THESE DAYS, DIAMONDS ARE A WAY TO EVERYone’S HEART.
Emily Allen: Columnist
Diamonds may be forever, as the song goes, but natural, mined diamonds have become a growing source of controversy over recent years. Their centuries-old dominance is being challenged by the growing prevalence of lab-grown gems, virtually identical to their mined counterparts, but without the ethical and environmental concerns that surround the diamond mining industry.
Advancements in technology and shifting consumer values has led to these dazzling cruelty-free diamonds’ deserved moment in the spotlight – lab-grown diamonds now occupy just over 18% of the global diamond market – and Astrea is re-evaluating this popular, niche market even further, redefining what it means to own a diamond in the modern age.
Astrea was founded with a singular goal: to offer a premium, sustainable, and ethical alternative to traditionally mined diamonds. The company takes its name from Astrea, the Greek goddess of justice and purity – an apt symbol for a brand that seeks to ensure that every diamond sold is a product of both beauty and integrity. It prides itself on crafting bespoke, contemporary jewellery. Some of their beautiful pieces have been worn by celebrities including supermodel Coco Rocha on the red carpet for the Cannes Film Festival.
Unlike other brands in the lab-grown diamond market, Astrea London is currently the only company to offer diamonds of only D, E & F colour (equivalent to the top 1% of mined gems globally), and all IGI and GIA certified. Founded by Claire Ferrini and Nathalie Morrison, Astrea had its debut launch at Villa La Coste in France in 2024, and opened a boutique at the Fairmont in Windsor Park late last year.
Astrea’s story traces back over 25 years ago, to the grandmother of co-founder Claire, Margaret Coglin, who was an early advocate for lab diamonds’ ethical and traceable qualities, and encouraged Claire to sell them when she grew up. Buoyed by this vision, Claire and Nathalie set out to create a business that would sell visually stunning lab-grown diamonds with a significantly reduced environmental impact and at a more affordable price – and so Astrea was born.
…producing stones that diamond experts and gemologists alike are unable to tell apart from their mined counterparts
Taking Perfection that bit further.
Astrea’s stones are grown by a team of scientists using technology that mimics the natural diamond formation process, producing stones that diamond experts and gemologists alike are unable to tell apart from their mined counterparts. Using high-pressure, high-temperature or chemical vapour deposition methods, and utilising a seed of mined diamond, conditions are recreated in which the jewels form beneath the Earth’s surface, producing diamonds over two to four weeks that are identical to mined ones in terms of physical properties and chemical composition.
The outcome is a stunning series of diamond collections, containing stones that are significantly more affordable than mined diamonds, and completely ethically traceable, free from the human rights violations that have marred the history of mined diamonds.
Astrea’s The Eternal Collection offers elegant and superior diamond pieces, including tennis bracelets, stud earrings, and eternity rings, designed for sleek everyday style, while The L’Amour Collection boasts an exclusive array of timeless engagement rings and men’s jewellery.
Offering a truly bespoke service, Astrea London also invites customers to design their own stones, allowing them to create a truly singular gem with no limit on carat quality.
One of the biggest advantages of Astrea’s lab-grown diamonds is their affordability. Lab-grown diamonds are typically 20-40% less expensive than mined diamonds, offering a significant cost saving for consumers. This price difference allows Astrea’s customers to purchase larger, higher-quality diamonds than they might have been able to afford in a traditional setting, without compromising on the ethical standards they care about. So, the old tale of spending three months’ salary on an engagement ring can firmly be put to bed.
Astrea’s hard-working team includes a dedicated group of experts, ranging from gemologists from around the world, to designers, industry specialists, and experts, all united by a commitment to excellence and sustainability, and bringing together years of experience and expertise in jewellery design, gemmology, and sustainable business practices.
Contact
Phone
UK +44 (0) 203 488 7645
Email
enquiries@astrealondon.com
Address
Fairmont Windsor Park Bishopsgate Rd Windsor, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0YL, United Kingdom
