What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as lab-created diamonds, man-made diamonds, or synthetic diamonds, are diamonds that are manufactured in a laboratory. Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical, optical and physical properties as natural diamonds.
A lab-grown diamond is a diamond, just like those mined from the earth.
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds consist entirely of carbon and possess the unique characteristics that make each stone one-of-a-kind. Lab-grown diamonds, as the name suggests, are grown in controlled laboratory environments, developing different colours and inclusions akin to their naturally occurring counterparts.
At Valentina Fine Jewellery we understand that each client has a unique set of priorities, whether motivated by sustainability or budget, we pride ourselves on being able to offer both options to tailor the experience to our client.
Understanding the Distinctions Natural vs Lab Grown
The primary considerations between the two lie in their pricing dynamics. Mined diamonds not only come with a higher price tag but tend to retain their value over time. Formed deep within the Earth's crust under intense heat and pressure over millions of years, natural diamonds are revered for their rarity and exclusivity, contributing to their elevated market value.
The relatively new market for lab-grown diamonds translates to more fluctuating price points, consistently offering a more affordable alternative without compromising on brilliance.
Unveiling the Cultivation Process
Although the first lab-grown diamonds emerged in the 1950s, it took several decades of experimentation to achieve the quality that rivals naturally mined gemstones. The two most common methods of growing a diamond in a lab today – Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).
Both methods produce beautiful diamonds that easily rival natural mined diamonds in all of the Four C categories. Without specialised equipment, you cannot tell the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds.
The final product undergoes the same meticulous cutting, polishing and grading processes as their natural counterparts.
Lab Grown Diamonds Ethical Considerations
The conventional diamond mining industry has a history marred by controversies, including civil conflicts and human rights violations. Initiatives like the Kimberley Process, established in 2003, aim to eliminate the trade of conflict diamonds, which are used to fund rebel warfare. While mined diamonds impact the environment, lab-grown diamonds, despite being ethically sourced, require considerable energy to grow.
Lab Grown Diamond Misconceptions
1. Natural diamonds appreciate in value and lab grown diamonds drop in value.
VFJ: Lab grown diamonds of high quality are a relatively new creation. The process of creating larger higher quality diamonds is still being perfected. Yes, the industry has seen price correction recently where the wholesale price of lab grown diamonds has come down. There are also retailer who still to this day do not pass the savings onto their clients, including James Allen and Blue Nile.
Most diamonds cannot recoup their store purchase value, natural or otherwise and only the rare colour diamonds have increased in value - for example Argyle pink diamonds.
2. Lab grown diamonds are not real diamonds.
VFJ: Lab grown diamonds are chemically, visually and physically are identical to natural earth mined diamonds.
3. Lab grown diamonds do not sparkle as much as natural diamonds.
VFJ: Untrue, both owe their sparkle to the cut and not how they were created.
4. Lab grown diamonds are bad for the environment.
VFJ: Untrue, whilst lab grown diamonds do use a lot of energy to grow, they do not destroy natural habitats or create giant craters. Most lab grown diamond manufacturers ensure sustainability, follow responsible practices for waste management and work on reducing their carbon footprint.
5. Lab grown diamonds are graded differently.
VFJ: Both natural and lab grown diamonds are graded the same way by GIA, the only difference is the GIA report for lab grown diamonds is online only, whist natural diamonds still use paper reports.