Does the thought of using lab grown diamonds for engagement rings appeal to you? Don’t know what you should know about it, though? I’m here to break it down for you.
Lab grown diamonds are becoming more and more popular these days. For good reason. Lab grown diamonds tend to be more cost effective than their natural counterparts. Plus, they have the same components. And, of course, there’s the sustainability and ethical reasons, too. More on those later.
It’s no surprise that many couples look into lab grown diamonds for engagement rings, and other jewelry in general. What’s important to do though, is your research. No matter where you purchase it from, an engagement ring is a big deal. You want it to be special. Because of this, you need to know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
All About Lab Grown Diamonds For Engagement Rings
This post is going to tell you all about lab grown diamonds for engagement rings. It will break down the biggest questions out there regarding lab grown diamonds, and provide resources where available. I will not give you my opinion on what you should choose, though. That is up to you.
Let’s get into it!
WHAT ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS?
According to Natural Diamonds, there are some distinct differences between natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds.
Natural diamonds are finite minerals created by nature. They are in a crystalline form of pure carbon. This makes them the hardest naturally occurring substance. Natural diamonds were formed deep within the Earth billions of years ago.
Conversely, lab grown diamonds are synthetic, created in a laboratory. They are a man-made product that mimics the physical characteristics of a natural diamond. However, they can be made in unlimited quantities in labs using high pressure temperature and chemical vapor disposition. Physically, chemically, and optically, they are exactly the same as naturally mined diamonds.
THE HISTORY OF LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
Though one may assume that lab grown diamonds are a new invention, they really aren’t.
General Electric first started creating diamonds in 1954. However, it took some time before lab grown diamonds actually became aesthetically pleasing. The main reason for this was the technology used. As the technology became better, so did the look of the diamonds. Since the 1980’s, lab grown diamonds have grown in popularity and accessibility. Today, an easy online search will find you many different lab grown diamond dealers.
POSITIVES OF LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
There are many different positives to lab grown diamonds, ranging from environmental friendliness to affordability. I’d like to explore each benefit a bit below.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS ARE MORE SUSTAINABLE, AND HAVE LESS CONTROVERSY
To say that lab grown diamonds are more sustainable than natural diamonds is a bold and controversial statement, so I will caveat it a bit. Compared to natural diamonds, there is very little controversy over the mining and sourcing of lab grown diamonds. Though you can purchase natural diamonds with clean mining records, lab grown diamonds are conflict free, 100% of the time.
However, the caveat here is that lab grown diamonds are not 100% environmentally friendly. It does require a lot of energy to create them. Most of the creation happens in China and India, using electricity generated from coal.
Additionally, as mentioned above, not all natural diamonds are mined in horrible conditions. Many countries benefit from mining as part of their economy. Plus, working conditions for many mined natural diamonds are followed by high standards.
In short, there are pro’s and con’s to both types of diamonds, in terms of how they are sourced. It’s important to do your research either way, to decide what works best for your standards.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS ARE MORE AFFORDABLE
One undisputed benefit of buying lab grown diamonds over natural diamonds is the cost.
On average, lab grown diamonds are one third, to one quarter, of the cost of naturally sourced diamonds. This is comparing diamond to diamond, so to speak. The same size rock, with the same cut, color, clarity, and all that, will definitely be less if it’s lab grown. This is a good thing when you’re buying an engagement ring, because they truly are expensive.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS ARE THE REAL THING
I went over this a couple times now, but I’ll call it out again.
Lab grown diamonds are the real thing. No, they were not created millions of years ago in the core of the Earth. But, they are diamonds. They have the same chemical makeup of natural diamonds. They look real, they feel real, and they are as hard as, well, diamonds. The reason they look real is because they are real.
When you factor in the sustainability, the sourcing, the cost, and the fact that you are getting the “real thing”, many people agree that lab grown diamonds have the edge over natural diamonds.
NEGATIVES OF LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
Now that we’ve gone over the positives of lab grown diamonds, lets go over the negatives. And, there are a couple that should be considered before you purchase.
IT’S HARD TO PREDICT THE RESALE AMOUNT OF A LAB GROWN DIAMOND
Have you ever tried to sell a diamond? It’s often easy to assume you will get the same amount as you paid for it, or more. However, this just isn’t the case.
Natural diamonds do not hold their value as most people assume. It does come down to the quality of the diamond, and the buyer, but in general, the resale value is difficult to predict and usually not what you’d expect.
So, what does this have to do with the resale value of lab grown diamonds?
Well, if natural diamonds don’t hold their value, imagine what that does for the lab grown diamond resale market. It’s very difficult to predict the resale amount. They haven’t been around for that long, and when you buy them for that much less, the resale amount will be proportionally less, too.
All of this to say is that you shouldn’t see lab grown diamonds as an investment. They are not likely to increase in value over time, just like natural diamonds.
PROFESSIONALS CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAB GROWN AND NATURAL
One downside to having a lab grown diamond is that, for some people, differences can be apparent between them and natural diamonds.
Now, those people tend to be diamond professionals. Because it takes less time to create a lab grown diamond, diamond professionals are able to detect differences between the two types. However, most people can’t. And, you know what? It’s all good. Having a lab grown diamond isn’t some sort of secret, unless you’re trying to get more money for it than it’s worth. This negative is only important if you are against anyone, ever, knowing that you have a lab grown diamond.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A LAB GROWN DIAMOND
Okay, so maybe you’re ready to shop for a lab grown diamond. You know the positives and negatives, found the one you want, and are good to go.
What should you look for?
Well, other than the cut, color, clarity, and carat that you’re seeking, there are couple certifications you should seek for your lab grown diamonds. First, if you are buying a diamond that is a half carat or more, it should be certified by the International Gemological Institute. The IGI verifies authenticity and quality of lab grown diamonds. It basically ensures that what you’re buying is . . . what you want to buy.
The second certificate to look for is a sustainability certification. You can read more about sustainability certificates in this link, but basically they ensure the diamonds are traceable, ethical, and environmentally-friendly. Again, due to the corruption that plagues the diamond industry, it’s important to know where you’re sourcing your purchases.
THOUGHTS ON LAB GROWN DIAMONDS FOR ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Friends, I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with buying lab grown diamond engagement rings. The affordability factor alone is a big selling point. These diamonds are exactly like the “real thing”, and only the very best and skilled professionals can tell them apart. If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, look into all of your options. Do your homework, and feel good about your purchase, whether it be a naturally mined diamond or a lab grown one. You’ve got this!
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