The Contour of Luxury Summer 2019 | Page 172

“Real. Unique. World Positive.” Those are the standards by which jewelry industry disrupter Diamond Foundry holds their flawless “above-ground” diamonds. Founded in 2012 by Martin Roscheisen and Jeremy Scholz, both from the tech industry, Diamond Foundry, in collaboration with Dover Street Market, is changing the jewelry-making game with its innovative approach to producing diamonds through 100% carbon-neutral and renewable energy-based processes, employing solar power credits to diminish their carbon footprint to zero The Diamond Foundry x Dover Street Market Collaboration is aimed more at the next generation of luxury consumer. New luxury consumers value and are willing to support projects that promote and enforce sustainability and ethical production. This is largely how the collaboration succeeds in the diamond market, and distinguished supporters such as iPod co-creator Tony Fadell, Facebook co-founder Andrew McCollum, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio are particularly keen on the humane, sustainable aspect of above-ground diamonds. Through the support of big-name designers like Ana Khouri and Delfina Delettrez, man-made diamonds are radiating with their escalating recognition and popularity. In fact, even the name ‘man-made’ in relation to diamonds is changing to one with a more positive connotation. Having been regarded for so long as ‘synthetic’ alternatives to mined stones, manufactured has been exuviating its ersatz image as it progressively edges into the spotlight. Now, ‘lab-grown’ and ‘above-ground’ are the preferred appellations..