Lab Grown Diamonds have grown in popularity over the past several years and are a viable choice when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. However, the idea might be met with some skepticism. A diamond that is considered ‘synthetic’ and professionally grown in a laboratory may not line up with your notions of romance. But take a few moments to familiarize yourself with Lab Grown Diamonds. You might find you are pleasantly surprised by this option.
In January 2019, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle attended an event in London and accessorized her outfit with a pair of lab-created diamond earrings.
Brenda Harwick, the manager of on campus and lab gemology instruction for GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, suggests, "When you're making an investment in something as precious as this, you should ask for a grading report."
The idea of a Natural Diamond is comfortable. It’s how people have been doing things for centuries and there is an attractive passion and dependability in choosing a Natural Diamond. Here’s what you should consider when deciding between lab created diamonds vs natural stones.
1. Lab-Grown Diamonds are REAL
Lab-Grown vs Natural
They are optically, visually & chemically identical to mined diamonds. Lab-Grown diamonds re real diamonds with the same crystal structure and beautiful sparkle as natural diamonds. They also have the same famous Mohs hardness of 10. They're just as durable as natural diamonds, but they 're less expensive and that's why they've become so popular.
2. Lab-Grown Diamonds are created in laboratories with advanced technology.
There are two processes, that can create jewelry-quality diamonds: HPHT and CVD, instead of forming over millions of years in the earth's mantle.
HPHT stands for High Pressure/High Temperature. This process mimics the way that diamonds grow in nature, subjecting carbon to high temperatures and pressing it together. This costly method requires a lot of energy.
CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition, and it's not as scary as it sounds. In this process, a mixture of hydrogen and methane gas is placed in a chamber with a seed crystal. Typically, microwave power heats the chamber to a high temperature, which excites the gas. The diamond grows on the seed crystal. The CVD method is cheaper than HPHT and has become more common in recent years, as new technology has made higher-quality diamonds possible.
“We have a strong sustainability profile that will become increasingly important in the future because the carbon footprint of our lab-growns is a fraction of mined diamonds." – Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik Forbes | 11.9.22
3. Lab-Grown Diamonds are sustainable
Their making procedure is free from environmental impacts and social harms.
As there's a limited amount of this material in the Earth, mining at current rates will one day deplete this resource. On the other hand, lab-created diamonds are far less limited. Producing diamonds in a lab is far less damaging to ecosystems, wildlife, and human populations than mining diamonds. Most dramatically, lab-diamonds have less of an impact on their immediate surroundings than mined diamonds.
On average, mining companies move 250 tons of earth per carat of mined diamond. Moving so much material requires substantial amounts of energy, which usually comes from fossil fuels. Their use releases carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In addition, maintaining these expansive facilities also requires energy.
On average, 160 kg of greenhouse gases is released per polished carat of mined diamond.
Diamond mining disturbs a large area around its site, which can greatly harm local ecosystems by polluting the soil and water supplies. For example, hundreds of cattle died after drinking water from the Odzi River in Zimbabwe, located downstream from a diamond processing plant. Local people, livestock, and wildlife have no choice but to drink contaminated water.
Companies that operate marine diamond mining vessels contend that the natural environment will recover once mining operations finish. Although most of the sediment removed during mining is returned, this process can take two to ten years. The long-term consequences of marine mining are still unknown, since this is a relatively new practice. Many environmentalists also remain concerned by the impact of noise, machinery, and light on marine life, in addition to the challenges already posed by pollution and climate change.
Many companies are working to improve their diamond mining techniques, and a host of environmental regulations are also in place to protect mining regions. However, accidents and violations of regulations still happen and so for all these reasons, companies market lab-grown diamonds as a sustainable alternative to mined diamonds.
4. Affordable Luxury
Lab Grown Diamonds are approximately 30-40% less than a Natural Diamond, which means you can purchase a significantly larger diamond and truthfully say it is a diamond. The difference cannot be detected with the naked eye when comparing a Lab Grown Diamond and a Natural Diamond of equal characteristics of the 4 C’s. Lab Grown Diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as Natural Diamonds so they will be just as dazzling.
Lab created diamonds are grown through a sustainable process, making it easier to keep up with demand without sacrificing quality or engaging in harmful processes or conflicts.
5. Lab-Grown Diamonds undergo the same process of grading and certification as mined diamonds.
All lab grown diamonds are treated the same as mined diamonds. Once they are ready, they are sent to an independent gem lab to be certified by an expert.
The process for grading lab grown diamonds is the same as traditional diamonds and focuses on the cut, clarity, carat, and color of each gemstone. The cut is responsible for the brilliance of the diamond, and arguably the most important factor. Clarity refers to the appearance and lack of cracks and defects. When referencing clear diamonds, the lack of color makes a higher grade. Finally, carat is the measure of the diamond's size and weight. Each diamond is examined carefully and assigned a quality rating.
A piece of diamond jewelry can be a wonderful gift for yourself or someone you love. Diamonds are highly versatile and can be worn as everyday jewelry, or for special occasions. When you choose a lab grown diamond, you can invest in a high-quality and stunning piece that is also ethical and environmentally friendly.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a Lab Grown Diamond and a Natural Diamond.
The choice is completely up to you. The most important items to take into consideration when making the choice include your budget and your significant other’s preference.
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