There are some things in the world, which never goes out of fashion. Diamonds for one, are bright, beautiful, valuable and always in style. Diamonds are either natural diamonds, formed and found in the depths of earth’s crust over billion years of up and down. Or they can be lab diamonds or synthetic diamonds, made in a lab in a month or 2. But make no mistake, a lab diamond is as real as a real diamond can get. Want to know more about lab-grown diamonds vs real diamonds? Read on.
Both lab diamonds and real diamonds are made of carbon molecules arranged in a crystalline structure. They both reflect light and emit colours. But most importantly, there’s no compromise with the beauty and quality. And once you see it with your own eyes, I bet you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart either. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how closely identical they look. Even a gemologist needs a third eye and high-end equipment to spot minor differences in their structure. (Perhaps it’d be easy to check for trademarks!)
Real Diamonds vs Lab Diamonds – A Short History
A diamond is a symbol of unconditional love and an unbreakable bond. Apparently, it also means having a strong appetite for luxury. While natural diamonds have been there since olden times, lab-grown diamonds were first introduced in the 1950s for industrial use. But it wasn’t until 2010 when lab-grown diamonds made its way to the jewellery market.
- Lab Grown Diamond
These grow in a lab, get certified and graded with GIA’s Synthetic Diamond Grading Report, and have become an affordable alternative to naturally mined diamonds. (GIA or the Gemological Institute of America is dedicated to research and educate in the field of gemology. GIA grading is the universal standard system to determine a diamond’s origin and quality.)
At present, there’re only 2 ways of manufacturing “diamonds in a lab!”
- HPHT or high pressure, high temperature is a technique where natural conditions which form a natural diamond in the earth are imitated in a lab to produce lab diamonds of equal quality, appearance and composition.
- Another method to grow diamonds in a lab is CVD or Chemical Vapor Deposition. It involves breaking down the molecules of carbon-rich gas such as methane into carbon or hydrogen which is then accumulated on diamond seeds to eventually become a real diamond.
The 4 C’s – Cut, clarity, colour and carat determine the purity of a diamond. A diamond tester or a GIA grading & certification uses all these factors and many more to check the authenticity of natural diamonds as well as lab-grown diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds vs Real diamonds
There are some differences when we talk of Lab-grown diamonds vs real diamonds but only in respect of its origin and growth. There’s none to little distinction when it comes to the chemical composition or physical properties of lab-grown diamonds vs natural diamonds.
(Unlike lab-grown diamonds, natural diamonds contain a tiny amount of Nitrogen. This is the only chemical difference between a lab-made diamond and natural diamond. Gemologists can use this feature to identify Lab grown diamonds vs Real diamonds.)
Lab grown diamonds sure have some practical advantages over naturally mined diamonds especially when it comes to the price, shape, colour and design of a diamond. Keeping them in mind might be of great help while shopping diamonds for your loved ones or yourself. Okay, let’s get to it.
Advantages of Lab-grown diamonds vs real diamonds
30% Off!
Lab-grown diamonds are 30% less expensive than natural diamonds. Be it the lengthy and painstaking process of mining or its rareness, natural diamonds are precious but costly. Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, takes lesser time to be made. It is easy to produce Lab diamonds in bulk to meet the supply and demand. Lab grown diamonds do not have a resell value, unlike real organic ones.
All colours & rainbows
The crystalline structure of diamonds is responsible for all kinds of colours they refract. You can grow Lab-grown diamonds in white, yellow, blue, pink and green. Further, the colour grades range from D to K. Natural diamonds come in all colours. The nitrogen residue that remains in natural diamonds creates a possibility of infinite shades and depth.
Plethora of Designs
These pretty lab diamonds provide a wide range of designs to choose from. A lab-grown diamond can be cut to suit your needs. A diamond’s peculiar quality of transmitting the light depends on its “cut” or the way its sides interact with light. To achieve this peculiar quality, you need perfect symmetry and polishing. The cut is the grading system and can vary from good to excellent or ideal to super ideal.
Lab-grown diamonds comes in a variety of shapes as well like Round, Oval, Cushion, Princess, Pear, Emerald, Marquise, Asscher, Radiant and Heart.
Eco-Friendly
Being eco-friendly is another attribute of lab-made diamonds. Mining of natural diamonds somewhat disturbs nature, though it’s a short-term impact. Whereas, the manufacturing of lab diamonds do not cause any environmental disruption. Nature conscious people prefer buying lab made diamonds to contribute their bit.
Origin
You cannot record, easily trace and disapprove the Origin of lab diamonds. However, you cannot always trace the source of naturally mined diamonds due to many factors like locality, transportation and lack of transparency. (Basically, the only thing that makes a lab diamond different from a natural diamond is its origin.)
Brilliant Earth Lab Diamonds – Gems in Bazaar!
Though natural diamonds have dominated much of the last century or so, more consumers have started trusting lab made diamond jewellery in recent times.
The pioneer and still a leading lab diamonds manufacturer in the diamond industry today is “Brilliant Earth”. Ethically produced, Brilliant Earth lab diamonds have trendy designs and exceptional quality.
The company started in 2005 as a response to the not so ethical and problematic practice of diamond mining at that time. Health risks, poor labour conditions, underpaid workers have always been some of the main concerns of mining. Many developed countries have enforced stricter rules and regulations for safe and eco-friendly mining. Brilliant earth emphasizes on producing and maintaining the aesthetics of natural diamonds in a lab while being socially and environmentally responsible.
Brilliant earth lab diamonds are the finest and trendiest of modern jewellery. Whether it’s a ring, a bracelet, a watch or a love band. Modern cutting-edge technology has made it possible to use lab diamonds in unimaginable ways. Bedazzling an expensive smartphone or a classic supercar are some of the common practices among our privileged friends. The manufacturers cut, shape, design and style these beautiful lab-grown diamonds to match your persona and wealth.
So, the next time you wanna buy a diamond ring and have a reasonable deal, buy a lab-grown diamond ring. You’ll get the same shine, hardness and look at a much cheaper price, and the memory remains!
Lab Diamonds Vs Real – Diamonds Shining off!
So, who wins the battle of lab-grown diamonds vs real diamonds? I’ll let you decide for yourself.
They’ve both earned their rightful place in the eyes of the beholder. Both are authentic and real and have pure diamond qualities.
People choose natural diamonds for a number of reasons. For starters, they are rare and traditional. They take billions of years to grow in the lap of mother nature and carry that mysterious charm and elegance of time. So, they’re expensive!
Lab diamonds are cheaper – Yes. They do not take ages to grow – Check. They’re eco-friendly. Yes. And they’re as real as it comes, a big check.
After all, it’s a diamond. What’s more to say!
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