Lab-Grown Diamonds: Real Or Fake?
Compared to natural diamonds, lab-created diamonds rings (otherwise known as lab-grown or artificial diamonds) have the same physical, chemical and optical characteristics as a ‘real’ diamond. The only difference between the two are their origin. While simulated diamonds look exactly identical to natural diamonds they are not true carbon crystals. To the naked eye (meaning to most people) it is an undistinguishable stone. It sits upon a wedding ring or a necklace like a natural one. Yes, it means that people will NOT be able to tell difference between Simulated Zircon Diamond to Natural Diamond. They’ll just admire your lab-grown diamond ring. With that being said, lab-grown diamonds can be differentiated from natural diamonds by a professional gemmologists with the specialized equipment in use.
How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Made?
So, the natural question that pops to our heads then is: How are lab grown diamonds being made? Well, natural diamonds are are actually being formed underground, in the deep layers of the Earth, over millions of years. That happens due to a natural combination of intense heat and sheer pressure in Earth’s lower layers. When being laid upon natural materials, stones begin to emerge. Lab-created diamonds, however, are grown from the tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds. Along with advanced technologies or extreme pressure and heat (or a special deposition process known as CVD) – we are able to mimic the natural process of diamond formation.
We make a diamond seed feel like it’s in Earth’s Core, speeding up the process by incredible amounts. These men-made diamonds consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the appropriate diamond crystal structure. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they offer the same brilliance and hardness of natural diamonds. This results in a beautiful and breathtaking engagement ring diamond.
Are Lab Diamonds cheaper than Natural Diamonds?
Natural Diamonds Prices
An obvious question now is: Does it actually save you money? Just think about the long-chain of processes and necessities that a natural diamond needs to go through to get to you ring. We need to go through exploration – finding a functional diamonds mine. Extraction – getting the diamonds out in a great condition. Transportation – getting the diamond on to the suppliers. Manufacturing – cleaning them and making them suitable to shape. Distribution – getting them all the way to different jewelry designers. Just to name a few steps… right? Each one of these steps comes with a cost, some of them a great one, and they’re all added to the hefty price tag of the finalized diamond we see in retailers.
Lab Grown diamonds Prices
Now, lab grown diamonds offer the great value and prestige of a natural one, with immense differences of prices. A lab grown diamond is a lot more affordable than a natural diamonds of the same size and quality. Because of this, lab diamonds can be a great option for engagement ring shoppers looking to get a larger center diamond within their budget. That is, of course, due to the fact that almost all of the processes of a natural diamond does not occur with the creation of a lab diamond. This saves money to the maker, this saves money to the supplier, this saves money to the retailer… this saves money to you.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Flawless?
Like Natural Diamonds, each Lab Diamond is a unique piece and no lab diamond is identical to its other lab diamond. They vary in Color, Clarity and Cut (the 4 C’s or diamonds). Lab-created diamonds may contain minor internal inclusion. They are evaluated by independent Gemological laboratory that certify natural diamonds. By using the same strict Standards as they do with natural diamonds, of course. Every lab diamond that was evaluated by an authorized institution is being certified with a stamped document stating its characteristics and value.
Lab Created Diamonds are Better For The Environment?
Now that’s an interesting question. And not to say, a tricky one as well. Why is that? Well, artificial diamonds that we make in a laboratory are obviously Conflict Free Diamonds. They weren’t dogged out from big mines with polluting machines in an intrusive process. And no human exploitation happened produce them. When you read this you might think that artificial diamonds are basically a perfect solution or middle-ground. That they are even great for our world – creating jobs and saving nature. Unfortunately, I believe the truth is not exactly as pretty and pure as that…
A Perfect Solution… Is It?
The main reason lab-made diamonds are not the perfect solution is that they require great amounts of power. Manufacturing and creating a lab diamond requires a lot of electricity. When we make more lab diamonds – we’re in a need for more power, resulting more pollution to the planet. With that said, since the produce of a clean and green energy has had a major improvement during recent years, I do believe that in time and in accordance to the developing green-energy fields and bright innovators – lab grown diamond would become the perfect answer for the people looking for a conflict-free, world-helper and energy-saver diamond engagement ring or a wedding ring.