Let’s face it – diamonds are not environmentally friendly and a threat to every miner out there. As a result, there are a lot of synthetic and alternatives to diamonds. In recent years, these substitutes have been getting better and better. They may even come in different price points – from the affordable Cubic Zirconia to the similarly priced ones such as lab-grown diamonds.
Speaking of the latter, many people are also curious about this kind of gemstone. Especially to those who would like to propose with their partners, are lab grown diamond engagement rings worth their price? Are they genuinely identical to naturally occurring diamonds? These are just some of the questions we will try to answer today.
What is a Lab-grown Diamond?
In recent years, experts have finally created the perfect manufactured diamonds. They are also considered real diamonds as they are 100% the same, with the only difference being that they are not grown from the earth’s surface. They are “grown” inside a laboratory using cutting-edge technology that replicates the process.
Jewelry using this gemstone (like those lab grown diamond rings) is also considered valuable as the natural ones. They are not cubic zirconias (a diamond simulant and alternative) as well as other diamond alternatives. If you ever heard that a diamond is “lab-grown,” have the confidence to buy them as experts treat them the same as diamonds.
Should We Buy Them?
As assured by a lot of jewelers and manufacturers, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are even graded and certified the same as mined diamonds. The laboratories that assess lab-grown diamonds (like the GIA – Gemological Institute of America) grade them using 4C’s (Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat). These laboratories will give buyers confidence through these grading systems, as they are buying real diamonds. If a diamond is returned for a second grading, it’s relatively rare to receive a different grade, not just from a different lab but even from the same lab.
Are They Fake Because They Tend to Be Cheaper?
You may observe that lab-grown diamonds are less expensive than mined ones. Even if they are “less expensive,” these kinds of gemstones are not significantly cheap as well. You might have an idea why mined diamonds are costly – they have a long supply chain. Lab-created diamonds involve less human resources in creating them, making them less expensive to manufacturers compared to the natural mining process. Despite this, they also have similar workforce costs that handle cutting, polishing, and inspection.
Unless you are a jeweler and an expert in the field of manufacturing diamonds, one should not see any difference in the physical appearance of lab-grown and mined diamonds. They have similar cuts like oval, round, princess cut, and more. They are also high-quality gemstones perfect for everyday wear. Aside from their origin, the only difference with naturally occurring diamonds is being ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.