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Despite having the same level of hardness as naturally sourced diamonds based on the Mohs scale, people remained skeptical about lab-grown diamonds.
Besides the fact they are relatively new technology, the reason diamond has been mined for centuries makes one rely more on history than on technology. However, those who understand the difference between the two opt for the lab-created ones in a heartbeat.
Earth-mined and lab-grown diamonds are exactly the same. Both their physical and chemical composition are alike. Thus, there is no way anyone can tell the difference. In fact, in 2018, the Federal Trade Commission recognized lab-created diamonds as real.
Now that you are starting your new life. Why not make a purchase that sets the tone of the relationship – care and consideration in decision making. So let’s start with the stigma and get it out of the way.
Are Lab-grown Real Diamonds?
The answer is yes! They are as real as naturally sourced diamonds from mines. When tested for properties and composition, lab-created diamonds and naturally sourced have no difference. Experts could not tell any difference between the two when tested for their compounds.
In addition, there have been a lot of organizations and institutions that accept lab diamonds as authentic.
In fact, lab-grown diamonds are previously marked as synthetic diamonds or replicas. However, the Gemologist Institute of America has been recognizing and grading all lab-grown diamonds since 2007. Thus, the word ‘synthetic diamonds’ is not being used any longer.
Did we confuse you? If you stick around, you will learn new discoveries about lab-created diamonds.
Why Is Lab-created Diamond Different From Naturally Sourced?
We have already talked about how both diamonds are physically and chemically alike. But where do they differ?
● Creation
Uniquely, lab-created diamonds are made in a controlled environment. Therefore, it merely takes them a few weeks to develop into a diamond. For instance, 1-carat lab-grown engagement rings could be made in just 7-14 days.
Meanwhile, earth-mined diamonds are created under a lot of pressure caused by their environment.
● Production
Naturally sourced diamonds require a lot of mining, extraction, and labor work. In comparison, lab-created diamonds are the result of a diamond seed that remains exposed to gasses for some weeks.
● Cost
The resources used in acquiring each diamond add to the purchase cost. The process of mining and extracting is quite an elaborate process.
Since the diamonds are mined only in Botswana, Angola, Canada, Russia, and South Africa. The transportation also adds to the cost.
But the major factor is the machine and labor acquired in mining the diamonds. These factors make the diamond relatively more expensive than the lab-created alternative.
Hence, earth-mined diamonds are way more expensive than lab-grown diamonds. Those grown in the lab are reportedly 30-50% cheaper than natural ones.
Disadvantages of Diamond Mining
There are two forms of diamond mining. One method includes extracting under the sea beds, while the other is a standard method of digging deep in the earth.
In both methods, it requires digging at least 150 kilometers below the earth’s surface near the earth’s mantle. It is an elaborate process that involves a lot of workforce and machinery. And then adds the transportation cost along with taxes.
Unfortunately, the temperature and conditions are not often favorable in digging diamond mines. It often causes fatal accidents.
Also, both extracting methods, water, and land disrupt the soil. Land mining is a major contributor to deforestation. Meanwhile, on sea beds, it disrupts marine life.
There have been instances when oil and diamond mining and fractions have resulted in earthquakes. The severity of the quakes was minor, but that indicates how this intervention harms the harmony of the earth.
Mining natural diamonds involves a lot of ethical issues. Are these disadvantages really worth it?
Why are Lab-Created Diamonds a Better Choice?
Lab-created diamonds are created in a controlled environment and do not cause any harm to the earth’s surface or ocean beds.
They are no less in color, cut, clarity or carat weight. Buying a lab-created diamond ring is always a better choice because you are saving big bucks.
Pros and Cons of Buying Lab-created Diamond Ring
Pros
- For starters, lab-created diamonds are 30-50% less in price. So it saves you bucks that you can utilize in upgrading the engagement ring or buying more gifts for her.
- There is absolutely no difference in both diamonds. Only experts can identify the difference due to laser inscription under the grit of the stone.
- When buying a lab-grown diamond, you are buying kind to the earth and discouraging the extraction and mining activities of naturally-sourced diamonds. It is one of the reasons why they are also termed ethical purchases.
- They are equally graded and certified. You can get the certificate on the purchase.
Cons
- The value of the diamond will always be more than lab-created as the demand and supply factors apply. This is because the lab-created are infinite in supply, whereas the naturally-sourced rely on various factors to be acquired.
- The methods employed to produce the diamonds in the lab require a lot of energy. The duration of the process eats up energy that can power a home for a month.
Final Thought
As you start the new milestone in life, why not buy only lab-created diamonds. Not only are they ethically produced, but also you help in reducing the extraction and mining activities.
Lab-created diamonds are equal in quality and composition to naturally sourced ones. The bodies that certify the diamonds also approve of the lab-created ones equally.
However, sourcing the diamonds makes all the difference in sentiment and cost. When you weigh all the pros and cons of each kind, you can make an informed decision. But, it is a matter of preference too.
For example, some people prefer to have a stone that has resale value. In comparison, some people do not factor this clause since a person purchases an engagement ring to never return it.
As an afterthought, most jewelers offer a few weeks to months as a courtesy to return or exchange the product. If you have any reservations, you must check with your jeweler before purchasing.
Read also: The 9 Lab-Created Diamond Ring Will Be Trending For 2021
