Lab grown diamonds are becoming more and more prevalent as the trend grows. People are drawn to them for ethical reasons as they are not moving thousands of tons of earth to retrieve the rare gem although they do use a lot of energy to create, it still is far less of a footprint than mined diamonds. But are they worth buying? The question is polarising…
Is there any difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds. So not just to the naked eye, but under magnification they look exactly the same. They have varying colour gradings and also different clarity gradings with different types of inclusions just like natural diamonds do.
Is a lab grown diamond a real diamond?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds and can only be identified by either their laser inscription on the girdle of the stone or by specialised testing equipment. The composition is the same as a natural diamond. It is as hard, bright and sparkly as a naturally produced diamond from the earth.
How are lab grown diamonds made?
There are two types of lab grown diamonds, HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition). They both use a “seed” of a diamond and then placed into a chamber. HPHT stones grow from the centre outwards in 16 directions creating a cuboctahedron and CVD stones grow in 1 direction creating a cube shape crystal. Natural diamonds grow in 8 directions creating a octahedron shape crystal.
The rough crystal is cut just like a natural diamond, by hand
Why do people choose mined diamonds over lab grown and vice versa?
“If I’m spending a big chunk of money, I want something that is real”.
It has to be said that lab grown is not for everyone. There is something to be said about the story of how nature made that diamond crystal and the millions of years it took under extreme heat and pressure. Volcanic activity then brought them to the surface, laying in volcanic rock formations called kimberlite pipes. People have found these deposits and then over time learnt how to cut them.
Natural diamonds have a steady price also. Lab grown diamond prices have been coming down significantly in the last ten years with technology improving to be able to create larger stones. So, you may pay for a lab grown stone today, but next year, the same stone may be cheaper.
For some, cost is a big factor. As the price of lab grown diamonds are far cheaper than mined, it means that a budget can be stretched further than buying mined. Less money, bigger diamond is what it comes down to, This obviously has a huge appeal.
For example a $10,000 budget in a mined diamond round brilliant cut engagement ring in a FVS2 quality, you might get around 0.80ct diamond in a ring. In lab grown you for the same grade you could get something close to 2.00ct.
Should you buy natural or lab grown diamonds?
This question is where it will differ from person to person. If appearance is the only factor for you, then either option would work for you just as well.
If cost is a factor for you, then a lab grown diamond may be worth considering.. But just be aware that the price you pay now could go down in the future. The question is, are you buying the diamond as an investment or as a piece to be worn for the sake of the piece being worn?
If you are drawn to the real deal, the wonder of naturally produced gemstones and the story of how that diamond came from the depths of the earth to onto your or your partner’s finger and the cost isn’t out of reach, then maybe a natural diamond is for you.
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