On May 6, the Danish jewellery giant announced that carbon emissions data will now appear alongside the traditional diamond grading system of Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat across its “Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds” collection.
The move reflects a growing shift in luxury, where transparency and environmental impact are becoming as relevant to consumers as craftsmanship and rarity.
Summary
- Pandora introduces carbon footprint labelling for its lab-grown diamond products
- The company adds “Carbon footprint” as the “5th C” alongside the traditional “4Cs”
- A 1-carat Pandora Lab-Grown Diamond emits 12.58kg of CO₂e, approximately 90% lower than a mined diamond of the same size
- Pandora stopped using mined diamonds in 2021 and now exclusively uses lab-grown diamonds created with 100% renewable electricity
- All jewellery is crafted using 100% recycled silver and gold
- The carbon footprint study was conducted by external experts and independently verified by EY
- Pandora plans to share its methodology and findings with other jewellery brands to encourage greater transparency across the industry
Under the new initiative, product pages for “Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds” will display greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the diamond creation process — from raw material production to growing, cutting and polishing the stones.
According to the company, a one-carat “Pandora Lab-Grown Diamond” carries a carbon footprint of 12.58kg CO₂e, roughly 90% lower than that of a mined diamond of comparable size.
“We believe the future is about making diamonds more accessible while giving customers clarity on what they’re buying. We craft our jewellery with sustainability in mind and by introducing the 5th C, we’re empowering consumers to make informed choices,” said Berta de Pablos-Barbier, CEO of Pandora.
A Post-Mined Diamond Strategy
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds, sharing the same carbon structure, brilliance and hardness. They are produced by placing diamond seeds in a controlled chamber with carbon-rich gases and replicating the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions under which natural diamonds form.
Pandora phased out mined diamonds in 2021 and now exclusively uses lab-grown diamonds created with 100% renewable electricity. Its jewellery is also crafted using 100% recycled silver and gold, reinforcing the brand’s broader sustainability positioning.
The company says these measures have dramatically reduced the environmental impact of its diamond jewellery. As one example, Pandora noted that the carbon footprint of a 14k gold “Pandora Infinite Ring” with a one-carat lab-grown diamond is comparable to that of a pair of jeans.
Verified by EY
The carbon footprint calculations were conducted by external life-cycle assessment experts and independently verified by “EY.” The study follows internationally recognised ISO standards, including ISO 14067:2018, ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006.
Pandora also plans to share its methodology and findings with other jewellery companies, positioning transparency as an industry-wide issue rather than a proprietary initiative.
“As consumers demand greater knowledge of how their products are made, transparency is becoming a defining force for brands. We are happy to share our learnings with others,” de Pablos-Barbier added.
Currently, “Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds” are available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark, with further market expansion planned.
When Transparency Becomes Luxury
Luxury consumers today are increasingly evaluating products not only by how they look, but also by how they are made. Among Gen Z and millennial shoppers in particular, sustainability and supply chain visibility have become central considerations in purchasing decisions.
Against that backdrop, Pandora’s introduction of a “5th C” signals more than a sustainability campaign. It reflects a broader shift in luxury, where environmental data is beginning to function as part of the product itself — not simply a brand message.
As sustainability evolves into measurable product information, the jewellery industry may be entering a new era of value comparison.
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