Should I get a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Diamonds are one of the most desirable gems in the world. No other gem has their brilliance, and they’re highly coveted because of their rarity. One aspect that makes diamonds unique in the gem world is their mineral characteristics. Unlike other natural gems, genuine diamonds are made chiefly of a singular element; they’re 99.95% carbon with trace amounts of other elements. These trace elements can affect a real diamond’s clarity and value.
However, real diamonds can be expensive, and their mining process may raise some ethical questions. Let’s examine the differences between real and lab-grown diamonds to help you determine which is right for you.
Understanding Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown, or synthetic diamonds, are different from diamond substitutes, such as cubic zirconia. They’re created in a laboratory setting, and aside from subtle nuances, they have an almost identical chemical makeup to real diamonds. Technically, lab-created diamonds are real diamonds. The main difference is that natural diamonds are mined from the earth, and synthetic diamonds are created in a lab.
Origin of Lab-Grown Diamonds
General Electric first produced lab-grown diamonds in the 1950s as an affordable alternative to mined diamonds. This endeavor was named Project Superpressure, and it aimed to create the same high-pressure conditions in a lab as in nature to form carbon into a glimmering diamond. In the early years of lab-created diamonds, the gems were small and primarily used for industrial purposes. Today, with advancements in high-pressure technology, lab-grown diamonds are used in jewelry such as rings, earrings, and necklaces.
How To Identify a Lab-Grown Diamond
To identify what kind of diamond you have, you need to have it properly authenticated by a professional to determine its source. While lab-grown diamonds are made of carbon, unlike diamond substitutes, they differ from mined diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
The key difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is where they originate. Most commercial diamonds in high-end jewelry come from mines in five main countries. According to NS Energy, the top mine-producing countries are:
- Russia
- Botswana
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Australia
- Canada
These diamonds are mined from the earth, categorized, and then processed into cut jewels for jewelry. It’s often difficult to see the differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds when comparing them. Assessing your diamond is the only way to know its source and value.
How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made
Let’s learn more about how lab-grown diamonds are created with this overview of production methods.
High-Pressure High-Temperature Technique
The original lab-grown diamonds created by General Electric used the high-pressure, high-temperature technique. In this process, the lab uses a small diamond seed placed in a carbon source and puts it under the same pressure and temperature as a natural diamond’s environment.
Chemical Vapor Deposition Process
Today, most lab-grown diamonds are created using the chemical vapor deposition process. A single diamond seed is placed in a chamber and flooded with hydrocarbon gas to create a similar environment to naturally formed diamonds. The diamond is then chemically induced to grow within the chamber.
Pros and Cons of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The advantages of A lab-grown diamond over a natural diamond include:
- Cost-effectiveness: Diamonds are less expensive to create than to mine. As lab-grown diamond technology increases and the demand grows, the cost may come down even further.
- Ethical considerations: Conditions are poor in some mines, and the people working there are often underpaid and exposed to toxic chemicals. A diamond grown in a lab removes the negative impact of mining on humans.
Potential drawbacks include:
- Environmental impact: While lab-created diamonds are less expensive and may not exploit miners, they have an environmental impact as it takes large amounts of energy to create them. Lab-created diamonds are not considered green or sustainable due to fossil fuel use and toxic by-products.
- Perceptions of value: Lab-grown diamonds are worth it if you’re on a budget and want a larger-carat diamond. However, consider a mined diamond if you want an investment piece.
- Appraisal and resale: A lab-grown diamond might be the right choice if you want a statement piece without going over budget, but you won’t benefit from the resale value of a mined diamond.
Is a Lab-Grown Diamond Right for You?
This decision comes down to a personal choice. Ethical and environmental considerations are strong motivators for buying a lab-grown diamond. However, family members often pass down heirloom diamond jewelry, which can be sentimental pieces. It’s important to align your decision with your values.
Versatility in design and customization are also important factor to consider. It’s easy to get a customized lab-grown diamond ring. Consider what type of style, color, clarity, and size you want in your diamond. Compare the costs of purchasing a customized lab-grown diamond over finding a unique, naturally mined diamond to your specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Below are some common questions about lab-grown diamonds.
Can Lab-Grown Diamonds Be Certified by the Gemological Institute of America?
Yes, they can. The Gemological Institute of America began certifying them in 2019, and provides a laboratory-grown diamond report.
Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Hold Their Value?
Not as well as mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are readily available, while mined diamonds are rare, helping them hold their value better than those created in a lab.
Learn More About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Contact us at Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyer in Westmont, Illinois, for an assessment of your lab-grown diamond’s value and to learn more about why naturally mined diamonds have better resale value. Using a side-by-side comparison, we can show you what the two types of diamonds look like and help you determine which is for you. If you decide you want to sell your real diamond, we’ll be happy to inspect it and give you a competitive estimate.
two diamond studded silver rings by Edgar Soto is licensed with Unsplash License
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