Our Diamonds

Few materials hold as much symbolism as the diamond. For generations, these highly refractive crystals have represented love, strength, and eternity. Even their etymology points to unrivalled strength and brilliance: the word “diamond” traces back to the ancient Greek adámas, meaning “unconquerable” or “indestructible,” a reference to the stone’s exceptional hardness.

At Shimell and Madden, we believe every diamond is fascinating, whether it formed deep within the Earth over billions of years or was created in a state-of-the-art laboratory using cutting-edge technology. You can find out more about the science behind these crystals of carbon here.


Diamonds today come with more choice, nuance, and ethical considerations than ever before. We offer a spectrum of options to suit your values, environmental concerns, and budget.


Our approach is simple: we work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds, selected for their beauty and integrity. And importantly, it is not as simple as “mined or lab.” We offer multiple pathways of provenance, each with its own story.


Below, we share clear insight into these options to help guide you.

Natural Mined Diamonds

We work with trusted suppliers who adhere to the Kimberley Process and strict industry standards. Through these channels, we can source almost any size, shape, colour, or clarity; these diamonds form the majority of the natural stones in our collections.


Most Earth-mined diamonds come from large-scale open-pit operations. While these vary in environmental impact, many also provide economic support to the regions in which they operate.


Alongside this mainstream supply, we offer two highly traceable and ethically elevated natural diamond options: Canadian diamonds and Ocean Diamonds.

Canadian Diamonds

Canadian diamonds offer complete traceability and are mined under some of the world’s strictest health, safety, and environmental standards. We work with diamonds from the Gahcho Kué Mine, operated by Mountain Province Diamonds, a company deeply connected to the land and the Indigenous communities who share stewardship of it.


Their approach prioritises respect for local ecosystems, fair labour and workplace equality, and transparent, audited supply chains (RJC-certified), alongside long-term investment in community welfare.


For some Canadian diamonds, you can even receive documentation showing the rough stone before it was cut, a unique level of provenance provided by our highly innovative supplier. These diamonds are rarer and sit at a higher price point, but offer exceptional transparency and ethical assurance.

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Ocean Diamonds

Perhaps the most sustainable way to source a natural diamond, Ocean Diamonds are recovered from shallow seabeds off the coast of South Africa. Over millennia, these diamonds have travelled through alluvial deposits before settling on the ocean floor.


Ocean Diamonds are gathered by small teams of trained divers working on a minimal-impact scale. Their process disturbs only a tiny portion of seabed and leaves no trace once the tide passes. They operate under strict environmental regulations while supporting local divers, cutters, polishers, and communities through fair labour practices.


These diamonds are fully traceable to origin and have a carbon footprint dramatically lower than traditional mining. Like Canadian diamonds, they are extremely limited in availability and command a higher price, but many clients value their provenance, minimal impact, and rarity.

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Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are a modern evolution in jewellery, created with technology that mimics natural formation in weeks rather than millennia. They match natural diamonds chemically and visually, differing mainly in origin, rarity, and value. Natural diamonds are finite, while lab-grown stones can be produced endlessly, driving prices down as technology improves. Lab-grown options often offer larger, high-quality stones at lower cost with reduced environmental impact.

Lab-grown diamonds typically depreciate, though their material quality is lasting. Neither natural nor lab-grown diamonds should be seen as investments, as both markets shift in value.

We work with lab-grown diamonds over 1ct from a single vetted supplier ensuring fair labour, equal pay, and carbon-neutral production, with full transparency and SCS-007 certification. Unlike many large-scale producers, our source provides traceability and verified ethical standards.

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Our Honest Advice

Choosing between natural, traceable natural, and lab-grown diamonds is deeply personal. There is no universal “better” answer, only the answer that aligns with your values and vision. Our role is to offer clarity, expertise, and honest guidance so you can select a diamond that feels right for you. You can be confident that we work only with the most ethically minded suppliers across each option.

At Shimell and Madden, we are here to help you navigate the full spectrum of today’s diamond landscape with confidence.

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