Why Lab Diamonds May be the New “Forever” in the Diamond Industry
Trends are suggesting more women are going with lab diamonds over natural diamonds for their engagement rings. Not only are they a fantastic way to save money, but they are stunning, eco-friendly and morally ethical than natural diamonds and the bonus is that they are absolutely real diamonds. Even though lab diamonds may be a new thing for you, it’s a great option to explore and with a little information under your belt, you’ll be able to confidently purchase a lab diamond.
Diamonds grown in a laboratory setting are usually also known as synthetic diamonds. Being grown much faster than mined diamonds, lab diamonds are formed in high tech facilities with the latest innovation, producing the best possible result: real diamonds. The best thing about them? They are more affordable and indistinguishable from mined diamonds. Not to be confused with cubic zirconia (also grown in a lab but of different material), laboratory grown diamonds are genuine in every way.
The only way to determine whether a diamond is natural or manmade is with the use of special equipment or instruments. Both are made with nearly pure carbon, and their crystalline structures are almost identical. While natural diamonds originate from 200 kilometers beneath the surface of the earth, lab diamonds are made in a laboratory with facilities that allow the use of two methods, namely High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Natural diamonds are slowly made from the intense heat and pressure from volcanic activities, and can take up to millions or even billions of years to create. Lab diamonds are made only within weeks or months, and are much cheaper than natural diamonds, sparing you from the guilt of having to buy “blood diamonds” which have been causing conflict in many nations.
For a more detailed description of how lab diamonds are made, the equipments being used mimic or duplicate the intense conditions by which natural diamonds are created. Once grown, the laboratory grown diamonds are ready to be cut and polished, according to the jeweler or client’s specifications. In most cases, these diamonds are cut and polished to be adorned as engagement rings, earrings, and pendants. Other laboratories who specialize in creating manmade diamonds offer a variety of this gem stone in colors, cut, and shapes. Popular hues include pink, blue, yellow, and orange.
After scientists and chemists have developed scientific methods of producing lab diamonds, the demand for these gem stones have increased rapidly. And, because manmade diamonds are far cheaper, most consumers prefer these as engagement rings without worrying about their budgets.
Before you buy an engagement ring, be sure to check out Jeff Amasio’s articles on alternatives to diamonds and the ring buying process. His valuable seminars are respected throughout the “diamond industry” and offer insight into the differences betweenlab diamondsandcubic zirconia.
