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The Rise of Lab-Grown Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know
At DiamondsByMe, we are committed to providing high-quality, certified lab-grown diamonds that are both beautiful and ethical. We believe that sustainability is an important part of the diamond industry, and we are proud to offer an environmentally friendly alternative to natural diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are a new type of diamond that are created in a laboratory setting, rather than being mined from the earth. These diamonds have been rising in popularity in recent years, due to a number of advantages they offer over natural diamonds. For now, lab grown diamond jewelry is mainly sold online, offline retailers do not yet have access to large assortments of lab grown jewelry because the market is growing so fast in recent years and diamond jewelry manufacturers are struggling to adapt to this new assortment. Online retailers like DiamondsByMe often produce their own jewelry, making it easier for them to jump into this changing market.
In this article, we will explore the topic of lab-grown diamonds, including their advantages, history, and how to choose the right diamond.
What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are grown in a laboratory setting, using advanced technological processes. They are also known as synthetic diamonds, cultured diamonds, or man-made diamonds. Unlike natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are created in a matter of weeks, rather than being formed over millions of years in the earth's crust. Lab created or Lab grown diamond are man-made diamonds with exactly the same chemical structure, crystal structure, optical and physical properties as a natural diamond. In short there is no difference.
If you want to know more about the process you can visit our page technology behind lab grown diamonds.
Advantages of Lab-Grown Diamonds over Natural Diamonds
In addition to the ethical and environmental benefits of lab-grown diamonds, there are a number of other benefits that make them an attractive option for consumers. One of the primary benefits is their lower cost, as lab-grown diamonds are typically much more affordable than natural diamonds.
Below you can see the price comparison of some diamond jewelry between lab grown and natural diamond:
(these prices can change over time so just for comparison)
Crystal RND 1ct
With a natural diamond $4185,-
With a Lab grown diamond $1075,-
Saskia 2 ovl 1.80ct
With natural diamond $16725,-
With Lab grown diamond $2605,-
Crystal EME 1.15ct
With a natural diamond $4219,-
With a Lab grown diamond $1309,-
The 4Cs Apply to Both Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds
Understanding the 4Cs of diamond quality is crucial, whether you're considering a natural or a lab-grown diamond. These characteristics - Cut, Carat, Color, and Clarity - are universally applicable and serve as the globally accepted standard for assessing a diamond's quality.
Cut
The cut refers not to the diamond's shape but to how well it has been cut from its rough form. This facet greatly influences a diamond's brilliance and sparkle. Learn more about the significance of a diamond's cut here.
Carat
Carat weight measures a diamond's size. As the size of a diamond increases, so does its carat weight and rarity, thereby raising its value. But remember, carat weight is just one factor in a diamond's overall allure and worth. Understand more about carat weight here.
Color
The most prized diamonds are those that are colorless, while diamonds with a yellow or brown hue are considered less desirable. Yet, the difference between color grades can often be subtle, as can be the price difference. Learn more about diamond color here.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence (or absence) of inclusions and blemishes. Flawless diamonds are incredibly rare and highly valuable. However, many inclusions and blemishes aren't visible to the naked eye. Explore more about diamond clarity here.
Whether you're considering a natural or a lab-grown diamond, understanding these 4Cs will help you make an informed decision. Each of these characteristics contributes to a diamond's beauty and value, ensuring that you find a gem that meets your personal style and budget, regardless of its origin.
The quality and beauty of lab-grown diamonds are also comparable to natural diamonds. In fact, lab-grown diamonds are mostly produced at a higher level of clarity and color than natural diamonds, as they are produced under controlled conditions. This means that lab-grown diamonds offer the same level of brilliance and sparkle as natural diamonds, and they are just as durable and long-lasting.
Additionally, lab-grown diamonds are more environmentally friendly than mined diamonds, which we will explore in more detail below.
