4 Things You Need to Know About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are gaining significant popularity, but are they the right choice for you? By understanding the key differences between lab-created and natural diamonds, you'll be able to make the best decision for your lifestyle.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural: How Much Should You Be Spending?
The most significant and appealing distinction lies in the price. There is no need to save a three-month salary anymore; a lab-grown diamond with identical color, cut, clarity, and carat weight to a natural diamond consistently offers a more economical choice, typically priced 70% to 90% lower than its natural counterpart. For example, the ring to the left is a Lab-Grown 2.85 CTTW, costing around USD 5,000 at JZ Jewelers. This duplicate ring, but with natural diamonds, would cost upwards of $25,000, a huge difference! A lab-grown diamond is an excellent option if you like the look of a big rock but not the steep price point a natural diamond comes with.
Man-Made: Understanding the Process of Creating Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are produced using the same components as naturally occurring diamonds: carbon. They are NOT artificial; they are authentic diamonds. It's essential not to mistake lab-grown diamonds for fakes or alternative options such as cubic zirconia, crystal, or Moissanite. These stones contain entirely different components that are true to diamonds, whether lab-grown or natural.
Explore the Diversity: Lab-Grown Diamonds in Various Shapes and Colors
Lab-grown diamonds are available in a diverse array of shapes and colors, mirroring the variety found in natural diamonds. In fact, lab-grown fancy-colored diamonds serve as an excellent substitute for their natural counterparts, especially since natural fancy-colored diamonds often command higher prices than colorless ones.
Ensuring Authenticity: How to Differentiate Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds
Detecting the disparity between lab-grown and natural diamonds presents a challenge to the unaided eye, and even jewelers find it exceedingly difficult without specialized equipment like a special tester specifically to detect the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds. Therefore, obtaining a grading report from a reputable gemological institute such as GIA or IGI is imperative when purchasing a lab-grown diamond.
Conclusion
The choice between lab-created and natural diamonds ultimately depends on your priorities. Lab-created diamonds offer a compelling option if you're looking for something at a more reasonable price point. They provide the same beauty and quality at a lower cost and with fewer ethical concerns. On the other hand, if you choose to consider the diamond more of an investment piece and want the potential for better resale value, then a natural diamond might be your better choice.
Consider what matters most to you—be it cost, ethics, environmental impact, or sentimental value—and make the choice that aligns with your values and lifestyle.
