Difference Between Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds?
When lab diamonds are mentioned in comparison to real diamonds, there is a debate as to the authenticity of lab created specimens. It is important to establish some truth, which is that lab diamonds are real diamonds. Only their mode of creation makes them different. Of course, that may not be enough to persuade those who are skeptical of the idea of lab diamonds as such “synthetic” products might not represent the idea of romance you think. However, in this article, you may find some points that might make this option pretty surprising.
What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
Just as the name implies, lab grown diamond, simply put, is a type of diamond that was created under controlled conditions in a laboratory environment. This involves the use of processes such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) to create diamonds that are no different in appearance from earth-mined diamonds, featuring chemical and physical attributes that are similar and even being certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Are Lab Diamonds Real?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds that possess the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. It is even possible to conflate both of them as there is no way to tell them apart except when carefully inspected with specialist laboratory equipment. Besides their creation, the only other difference between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds is in their price.
Lab diamonds have continued to rise in popularity in recent times since it was first developed more than 70 years ago. Recent advancements in production technology have boosted efficiency and the quality of diamonds which has made them a fitting competition to natural diamonds in the jewelry market.
Most people prefer lab diamonds today because they cost less, can be easily traced, and don’t have as much environmental impact as mined diamonds. However, some don’t believe in the long term future value of lab grown diamonds or whether they can capture the attraction and romanticism of natural diamonds.
What’s The Difference Between A Lab Grown Diamond Vs Natural Diamonds?
When naturally occurring diamonds and lab diamonds are checked against each other, there are typically no physical differences. Their differences only exist in how they came to be and what they cost. Natural diamonds form over several billion years under intense heat while lab-grown diamonds are created in a process that mimics those conditions through CVD and HPHT — procedures that involve extremely high heat, pressure, and carbon-rich gas to create diamonds within weeks.
Lab Diamonds Vs Diamond Simulants
Lab diamonds and diamond stimulants are two different things, with diamond stimulants being gems that have been created to give the appearance and character of diamonds but are not diamonds in themselves, while lab diamonds are the original form of diamond. Some diamond stimulants include cubic zirconia and moissanites.
Should I choose a lab grown or natural diamond ring?
Your personal preferences will determine if a lab grown diamond is what you prefer or if you’d prefer a natural diamond. To help with your decision-making, here are some facts.
● Lab diamonds can have the same quality cut, clarity, and color as a natural diamond.
● Lad diamonds are not synthetic copies, they are 100% real diamonds, similar to ones found in nature.
● Since they are manufactured with modern technology and can be produced in massive quantities, lab-grown diamonds are significantly more affordable than natural diamonds, costing roughly 60% to 85% less.
● Because of their lower cost and process efficiency, you can get a significantly larger lab-grown diamond for the same price compared to a natural one on the same budget.
● Natural diamonds are traditionally able to maintain their value over time — the long-term value of lab-grown diamonds, however, is not easy to determine.
● Lab-created diamonds have a significantly reduced environmental footprint, requiring far less land than those required by traditional diamond mining.
● The process of producing lab-grown diamonds requires high energy demand but technology is advancing to make the process more efficient, with many labs today incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar energy.
● Natural diamonds take billions of years to form deep within the Earth, while lab diamonds are made in a matter of weeks.
● To the naked eye, lab diamonds and mined diamonds are identical and only specialized equipment can tell them apart.
● Lab diamond is not fake diamond, nor is it a diamond simulant – it is a real diamond.
● The majority of natural diamond mines practice ethical trade and can provide a critical source of income for developing communities where mining is the main way of earning a living. In contrast, most lab-grown diamond labs are thriving mostly in developing countries.
