What are lab grown diamonds?
When looking to buy a diamond engagement ring, one of the main considerations today is whether to opt for a natural/mined diamond, or a lab grown diamond. This leads to many people asking, 'Is a lab grown diamond a real diamond?’ The answer to that is yes! Lab grown diamonds are also known as synthetic, lab created, man-made or cultured diamonds. They are gemstones that are grown in a highly controlled environment which uses advanced technological processes that mimic the natural diamond development process. Due to this replication, lab grown diamonds are the same, both chemically and physically, as a natural diamond, the only difference being that of their origin.
Since lab grown diamonds are made of the same material as mined diamonds, they display the same optical and chemical properties, meaning that they look the same, and exhibit the unmatched sparkle that diamond’s are known for! Both lab grown and mined diamonds are 10th on the Mohs scale, and therefore, are equal in hardness. So you can be sure that when choosing a lab grown diamond engagement ring, what you are wearing is the same as a natural diamond, and features all of the desirable qualities and characteristics.
Here at Allure Jewellers, we have a beautiful selection of both lab grown and mined diamond engagement rings, as well as pendants, earrings and eternity rings. Browse our diamond jewellery online today, or book an appointment to visit us in our Hatton Garden Showroom. If you have any questions about our lab grown diamond jewellery, feel free to get in touch with a member of our team. We look forward to hearing from you!
What are the benefits of lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are less expensive
Not only do lab grown diamonds offer excellent value, they are also more affordable than natural diamonds of a similar size and quality. To illustrate, a lab grown diamond will cost around 50% - 60% less than a mined diamond of a comparable carat weight, colour, clarity and cut. To learn more about the diamond 4C’s, and how they can affect the price of a diamond, read our guide. Although lab grown diamonds are not inexpensive, they still do offer a cheaper alternative, which is great for those who are shopping for an engagement ring on a budget. This also means that the beauty and high quality of the diamond will not be compromised by opting for the less expensive option.
There are a few reasons why lab grown diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds. The first is because lab grown diamonds don’t undergo the mining process that natural diamonds do. This is because diamond mining requires heavy machinery, tools and manpower, which consumes a substantial amount of time and money. As lab grown diamonds are man-made in a laboratory, they stay in one place and are grown in a controlled environment, which subsides the need for the long and expensive mining process.
Secondly, unlike natural diamonds, the creation of lab grown diamonds is not dependent on nature, meaning that they are more abundant and higher volumes can be produced, which makes them lower in price. On the other hand, the price of natural diamonds tends to be higher due to their rarity. Diamonds that are mined are formed deep within the Earth over millions of years, and rely on volcanic eruptions to bring them up to the surface. This means natural diamonds are less in number and of a higher rarity due to this process, which is reflected in their price.
Lab grown diamonds improve sustainability
Another benefit of lab grown diamonds is that they offer a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to mined diamond engagement rings. During the creation of lab grown diamonds, less energy and water is used, and less carbon dioxide is produced in comparison to the process of mining natural diamonds. Although lab grown and natural diamonds are made under the same conditions, the difference is that the lab grown conditions are re-created, which helps to reduce the environmental problems that mining for gemstones has caused.
It can be argued that lab grown diamonds create sustainability problems of their own, that is, through their energy and water usage. However, their formation still has far less of a negative impact on sustainability than mined diamonds. This is one of the many reasons why many engagement ring buyers are opting for a lab grown diamond. Browse our beautiful selection of diamond engagement rings at Allure Jewellers, and get in touch to discuss your lab grown diamond options.
Lab grown diamonds are the ethical choice
For many years, there have been many complaints towards the ethics of mining for natural diamonds. Many leading diamond mining companies across the world are implementing new, responsible efforts and practices to better the ethics against the mined diamond process. However, there is still much accountability for the infringements of human rights, and the low wages of those who work in the diamond mines. As well as this, the degradation of the land used for diamond mining pollutes the soil, water and air around the area, which is very damaging to the environment.
Today, there are many organisations that are working to combat these ethics against mined diamonds. One example is The Kimberley Process, which is aimed towards reducing the flow of these conflict diamonds. Learn more about The Kimberley Process here. We guarantee that all of the mined diamonds that we use at Allure Jewellers are conflict-free. Despite these efforts, there is still much ethical reasoning against natural diamonds and the mining process. By choosing a lab grown diamond engagement ring, you can have the peace of mind of knowing that the stone you are wearing every day is conflict-free.
Lab grown diamonds have a greater purity
Unlike mined diamonds, lab grown stones do not have the dirt, impurities and imperfections that are created during the natural diamond process, which means that they are of a higher purity level. As well as this, because lab grown diamonds are grown under stringent, careful and controlled conditions, they display fewer defects, which improves the diamond’s sparkle, colour and brightness!
What are the considerations of lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds don’t hold their value
When you buy a natural diamond engagement ring, you are ensured that what you are purchasing will retain its value over time. However, this is not so true when it comes to lab grown diamonds. One reason why is because, as we all know, new technology becomes outdated very quickly. So the technology used to create lab grown diamonds may eventually become obsolete, and therefore, inexpensive. In addition, lab grown diamonds are not finite like natural diamonds, meaning that there is no guarantee that they will hold future value. If, in the future, you decide that you would like to sell your lab grown diamond jewellery, it is very likely that it would have decreased in value, that is, be worth less money. However, marriage is forever! So just because a lab grown diamond may decrease in value over time, it doesn't mean that it will decrease in sentimental value to you and your partner.
Lab grown diamonds lack the ‘allure’ of natural diamonds
Although lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, many believe that they lack the allure of natural diamonds. One of the most desirable qualities of mined diamonds is the fact that they are a natural, beautiful product of the Earth, and take millions of years to form. Some feel that this appeal is lost when they are created in a laboratory or a factory. The vast majority of brides-to-be still prefer a natural diamond engagement ring, which is very important to consider when buying a ring for your partner as a surprise.
If you feel as if you would benefit from some guidance on the diamond engagement ring that is right for you or your partner, you can book an appointment to visit us in our Hatton Garden store. Here at Allure Jewellers, we understand that choosing an engagement ring is a very special and important decision, and are happy to help in any way that we can!
How are lab grown diamonds graded and certified?
The grading and certification of lab grown diamonds is the same process that natural diamonds undergo, and they are treated the same way throughout each step. Once ready, lab grown diamonds are sent to grading experts, such as the GIA and the IGI, who use both systematic and effective methods to certify the stone. This system was established by the GIA in the 1950s, and is a combination of the four main factors that describe and classify diamonds. They consist of diamond clarity, colour, cut and carat weight, and are known as the 4C’s. Each lab grown and natural diamond is carefully examined against this criteria, and a quality rating is assigned for each of the 4C’s. So when you purchase a certified lab grown diamond engagement ring, you can be assured that the diamond you are wearing is of a certain quality.
The grading of each of the diamond 4C's affects the price of the stone. The general rule is, the higher the grading, the more expensive the diamond is. However, the 4C's aren't the only contributing factor in a diamond's price, as your choice of diamond shape will also play a part. To learn more about the different diamond shapes, and those that we offer at Allure Jewellers, read our guide.
Diamond Engagement Rings at Allure Jewellers
Here at Allure Jewellers, we have a beautiful selection of lab grown and natural diamond engagement rings for you to choose from. Browse our range online today, or book an appointment to take a look at our diamond engagement rings in person in Hatton Garden. If you have any further questions about lab grown diamonds and why we offer them at Allure Jewellers, then please feel free to get in touch. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!
