Common Questions About Lab Created Diamond
Diamonds are known for their elegance and beauty, but with the rise in ethical and sustainable greener practices, many jewelers and companies are turning to another source for diamonds than the traditional mines. Lab grown diamonds are starting to grow in popularity especially within the engagement ring industry, but there are many assumptions about these ethical gems. I am here to answer some common questions/ misconceptions most people have.
Aren’t lab created diamonds fake?
Well actually the answer is No. Do not let the words “lab created” fool you. The diamonds created inside of a lab are structurally and chemically the same as organic diamonds. The only difference is that lab created diamonds are created in a lab rather than miles below the earth. This change in location helps reduce cost, time and efforts in resources spent looking for possible mining sites. Otherwise both sources have the same diamond crystal lattice structure.
Why are lab diamonds less expensive if they aren’t fake?
Yes, in general lab created diamonds, or synthetic diamonds, tend to be cheaper by about 20%. Like I said before, lab created diamonds are not miles below the earth, making it easier to obtain them, thus saving companies thousands in mining operations. This creates a chain reaction that eventually ends in lower costs per diamonds. The lower cost does not mean that the diamond is of any less quality. However, the industry is always changing and as demand for synthetic diamonds rises, it is only natural that prices will rise with it.
Is it easy to distinguish lab diamonds vs. organic diamonds?
Remember when I said that lab created diamonds have the same composition as natural diamonds? Well that means that it is actually very difficult to distinguish them apart. It is almost impossible to tell the difference with the naked eye and takes a trained gemologist with a scope to tell them apart. The main point is that your friends will never be able to tell the difference in your engagement ring, unless they are gemologists.
Wait! This sounds almost to perfect, what are some downsides of a lab diamond?
It is true that the lab created diamond sounds almost too good to be true. But I am sorry to tell you that the only downside is that the lab created diamond is growing in popularity. With this increase in demand it is almost certain that the price of these diamonds will rise. But, that is not a “horrible consequence” of people switching to lab diamonds. If anything, it is a positive consequence that will bring about revolutionary change in the industry. There will be a decline in old mine operations and reduction in illegal and unethical practices such as, child labor, hazardous mining conditions, slave labor, pollution, crime around mining locations, and government exploitation. We understand that it is important to use ethical and greener resources to create our jewelry and we are proud to say that we are part of a movement toward a more sustainable and ethical future.
Sources:
https://www.gemhunt.co/gemtalkblog/2016/7/7/labdiamondsvsrealdiamonds
http://www.jewelrynotes.com/what-is-the-difference-between-natural-and-synthetic-diamonds/