Lab-grown diamonds (LGD) are emerging as compelling alternatives to mined diamonds. They are increasingly becoming popular among conscious consumers, those who appreciate mindful innovation. Also called synthetic, cultured, or man-made diamonds, these are carefully crafted in meticulously controlled laboratory settings and are identical to mined diamonds. Here is more about why these are an appealing choice and why you should invest in these gems.
The Growing Popularity of Lab Diamonds
Advancements in diamond technology have redefined what is possible in the fine jewelry business. State-of-the-art facilities now have cutting-edge tools and techniques to produce top-quality gems.
One such offering includes lab-created diamonds, which are similar in beauty and brilliance to natural diamonds. These are visually indistinguishable, produced with less environmental damage, and cost-effective. You can also find them in rare cuts and one-of-a-kind shapes. In addition, lab diamonds are graded the same way and by the same certified organizations that assess natural diamonds.
How Are These Made?
Lab-grown diamonds aren’t any different in physical, optical, and chemical properties compared to their natural counterparts. They are produced using two different methods:
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
- High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
Both of these create high-quality, sustainable alternatives to natural diamonds within months. In fact, smaller diamonds can be grown in just 2-4 weeks using the CVD method. The timeline can vary depending on the carat weight, clarity, and other parameters, but it remains under a few months. Whatever the process, there is predictability, shorter lead time, and reduced environmental impact.
The Affordability Factor
Natural diamonds have billions of years of history behind them. They have taken shape deep within the Earth’s layers for centuries, and no lab product can replicate this legacy or value. However, the affordability factor associated with man-made diamonds does create a good demand for them.
Diamond mining requires extensive excavation, cleaning, weighing, packaging, long supply chains, marketing, and branding. This gives earth-created natural diamonds an exorbitantly higher price tag while also making them inaccessible to all.
Compare this with weeks or months of production time in a quality-controlled lab environment. It lowers the expense by 30–50% or more. With the same specifications, you can get a lab-grown diamond but at a much lower price, say around $5,000-$6,000. That’s not just saving but your opportunity to invest in a much larger or higher-quality diamond, custom setting, and complementary pieces.
The Aesthetic Appeal
Lab diamonds can be a worthwhile investment. They offer the same breathtaking scintillation and quality as natural diamonds; the difference lies only in their origin and processing. These are precisely cut, perfectly polished, and radiate with exceptional clarity. You can call them real diamonds in every sense.
Whether you want a lab-grown diamond set in your wedding ring or heirloom jewelry, they can exhibit the same elegance and sparkle as natural diamonds. These are a perfect blend of modern innovation and captivating beauty. This makes lab-grown diamonds increasingly popular for wedding/engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and other precious jewelry.
Quality Assurance
Technological advancements allow for replicating diamonds so perfectly that there is rarely any difference felt. But that doesn’t mean you would have to compromise on quality or conscience. Lab-grown diamonds are evaluated using the same 4Cs grading method, i.e., Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color, as natural diamonds. Every stone is checked thoroughly for its structural integrity and brilliance to ensure its lasting value.
The Difference between Natural Diamonds and Lab Grown Diamonds
Whether you’re shopping for the perfect diamond wedding ring for your fiancé or just for an investment purpose, you will likely come across two choices- natural and lab-grown diamonds. Both options are equally popular these days. Lab diamonds feel and look the same as natural diamonds. Also, they are available in different sizes and shapes. In fact, as their chemical structures are also almost identical, it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between the two.
But don’t worry, we are here to help you. Let’s take a deeper dive to understand the main differences between natural and lab-created diamonds to see which option to choose:
Natural vs. Lab Created Diamonds
First things first, the question that worries buyers is whether or not lab-grown diamonds real? The answer to this is that ‘yes, they are real natural diamonds.’ However, the differences between the two options are:
The Origin or the Creation Process
Lab-created or man-made diamonds are created in a laboratory, while a natural diamond is created by nature. The naturally occurring diamonds are formed beneath the earth’s surface- in the mantle layer of the planet. It is grown over billions of years of intense pressure and heat, which rearranges carbon on an atomic level, thereby taking the form of a diamond.
On the other hand, as the name suggested, lab-grown diamonds are grown in a laboratory. The process is called chemical vapor deposition. The process involves using a small diamond where the crystalline structure for the diamond is formed. It is composed of pure carbon. Next, it is placed in a vacuum where the carbon molecules assimilate the diamond seeds. Once it is grown, the diamond is then cut and polished, which looks exactly like a natural diamond. The lab process takes only a matter of weeks.
It is important to understand that there is very little chemical difference between a chemical and lab-grown diamond. Natural diamonds often contain a tiny amount of nitrogen while lab-created diamonds don’t.
Price
Another big difference between natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds is the price. Lab-grown diamonds are more moderately priced because there is no cap on the supply. This drives the price lower as the supply is higher. Likewise, natural diamonds are pricier because of the limited supply due to the billions of years it takes to transform into diamonds.
At David and Sons Fine Jewelers, we have an extensive Lab-Grown natural diamond inventory at amazing prices. Contact us today for a high-quality lab-grown natural loose diamond, engagement ring, or jewelry.
Visit David & Sons Fine Jewelers to Shop for the Best
Lab-grown diamonds are the new standard in fine jewelry. Whether or not you buy them is a personal choice, but they can be perfect if you want to invest in an ethically sourced, larger, or rare-cut diamond without a premium price tag. These are conflict-free, economically advantageous, and environmentally friendly alternatives.
At David and Sons Fine Jewelers, we have a curated collection of the finest quality loose lab-grown diamonds for engagement/wedding rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. We can also set these in bespoke designs to align with your needs (customizations available). Ours is a trusted name in San Diego, and our certified gemologists can help you browse our exquisite inventory. Call 858-457-7664 today or schedule an appointment to know more.