Everything You Need To Know About Lab-Grown Diamonds

Saying “I do” is one of the most memorable moments in your life. Even if you’re on the other end of the ring, and you had to do the choosing for your spouse-to-be, you know that the beauty of this moment will be further embellished by picking out the perfect ring.

For decades, diamonds have been the go-to choice for those who could afford them. However, in recent years, the growing awareness regarding the diamond industry combined with the economy has inspired more people to switch to lab-grown diamonds.

They are considered the more ethical, cost-effective, yet equally stunning alternative for couples wanting to tie the knot. Here are a few facts you should learn about lab-grown diamonds if you plan to invest in them in the future.

How are lab-grown diamonds made?

In nature, diamonds require time, pressure, and impossibly high temperatures to form from pure carbon. That’s what makes them unique and what has kept their value so high (in addition to their dazzling beauty, of course). In a lab setting, however, this process is condensed into mere weeks, and with the help of advanced technology, experts can create diamonds from carbon mimicking the same natural process, but all the while cutting their carbon footprint.

When created, they are equally as “rough” as the diamonds found in nature, which means they still require some work to be ready for that glittering ring or necklace. Then it’s up to jewelry and lab technicians to refine the cut, clarity, and color of the diamond in question to turn it into a market-worthy sample.

The real vs. lab-made comparison

The real breakthrough of this process in the industry is the fact that the lab-grown diamonds are the same as real, Earth-mined diamonds in terms of their structure and purity. In fact, they are so alike that even the most experienced professionals wouldn’t be able to tell the difference without the use of specific machines that can determine the origin of the diamond.

They have been recognized as real and equal to mined diamonds back in 2018, even though they’ve been created for many years prior. In 1954, the very first lab-grown diamonds were made, and in the seventies and eighties, they became more widespread and commercially available.

Lab-made offers bespoke designs

Although mined diamonds still hold a high market value, there are some perks that have been pushing the lab-grown diamond to the spotlight of the industry. For example, brands such as Deltora Diamonds offer to create bespoke, customized diamonds for the customer. This means that you can actually participate in the design process instead of buying the finished product.

Allowing this level of authenticity and expression is pushing lab-grown diamonds to the forefront, as more customers today want to add even more meaning to this, often once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Personalization for engagement rings is particularly popular, so the freedom to design your own “rock” makes all the difference.

Ethical and sustainable

The modern consumer is aware of the impact we have on the planet. Add to that, the truth about the diamond industry and its destructive nature for so many innocent people makes diamonds another rarity that fewer people now want to purchase. The matter of mining combined with unethical processes behind many diamond businesses is allowing the lab-grown brands to get more traction.

Since making lab-grown diamonds takes several weeks and doesn’t require any mining whatsoever, the carbon footprint of lab-grown diamonds is significantly lower than natural diamonds.

Valuable and cost-effective

Precisely because of the eco-friendly advantage of lab-grown diamonds and their availability, it doesn’t cost a fortune to create them, so it’s naturally less costly to purchase one, as well. The shorter supply chain and all the eliminated setbacks from the production make lab-grown diamonds anywhere from 40-60% less costly than mined diamonds.

Their lower price tag makes them the ideal option for modern-day couples, since investing in a lab-grown diamond doesn’t require a fortune.

At the same time, the diamond industry remains highly relevant as part of our culture and tradition, but it’s rapidly evolving to help modern customers create the same experience at the fraction of the carbon price for the planet. Not to mention that it’s much more budget-friendly, too. The lab-grown trend is making diamonds possible for more people and it will surely allow for a more Earth-friendly way to cherish this tradition in the future, as well.

Have you ever purchased a lab-grown diamond? Let us know down in the comments.

This article originally published on GREY Journal.