Brief History of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The concept of creating diamonds in a laboratory setting dates back to the 19th century. However, it was not until the 1950s that the first gem-quality lab-grown diamonds were produced. These diamonds were primarily used for industrial purposes, such as cutting and polishing tools. In recent years, technological advancements have allowed for the production of larger, high-quality lab-grown diamonds that are suitable for use in jewelry.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Really Identical to Natural Diamonds?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds in terms of their chemical and physical properties. They are composed of the same material as natural diamonds, which is pure carbon in a crystalline form. The only difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds is their origin. However, this difference is not apparent to the naked eye, as lab-grown diamonds look and behave the same way as natural diamonds. In short, there is no difference.
Hereby an overview of the physical properties:
| Natural diamond | Lab grown diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | C (carbon) | C (carbon) |
| Hardness | 10 | 10 |
| RI | 2.42 | 2.42 |
| Specific weight | 3.52 | 3.52 |
| Crystal shape | Cubic (isotrop) | Cubic (isotrop) |
As you can see there is no difference between lab grown diamond and natural diamond.
A detailed explanation of the differences can be found at : Lab grown diamond versus natural diamonds.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are composed of the same material as natural diamonds, and they offer the same level of beauty and durability. The only difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds is their origin. However, this difference is not important for most consumers, as the beauty and durability of the diamond are the most important factors.
Ultimately, it is a decision you must make for yourself. Both diamonds have their beautiful and not so beautiful sides.
- Natural diamonds are millions of years old, something that makes these diamonds very special, a unique piece from the earth from millions of years ago. In contrast, huge pits have to be dug with heavy machinery to find diamonds.
- Lab grown diamonds are much more affordable than natural diamonds and are usually produced in an environmentally conscious manner. However, a lot of energy has to be generated for the production but more and more lab grown manufacturers are doing this in an environmentally friendly way by using wind farms and solar energy like Diamond Foundry.
How Do I Know If a Diamond is Lab-Grown or Mined?
With the naked eye, it is impossible to tell whether you have a lab grown diamond or a natural diamond. Natural Diamonds have tiny amounts of nitrogen, while Lab Grown Diamonds have no nitrogen inside of them. This is actually one of the signifiers gemologists use to identify if a diamond is lab grown or natural. Only with special, now very expensive equipment, is it possible to check this. So for now, there are very few places where you can have this checked. Therefore, if you purchase a piece of jewelry with diamonds, it is important to buy it from a well respected jeweler. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds are often sold with certification from a reputable diamond laboratory, which will indicate that the diamond is lab-grown.
At DiamondsByMe we always deliver diamonds from 0.30 crt with a certificate. For natural diamonds this is a GIA certificate and for Lab created diamonds an IGI certificate. Below this size is not possible because the price of the certificate would then be disproportionate to the price of the diamond. Of course, we issue our own certificate for our smaller diamonds so you know what you bought.
The Ethical and Environmental Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The production of lab-grown diamonds offers a number of ethical and environmental benefits. One of the primary ethical concerns surrounding natural diamonds is the issue of conflict or "blood" diamonds. These diamonds are often mined in areas where there is political instability or conflict, and the profits from diamond mining may be used to fund violent activities. Nowadays, the rules have become much stricter on this which fortunately makes this almost impossible for these natural diamonds to be sold on the market. Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are produced in a controlled laboratory setting, which eliminates the possibility of conflict diamonds.
The environmental impact of mining natural diamonds is also a concern. Diamond mining can have a significant impact on the environment, as it requires the removal of large amounts of earth and rock. This can result in the destruction of habitats and ecosystems, as well as the release of harmful chemicals and pollutants. In contrast, the production of lab-grown diamonds requires much less energy and water, and it does not result in the destruction of habitats or ecosystems.
