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Kyocera, pioneer in lab-grown gems, launches ethical website detailing manufacturing process and sustainable development goals

Company’s first production of “CRESCENT VERT” emeralds dates almost 50 years ago.

  • Corporate
  • Watch and Jewelry Industry

Kyoto/London − Almost 50 years ago, Kyocera Corporation created its first lab-grown gemstone, an emerald, thus launching the “CRESCENT VERT” jewelry brand. Translated as “green crescent moon,” the jewels that Kyocera produces using the recrystallization technology, are extremely pure without flaws or imperfections. Furthermore, these synthetic gems are ethical by design and friendly to people, society, communities, and the environment. Ethical jewelry has since become a social phenomenon in recent years around the world. Furthermore, the demand for lab-grown gems is increasing.

New website with further information

As a pioneer in lab-grown gems, Kyocera has created a "new website" outlining the ethical details of the CRESCENT VERT manufacturing process. The site also includes information about Kyocera's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which guide its business with principles, seek to "Eliminate inequality among people and countries" and promote "Peace and fairness for all."

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Kyocera's CRESCENT VERT jewelry began in 1975

Birth of Kyocera’s lab-grown gems

The history of lab-grown gems is long, with research and development believed to have begun around 1900, more than 120 years ago! When Kyocera began developing lab-grown gems in 1970, high-quality natural gemstones were already in short supply, and not everyone could afford to buy them. However, the first lab-grown gems were considered “imitations” and not immediately embraced.

Beautiful gems accessible for more people

Kyocera’s Founder Kazuo Inamori inspired the original CRESCENT VERT gems, explaining, “The real charm of gems is to give people dreams and enrich their minds. But now it’s being forgotten.” He wanted to make beautiful jewels that would be accessible to more people. Since producing its original emerald, Kyocera has expanded to 14 different lab-grown gems, including sapphire, ruby, opal (white, black, pink, blue, fire and water), and more, using proprietary crystallization technology developed for semiconductor ceramics.

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Kyocera's lab-grown gems

Ethical value of lab-grown gems gains recognition

"Ethical consumption" refers to the purchase of verified fair-trade and locally grown products for local consumption that consider the environment and society. As climate change, labor exploitation, and sustainability influence consumer choices, lab-grown gems are being recognized for their ethical value. Generally, natural gems are mined by hand 30 meters underground, in what many consider a harsh working environment. In some cases, conflicts and disputes may occur between regions over limited quality resources; additionally, valuable gems can be sold to finance wars and terrorism (e.g., so-called “blood diamonds”).

Kyocera leverages recrystallization technology to produce extraordinary natural gems at its Kyoto Fushimi Site (Kyoto Prefecture, Japan), using ore that does not require hazardous mining. As a result, there is little difference in terms of chemical, physical and optical properties between pure Kyocera lab-grown gems and gems mined from the Earth.

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left: beryl ore; right: crucible in the same state as the magma inside the earth represented in the factory

Kyocera pioneers lab-grown gemstone manufacturing

Ethical consumerism is a rising trend as more consumers consider how products are manufactured when making purchasing decisions. Ethical consumers want brands to align with their own values, embracing the philosophy and manufacturing methods of lab-grown gems, which are nurtured in consideration of working conditions and human rights. Furthermore, ethical consumers want brands to align with their own values in areas such as the natural environment.
URL: https://global.kyocera.com/prdct/jewelry/rough_stone/#sec1007

For almost 50 years, Kyocera has created lab-grown gems that help deliver dreams and enrich the heart of humanity. Using its unique technology and development capabilities, Kyocera aims to create a world where people, the environment, and society coexist.

Further images are available by clicking the following link: https://transfer.serviceplan.com/index.php/s/E4L5bNaqZeXc3xt (Password: SyntheticGem)

Editorial Material