Lab grown diamonds have increased in popularity in recent years, not only because of their realistic appearance, but also because they are more affordable.
These one-of-a-kind diamonds are created in laboratories using technology that mimics the natural diamond-growing process, which involves a tetrahedral arrangement of carbon atoms that are securely bound together.
The process produces, physically, and chemically identical diamonds to those formed beneath the Earth’s surface.
How lab-made diamonds differ from natural diamonds.
While the structural differences between lab-grown and mined diamonds are minor, one of the most significant variances is in origin. Natural diamonds are often extremely old.
It is reported that diamonds were formed up to 3.5 billion years ago, deep within the Earth, under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, and were brought to the surface through ancient volcanic eruptions.
Another significant difference is in price. Lab diamonds are often cheaper. In most cases, up to half the price of the naturally mined diamonds.
Most people opt for other types of rings due to the price of diamonds, but many people can now afford diamond rings thanks to lab grown diamonds.
Why have lab grown diamonds become too popular?
While lab-grown diamonds have been available in the jewelry industry since the 1980s, they have recently gained favor among consumers and merchants, particularly among millennials and Generation Z.
Experts agree that the unexpected spike in demand over the last decade is primarily due to these jewels becoming more widely available in popular sizes and color ranges.
Their increased availability, transparency, and retailer and consumer education have largely played a role at dispelling the notion that they are a ‘fake’ product that is not a real diamond.
Lab-grown diamonds also appear to align with the environmentally conscious mindsets and ideals of younger and future generations. Buyers are now able to own diamonds created by these standards. Other factors that have led to the popularity of lab-grown diamonds include:
Low price:
The scarcity of mined diamonds contributes to their high price. Getting the diamonds depends on complex and expensive mining operations.
Other factors contributing to their cost include the work and energy used in mining and polishing the stones and origins. Some of the rings travel long distances before they get to the stores in your area, which contributes greatly to the high cost.
On the other hand, lab diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds—by up to 50%—because the same supply networks do not govern them. Advances in technology also make it possible for manufacturers to craft lab-created diamonds at a lower cost, making them even cheaper.
They are durable:
Natural diamonds are made of carbon, as are lab-grown diamonds. As a result, both stones are equally durable. They are both the hardest materials on the planet—a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale—and are resistant to chipping and other forms of damage.
This means that if you buy a lab-made diamond, it will last just as long as a naturally mined diamond.
They come in different colors:
A high-quality lab-grown diamond will be rated on the same color scale as a mined diamond. There is little optical difference between a lab-grown and a natural diamond, and most couples look for stones graded G to J, which are nearly colorless.
True colorless diamonds, graded D to F, are extremely rare.
If you have the patience to find these diamonds, you can go ahead and find them, but if you don’t have the time, there are many other colors to choose from. There is no right or wrong color to get. It all depends on you and your preferences.
They offer more value:
As you can tell, lab-made diamonds have more to offer. For one, they are more affordable. They also look as good and are as durable as their mined counterparts.
While this is true, you should note that all units aren’t equal. This means that a certain company will make better lab made diamonds than others. To ensure that you get high-quality units, take your time to research and find high-quality units sold by a reputable store such as labgrown.com.
Which should you buy? Mined or lab-made diamond?
That is an incredibly personal question that should be answered after considering the points raised above.
Experts recommend that you go for a lab-grown diamond if you are interested in a ring where the stone is not the primary source of value. You should get a mined diamond if an investment-grade solitaire is your dream ring.
If you are confused about the choice, it’s wise that you seek the services of an expert.
Even if lab-grown diamond rings might be attractive due to their low cost and excellent features, you should note that they are made in different ways. To ensure that you are buying units that match your ideals, take time to research them.
You should learn how the rings are made and the source of the energy used to make them. It also doesn’t hurt to take your time to find reputable companies making high-quality diamond rings using the best and energy-efficient ways.
Parting shot:
Lab-made diamond is made from a “seed” that is made up of pure carbon and can be either natural or lab-created. The seed is placed in a vacuum, and carbon molecules assimilate into the diamond seed.
It’s nearly like 3D printing a diamond. Once the diamond has ‘grown’ in this chamber, it will be ready for cutting and polishing, just like a natural diamond.
A lab-created diamond is chemically identical to a real diamond because it is still pure carbon.
As much as this is the truth, as mentioned above, take time to research and find a diamond made by a reputable brand. The last thing you want is to spend money on a diamond ring only to find out that it’s poorly made.
A good rule of thumb is to spend a few days online and offline to compare the different rings until you find the right one.
