There has been much buzz in the jewelry industry over lab grown diamonds. But are they real?
Lab diamonds are made from carbon crystals and have the same chemical makeup as a natural diamond. They are also lab grown diamonds Australia graded using the 4 C’s (color, cut, clarity and carat) just as natural diamonds are.
1. They’re Real
Unlike fake diamonds like cubic zirconia, lab grown diamonds are made of carbon. They also pass the same tests that natural diamonds must go through to be certified and graded. They’re just as real as any mined diamond, and are guaranteed to sparkle just as brightly.
While some jewelry stores may not offer lab grown diamonds, they’re becoming more common and are growing in popularity. It’s not hard to see why – they look the same, cost 30% less carat-for-carat than mined diamonds, and support responsible sourcing.
Another big advantage of lab grown diamonds is their resale value. Mined diamonds lose value over time because of rising inflation and lower demand, but lab grown diamonds retain their value for a lifetime.
2. They’re Natural
The concept of a lab grown diamond may be met with some skepticism when shopping for the perfect engagement ring. It’s understandable to feel this way as the idea of a’synthetic’ diamond being professionally grown in a lab doesn’t exactly line up with the romantic notions many associate with a mined diamond.
However, it’s important to know that a diamond, whether lab grown or natural is a real diamond. A lab grown diamond has the same chemical composition as a natural diamond and is incredibly similar in appearance. It’s virtually impossible to tell the difference between a natural and lab grown diamond, according to industry experts and leading scientific publications.
MiaDonna lab diamonds are created using a process called CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). A small piece of carbon, known as a seed crystal is placed in a chamber and subjected to intense heat. The resulting chemical reactions create layers of carbon atoms that form a square shaped diamond crystal. This diamond is then cut and polished and inspected for inclusions by the same labs that certify earth-mined diamonds.
3. They’re Ethical
The diamond industry is shifting with the times, as many young couples are opting for less traditional engagement rings. As a result, lab grown diamonds have gained traction as an ethical alternative to mined gems, with a large number of jewelers offering the more sustainable option.
The beauty of lab created diamonds is that they are chemically, physically and optically identical to their naturally occurring counterparts. But the difference is that instead of being formed in the crushing pressure and extreme heat of Earth’s mantle, they are forged in the controlled environment of a diamond lab.
This process has been credited with saving the planet a significant amount of resources, as well as money. It has been argued that mining diamonds releases over 57kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, while lab grown diamonds are reported to only release a few grams of CO2. Additionally, because they don’t require the digging up and transporting of raw materials, the cost to produce a lab grown diamond is significantly lower than that of mined gems. This helps keep prices competitive.
4. They’re Affordable
Since lab diamonds aren’t dependent on nature, they don’t have the same rarity that natural diamonds do, which makes them much less expensive. The savings are passed on to the consumer, so you can get a bigger stone for your money.
According to Allied Market Research, the lab diamond industry is growing at a tremendous rate. As the competition grows, lab diamond companies are pushing hard to improve their technology so they can produce higher quality gems for cheaper. It’s likely that in a few years, the price of a lab-created diamond will drop even further.
Those lower prices mean that couples who might not be able to afford a naturally-sourced diamond can still get the rock they’ve always wanted. That’s why ring shoppers are flocking to lab grown diamonds. James Allen, the renowned online ring retailer famous for being the ring provider on Married at First Sight and other reality shows, reports that lab grown diamond engagement rings sold in record numbers this month, rising by 80% compared to last year. They’re also 73% cheaper than a similar natural-sourced ring.
5. They’re Unique
The idea of a synthetic diamond might not line up with your preconceived notions of romance, but a lab grown rock can actually be more unique than a natural one. Because lab grown diamonds aren’t forged in the same way as naturally occurring ones, they can be more creatively cut for more visual impact. This makes them a great choice for engagement rings, where consumers want something special and individual.
The same grading agencies that evaluate natural diamonds also assess lab grown ones, so you can be confident that the two man made diamonds UK will look identical under the microscope. This means that the value of a lab grown diamond will not depreciate the same way that mined ones do over time.
Conclusion
Additionally, many of the same manufacturers that create natural diamonds also produce lab grown ones. One such brand, WD Lab Grown Diamonds, recently received a certification of sustainability from the global audit and standards firm SCS Global Services for their Latitude collection of lab grown diamonds. This ensures that each WD ring is sourced in a responsible manner and has zero carbon emissions associated with its production.