| Environmental Impact | Natural Diamonds | Lab-Grown diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Land Use | Large amounts of land are required for mining activities. Mining often involves deforestation, soil erosion, and disruption of local ecosystems. | Minimal land is required for lab-grown diamond production. |
| Water Use | Large amounts of water are required for mining activities, and water sources can become contaminated with pollutants from the mining process. | Water usage for lab-grown diamond production is significantly lower than natural diamond mining. |
| Energy Use | Energy-intensive mining activities require large amounts of fossil fuels and electricity. | Lab-grown diamonds require significantly less fossil energy than natural diamonds. However, a lot of energy is still required to produce lab-grown diamonds. |
| Air Pollution | Mining activities can release harmful particulate matter and gases into the air, contributing to air pollution and climate change. | Lab-grown diamond production also produces some emissions, but they are generally lower than those from mining. |
| Waste Production | Mining activities generate large amounts of waste, including rock, soil, and other materials that can contain harmful pollutants. | Lab-grown diamond production generates less waste than mining, but there is still some waste generated from the production process. |
| Biodiversity | Mining activities can disrupt ecosystems and threaten biodiversity. | Lab-grown diamond production has less of an impact on biodiversity than mining. |
How Lab-Grown Diamonds are Contributing to a More Sustainable Future
Lab-grown diamonds are contributing to a more sustainable future by providing consumers with a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to natural diamonds. As the demand for lab-grown diamonds increases, more companies are investing in the technology required to produce high-quality diamonds in a laboratory setting. This is leading to increased innovation and efficiency, which will ultimately benefit both consumers and the environment.
How to Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond
When choosing a lab-grown diamond, it is important to understand the 4 Cs of diamonds, which are carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. These factors will determine the overall quality and value of the diamond. These for Cs are the same for natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds.
You can read more about this on our page about diamonds
Conclusion
By choosing a lab-grown diamond from DiamondsByMe, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a diamond, including beauty, durability, and sparkle, while also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical future. As the demand for lab-grown diamonds continues to increase, it is important for consumers to understand the benefits and how to choose the right diamond. By choosing a high-quality, certified lab-grown diamond, consumers can enjoy all of the benefits of a diamond, while also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical future.
We believe that lab-grown diamonds are the future of the diamond industry, and we are proud to be a part of this exciting movement.
FAQ
Synthetic diamonds are man-made diamonds that have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are also man-made but are grown in a laboratory using different techniques. Diamond simulants are materials that look similar to diamonds but have different chemical and physical properties.
Lab-grown diamonds have disrupted the diamond industry by offering consumers an alternative to mined diamonds. They are often less expensive and more ethical than mined diamonds.
Both recycled and lab-grown diamonds are more sustainable than mined diamonds, but there are differences in their environmental impact. Recycled diamonds have a much lower carbon footprint as you can just reuse them. Lab-grown diamonds require energy but have a lower impact on the environment than mined diamonds.
Cultured diamonds are another name for lab-grown diamonds, and they differ from mined diamonds in that they are created in a laboratory setting rather than being formed naturally over millions of years.
Lab-grown diamonds can be of similar quality to natural diamonds, but their price is generally lower due to their lab-grown origin. Prices of Lab grown diamonds keep going down, as for natural diamonds that keep their value much more. This might become an issue in the future for Lab grown diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are becoming more popular as consumers become more aware of their ethical and sustainable advantages and price.
It is unlikely that lab-grown diamonds will completely replace natural diamonds in the future, but they will likely become a more significant part of the diamond industry. It is just a new product in the market. There are people that want to have that special diamond of millions of years old and there are people how feel that a more sustainable diamond has more value for them.
Lab-grown diamonds can only be identified by trained gemologists or by using specialized equipment. The other way you can tell for diamonds mostly from 0.30 ct up is the certification. These diamonds mostly have a certificate from GIA for natural diamonds and a IGI certificate for lab grown diamonds. The number of the certificate will be laser engraved in the girdle of the diamond and can be seen with a at least 10x magnify loup.
Yes, lab-grown colored diamonds are available in the market.
Lab-grown diamonds are durable and scratch-resistant, just like natural diamonds.
The video clip below offers a brief explanation of the creation of Lab Grown Diamonds and the differences between these diamonds and their counterparts that are mined in nature.
For an overview of all our jewelry with lab-grown diamonds click here: