Many people misunderstand lab-created diamonds. Some think they are not real diamonds and others think they don’t hold any value. Unless one reads about these diamonds and even keeps them, they might never understand that they are real and valuable. In fact, they can even be certified by GIA and IGI.
If you’re looking for the truth about lab-created diamonds, then you are at the right place. This post has everything you should know about them. Read to the end to understand why you shouldn’t overlook these diamonds the next time you want to invest in this industry.
Let’s get into everything you should know about these diamonds.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
The first step should be to understand what lab-grown diamonds are. They are an alternative to natural diamonds made in laboratories. They can also get referred to as lab-engineered or even cultivated diamonds. These diamonds are identical to natural ones physically and chemically.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real?
Yes, the reality with lab grown diamonds is that they are real. In the past, not everyone was open to buying lab created diamond rings. As we’ve mentioned, lab created diamonds are made to look exactly like natural ones. They’re made in an environment that mimics the earth’s crust.
Thus, it would be best if you didn’t worry that diamond jewelry made from labg rown diamonds will be low quality. You can still get the desired value if you invest in lab grown diamond jewelry. This means you don’t have to buy natural diamonds if you cannot afford them.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
There are two significant methods of making diamonds in the lab. The first method is the high-temperature high-pressure technique (HTHP). In HTHP, diamonds get exposed to around 2000 Celsius temperature and about 1.5 million PSI of pressure for the treatment.
However, this high temperature and high pressure make this treatment method expensive. This is why the chemical vapor deposition method is there as an alternative.
The CVD method uses two techniques, i.e. Ionized plasma and heating, to supply energy to the chamber. It doesn’t require as much energy as the HTHP method. CVD mimics the process of forming diamonds in interstellar gas clouds. The power supplied into the chamber breaks the chemical bonds in the gasses and then forms the diamond layer by layer until it is fully formed.
You can create high-grade diamonds using either of these methods. But CVD is now the most preferred because of its simplicity and low costs. The only downside of the CVD method is that it doesn’t yield diamonds that are over 3.2 carats.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Graded?
The grading process of lab grown diamonds can be tricky just like the process for natural ones because grading requires some background knowledge and follows strict criteria.
There are the 4Cs that are being considered when grading a diamond. 4Cs is an abbreviation that stands for carat, color, clarity, and cut. One should consider these factors when grading lab grown and natural diamonds.
As a consumer, it’s vital to know and understand this grading system to get the best lab created diamonds for your money’s worth. You should also ask for a grading report also known as a diamond certificate. An IGI ( International Gemological Institute) or GCAL-certified (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab )diamond represents a good value opportunity.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Eco-Friendly?
The question many people ask is whether lab created diamonds are eco-friendly. One of the reasons people avoid natural diamonds is because of how they get mined. Mining them causes a lot of havoc by leaving huge mine holes in the mining areas, not to mention the amount of power the machines burn.
Lab grown diamonds don’t get mined from the earth’s crust. This means the environment doesn’t get damaged in any way. Also, the chemicals used to make them get used in controlled environments. No fumes get into the environment to cause any significant pollution.
Where Can I Buy Lab Grown Diamonds?
It wasn’t easy to find lab diamonds when they were first manufactured in 2006. However, lab created diamonds are almost everywhere right now. You can find lab grown diamond engagement rings even in your local jewelry shop and buying them isn’t much of a challenge right now.
The ever increasing demand for these diamonds has made them so available. You only need to identify a dealer who can supply you with lab created diamonds. You can find them online or by visiting a physical diamond shop near you.
What Are the Advantages of Lab Created Diamonds?
There are various reasons why you should invest in lab created diamonds. Before you decide that they will be an excellent pick, it will help first to know how they can benefit you. This section will look at the advantages of lab created diamonds. Let’s see them below.
- Affordability – Lab created diamonds aren’t as expensive as natural ones. This makes them a good pick for beginners and short-term investors.
- Ethically sourced – There are no ethical issues relating to lab-created diamonds. There’s no use of child laborers to manufacture them, nor are there any conflicts between communities.
- Eco-friendliness – The environment doesn’t get destroyed when sourcing lab-created diamonds. This makes them a better pick for any environmentally conscious person.
What Is The Value of a Lab Grown Diamond?
We have already mentioned that lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. This means that they hold significant value. Also, being affordable doesn’t make them valueless. Thus, they have the ability to store value whether as a short or long-term investment.
Lab grown diamonds can retain their value for long just like natural diamonds. This explains why the lab grown diamond market has been growing recently. More people are beginning to appreciate the value of lab created diamonds and are buying more of them.
Conclusion
This article has explored the facts you should know about lab created diamonds. Now you don’t think of lab grown diamonds as fake or of lower quality. Engagement rings made from lab created diamonds are the same quality as those made from natural or mined diamonds.
However, the issues around blood or conflict diamonds have pushed people towards lab grown diamonds. Also, other people pick lab created diamonds because they are cheaper. You can save a lot of money by opting for lab grown diamonds, especially if you are a beginner.