26th Feb 2024
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Congratulations on saying 'yes' to an eternal bond! Now, all you have to do, if you want a diamond engagement ring, is make the choice between a lab grown or natural diamond engagement ring.
Sounds easy right?
Not necessarily! There are many things to consider when weighing the pros and cons of lab-grown vs natural diamonds. Below, we dive into this sparkling debate to discover the benefits and trade-offs of each radiant contender. So you can make informed decisions that align with your values, desires, and love story.
LAB DIAMONDS VS REAL DIAMONDS: THE BASICS
Let's begin with the most basic of questions. What are both lab diamonds and natural diamonds and how are they similar and different from one another?
WHAT ARE NATURAL DIAMONDS?
Natural diamonds are dazzling mineral crystals that originate from deep within the Earth's mantle and are esteemed for their brilliance and durability. They are formed under incredibly high temperature and pressure conditions. Essentially, over billions of years, carbon atoms buried approximately 100 miles beneath the surface experience heat exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and pressure 50,000 times greater than on Earth's surface. These intense conditions force carbon atoms to bond in a unique, isotropic crystal lattice structure, resulting in the gem's hardness.
From there, volcanic eruptions bring these gems closer to the surface, ready to be mined. Every natural diamond is a historical masterpiece, each representing a captivating glimpse into our planet's unimaginable antiquity and geologic power.
The best natural diamond jewelry has clear and bright diamonds. It is valued for its high grades in Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carats. These grades were standardized by the Gemological Institute of America in the 1950s.
WHAT ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS?
Here's where the lab vs natural diamond debate begins to heat up. Why? Because at the end of the day, lab created diamonds are just like real diamonds except for being grown under controlled laboratory conditions
HOW ARE LAB CREATED DIAMONDS MADE?
Much like natural diamonds, lab created diamonds are made by combining high temperature with high pressure. Scientists use two different processes to grow lab diamonds but both of them begin with carbon-a small sliver of diamond seed that is about the same size as a strand of hair. From there, the diamond seed will be subjected to either HPHT or CVD.
HIGH PRESSURE HIGH TEMPERATURE, AKA HPHT
High pressure high temperature (HPHT) utilizes (you guessed it!) both high pressures and temperatures to create diamonds. Here, the diamond seed is placed into an airtight chamber. Then, helium and oxygen gasses are introduced at face melting temperatures of 2000 C. Subjected to these carbon-rich gasses the diamond seed begins to grow, and before you know it, you have a beautiful lab grown diamond.
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION, AKA CVD
The second way to create lab grown diamonds is by utilizing the chemical vapor deposition process or CVD. As with HPHT, CVD begins with a seed crystal which it then heated to a high temperature in a vacuum chamber. From there, the gasses form into a plasma that helps “build” the layers of the gemstone over several weeks to form man made diamonds.
WAIT, ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS REAL DIAMONDS?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. In fact, The Gemological Institute of America uses the same rigorous standardized grading when grading natural diamonds as they do when grading lab grown diamonds. The chemical makeup of mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds is the same, the main difference between the two of these is purely location! Rough or polished, lab grown and natural diamonds are both diamonds.
LAB VS NATURAL DIAMONDS: PROS AND CONS OF EACH
So if lab and natural diamonds are both chemically and physically identical that means that they have the same pros and cons...right? Not exactly. Even though they are identical there are some still key pros and cons to take into account when comparing lab-created diamonds vs natural diamonds. Let's start with naturally mined diamonds.
PROS OF NATURAL DIAMONDS
MINED DIAMONDS ARE MORE UNIQUE THAN NATURAL DIAMONDS
Mother Earth naturally grows diamonds over billions of years. Finding these natural stones is a labor of love. They are rare, organic, and have unique qualities that are as timeless as the earth. Lab diamonds can't match the special and time-consuming process of creating natural diamonds.
EARTH GROWN DIAMONDS ARE A BETTER INVESTMENT THAN MAN MADE DIAMONDS
As lab grown diamonds flood diamond market their prices and value will resultingly fluctuate. Lab created diamonds can be produced in infinite quantities, but natural diamonds are a finite and precious resource. Natural diamonds are limited on Earth. Supply and demand indicate that natural diamonds are a more valuable investment than lab-grown diamonds.
NATURAL STONES ARE EQUALLY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AS LAB CREATED DIAMONDS
Turns out, the environmental impact between lab-grown and natural diamonds is pretty much a tie! Sure, digging up diamonds does stir up the Earth a bit. But guess what? Making a lab-grown diamond isn't totally 'green' either. It turns out creating just one teeny carat of a lab-grown diamond releases a whopping 511 kg of greenhouse gas — over three times more than a naturally mined diamond!
So, in the big environmental picture, it's really a toss-up. Both mining natural diamonds and creating lab-grown ones have their pros and cons. They're almost like two sides of the same shiny coin! So it really comes down to what matters most to you.
CONS OF NATURAL DIAMONDS
NATURAL DIAMOND PRICES ARE HIGHER
Natural diamonds are a rare and precious resource. The cost of lab grown diamonds VS natural is less, yes. Natural diamonds are more expensive in the short-term, but as the diamond markets lab grown diamond value changes, the natural diamond costs stay relatively the same. While natural diamond prices are higher, they are a long-term priceless investment!
PROS OF LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
LAB GROWN DIAMOND PRICES ARE MORE AFFORDABLE
Lab grown diamonds are more affordable due to the increased production. At Olivia Ewing Jewelry, our lab grown diamonds are 48% more affordable than our naturally mined diamonds for example and that can save you a whole lot!
ONLY TRAINED GEMOLOGISTS CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAB AND MINED DIAMONDS
As we've mentioned many times already, because lab grown and natural diamonds are identical it is virtually impossible to tell them apart. In fact, only trained gemologists are able to identify a lab grown diamond. Usually, because of the formation of crystal abnormalities that are common with HPHT and CVD growing processes.
CONS OF LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS HAVE SATURATED DIAMOND MARKETS
In the past five years, lab grown diamond costs have gone from 20% below the price of natural diamonds to 80-90%-this has created a market saturation of lab diamonds. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the overabundance of diamonds kind of takes away that special "oomph" which makes purchasing a diamond so special in the first place.
WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU, A LAB GROWN OR MINED DIAMOND?
Only you can decide whether a lab ground vs mined diamond is the best fit for your future engagement rings! If you plan on cashing in on your diamond, the fixed value and investment of an earth diamond is in your best interest over time! If the aspect of rarity does not bother you, a lab grown diamond is an affordable option, as well as a reclaimed gem!
FIND YOUR PERFECT NATURAL OR LAB GROWN DIAMOND AT OLIVIA EWING JEWELRY
Hey, whether you fall for a sparkler created in a high-tech lab or you're smitten with a diamond that's come straight from the mysteries of the earth, Olivia Ewing Jewelry has your dream engagement ring waiting. And here's the scoop: lab grown or natural diamond, it doesn't matter—your chosen diamond and the love it symbolizes are for keeps. Guaranteed, with a sprinkle of forever!