Pros and Cons Of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are a great substitute for mined diamonds since they are almost half the price and have equal physical and visual characteristics.

Finding the ideal engagement ring is difficult enough. However, the advent of lab-grown diamonds, which offer all that gleaming deliciousness at a lower price, has made it even more difficult for buyers to balance their alternatives.

The advantages of lab-created diamonds and reasons they might need to be corrected for you are detailed here.

What Is A Lab-Grown Diamond?

Diamonds that have been developed in a laboratory are also referred to as synthetic diamonds, manufactured diamonds, manufactured diamonds, or cultured diamonds. Scientists may produce these diamonds by isolating carbon and piling it onto itself since diamonds are made up of carbon atoms grouped in a crystal shape.

There are two methods for creating diamonds: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), which uses high heat to separate carbon atoms from their molecules and then allows them to fall like snow onto a flat surface until a diamond forms, and High-Pressure High-Heat (HPHT), which mimics the conditions that create diamonds deep beneath the surface of the earth.

Lab-grown diamonds’ physical, chemical, and visual characteristics are identical to those of mined diamonds. In fact, with specialized equipment that scans for crystal patterns and impurities, industry specialists can distinguish between the two. For instance, if the diamond has nitrogen, it most likely originated from the soil.

Diamond Simulants Vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are not diamond simulants, despite the fact that the word “simulants” is frequently used in talks on lab-grown diamonds.

Although diamond simulants are not carbon-based, lab-grown diamonds have the same atomic structure as genuine diamonds. These imitation diamond-looking gemstones are actually composed of moissanite or cubic zirconia but are designed to seem like diamonds.

Zirconium dioxide is used to make cubic zirconia. Due to its low cost, it is frequently used in costume jewelry and low-priced rings. Unfortunately, cubic zirconia easily stains and scratches, making it a poor substitute for diamonds.

Silicon carbide is used to make moissanite. However, it’s more advantageous to use this stone as a diamond substitute because it is more durable than diamonds and costs only one-tenth as much.

Lab-Grown Diamonds Pros

Cheaper real diamonds

Natural diamonds cost about 60% to 70% more than lab-created diamonds. This implies that you may purchase a genuine diamond for roughly a third of the cost.

As an illustration, consider James Allen’s diamond collection. Their 1-carat round natural diamonds of exceptional F VS1 quality sell for at least $6,970*. Their lab diamonds, meanwhile, are only $1,650 for the same quality.

Better quality.

Growing them in labs can more easily produce diamonds of superior quality. Under carefully monitored settings, lab diamonds grow. They are, therefore, more likely to get better color and clarity ratings.

You don’t have to be concerned about purchasing a diamond that has obvious defects or coloration.

In terms of cut quality, lab diamonds can also outperform natural diamonds. This is because they have fewer flaws in them. In addition, the shape of synthetic roughs is also more consistent. Cutter’s freedom to provide the greatest diamond cut is therefore increased.

More Environmentally Friendly.

To create lab diamonds, you don’t need to move hundreds of tonnes of earth. Acres of watersheds and forests were preserved. Different from their mined counterparts, producing lab diamonds leads to less permanent harm.

However, lab diamonds are not immune to environmental effects. The process of making them releases a lot of greenhouse gas. Their environmental impact is still smaller than that of natural diamonds.

Ethical Sourcing.

Conflict-free diamonds come from labs. They are created in the secure surroundings of laboratories. So you won’t risk purchasing stones mined by slave labor to pay for the war.

Less Expensive To Insure.

It costs less to replace and ensure lab-created diamonds. To prove their worth, they often include grading reports and appraisal forms. It is making them equally safe from theft, damage, transportation, and other risks.

More Affordable Colored Diamonds.

Ever wanted a pink, blue, or yellow diamond to stick out? Diamonds with fancy natural colors are extremely rare and valuable. However, colored lab diamonds are much less expensive.

Lab-Grown Diamonds Cons

No Resale Value

All diamonds generally have low resale value. This is because any diamond cannot be sold again for a profit. But with lab-grown, it’s worse.

Lab-created diamonds have no market value. Since they are mass-produced, their rarity does not add value to them. Due to technological advancements, they will become even more affordable in the future. You would be fortunate to recoup 10% of what you spent on your lab-grown if you intended to sell it.

Not Rare

A drawback of mass-produced stones is if you or your partner value rarity. Unfortunately, unique, one-of-a-kind stones are not available.

Prejudice Against Lab Diamonds

Lab diamonds are not to everyone’s taste. Some people like natural stones, including your lover.

If you purchase a lab-grown diamond, you should be ready for the occasional claims that the stone is a fake. or that you are a scrooge.

Fewer insurance companies

A lab-created diamond costs less to insure. However, some jewelers caution that finding insurance coverage for them may be more difficult.

Others claim that it is not at all difficult to insure them. In any event, before purchasing a lab diamond, make sure you are prepared with your insurance alternatives.

Are Lab-grown diamonds worth It?

This depends on your definition of “worth it.”

The advantages of lab diamonds in money, ecology, and ethics are reason enough for many people to switch. However, if you’re put off by their synthetic origin, lack of rarity, and lack of resale value, they might not be for you.

FAQs

Why do lab-created diamonds make bad investments?

In contrast to naturally occurring diamonds, which increase in value over time, laboratory-grown diamonds are manufactured goods completed in a couple of weeks. As a result, there is NO secondary market for them because they are common and easy to mass-make.

Do lab-grown diamonds become cloudy?

Diamonds created in a lab often have good clarity. Lab-created diamonds won’t become cloudy, just like a fine genuine diamond.

Do lab diamonds Stay sparkly?

Even though some lab-grown diamonds can deteriorate, this only occurs when the diamond is of poor grade. Due to excessive UV exposure in this situation, they start to lose their luster. The HPHT procedure used to make lab-created diamonds is one factor that prevents them from fading, clouding, or losing their luster over time.

There is still a market for lab-grown diamonds even though it isn’t as big or as strong as the market for earth-mined diamonds. The carat and quality of the diamond are often determinants of resale value.