each C Minus® Carbon Negative Diamond comes from renewable sources, like solar power, so that no carbon is emitted during the growth of the diamond.
Where does the Carbon in your diamonds come from?
The Carbon in our Diamonds comes from Methane or Carbon Dioxide, powerful Greenhouse Gases. Since we use renewable energy to generate the power to create our diamonds, no Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere. The carbon is safely stored in the diamonds. Our Growth Process is Carbon Negative without the need to use Carbon offsets.
What are Carbon offsets?
Carbon offsets are a way to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that reduce emissions elsewhere. Products that don’t emit any carbon into the atmosphere are better than those that do and require carbon offsets to reach carbon neutral or negative status. Products that capture and securely store more carbon that would otherwise be emitted to, or remain in, the atmosphere, like the C Minus® Carbon Negative Diamond, are the best!
Are C-® Carbon Negative Diamonds certified by a third party?
Yes. Our third-party certification partner Diatrace®, provides diamond consumers with the most comprehensive ESG-Sustainability and Traceability certification in the Gem and Jewelry Industry, backed by the most advanced Blockchain technology. In addition to certifying that every C Minus® Carbon Negative Diamond is made from sequestered carbon, Diatrace’s advanced blockchain technology provides consumers with key sustainability features & benefits, such as the manufacturer’s carbon footprint, the source of the materials, country of origin, and other available data points contained in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This assures the diamond consumer transparent access to the accurate information they need to make an informed choice.
What is ESG-Sustainability?
ESG-Sustainability refers to a framework that evaluates a company's environmental, social, and governance practices to assess its overall sustainability and ethical impact. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and it provides a holistic approach to measuring a business's responsible and sustainable behavior.
What is Traceability?
Traceability is the ability to identify, track, and trace the history, distribution, location, and application of products, parts, and materials throughout the supply chain. It involves documenting and following the trail of products from raw materials to finished goods, providing detailed information about components, transformations, and movements along the value chain.
What is the Greenhouse Gas Protocol?
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is a globally recognized framework for measuring, managing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Developed in 1998 by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), it has become the most widely used standard for GHG accounting and reporting. (source)
Where can I buy a C Minus® Carbon Negative Diamond?
We will add a list of retailers once the product is available in stores. Here is a link to our online concept store
How can I apply for permission to use the C Minus® mark on the Carbon Negative Diamonds I produce?
Apply for a license to apply the C Minus® mark here: Apply for A License
I’m a Diamond Jewelry Retailer. How can I carry the C Minus® Diamond Brand?
Fill out our Retail Application and we’ll send you information about our brand.