Lab Diamonds Vs. Natural Diamonds
Lab Diamonds have become more mainstream in recent years, but what are they? Many people still wonder if they are actual diamonds and what the value is. So here’s the skinny on Lab Diamonds Vs. Natural Diamonds.
Lab Diamonds are simply that, diamonds grown in a laboratory setting versus grown in the earth's crust. Sounds easy right? Can I grow a diamond? No, probably not unless you are Carroll Chatham who pioneered lab grown diamonds and gemstones in his parents garage at the age of 12 way back in the 1920s. Lab diamonds are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes to duplicate the conditions under which natural diamonds are created deep within the earth's mantle, meaning using extreme heat and extreme pressure to form a diamond. The elements of a lab diamond and a natural diamond consist of the same carbon atoms, therefore they will exhibit the same characteristics and chemical properties.
Can you visually tell the difference between a lab diamond and a natural diamond? The answer would be no. To the naked eye, and even under magnification, the two diamonds are indistinguishable. Only a gemologist would be able to tell the two a part with very sophisticated equipment.
Lab diamonds and natural diamonds are graded the same based on the “4 C’s” Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. The value and price for both types of diamonds is directly related to the 4 C’s. Then why are lab diamonds more affordable? For one they are conflict free, meaning they are grown and not mined in the earth, so they are “easier” to find. Also, natural diamonds, because they are found in the earth, have a scarcity to them, we do not know how many diamonds actually exist and where to find them which makes their price ticket higher.
So the big question remains…. Which is right for you? It is really a question of preference and not of quality. Lab diamonds are in fact “real diamonds” so maybe price has something to do with your choice, or that they are conflict free. Possibly you like the romance of natural diamonds. There really is no right or wrong choice between the two.
Lab Diamonds have become more mainstream in recent years, but what are they? Many people still wonder if they are actual diamonds and what the value is. So here’s the skinny on Lab Diamonds Vs. Natural Diamonds.
Lab Diamonds are simply that, diamonds grown in a laboratory setting versus grown in the earth's crust. Sounds easy right? Can I grow a diamond? No, probably not unless you are Carroll Chatham who pioneered lab grown diamonds and gemstones in his parents garage at the age of 12 way back in the 1920s. Lab diamonds are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes to duplicate the conditions under which natural diamonds are created deep within the earth's mantle, meaning using extreme heat and extreme pressure to form a diamond. The elements of a lab diamond and a natural diamond consist of the same carbon atoms, therefore they will exhibit the same characteristics and chemical properties.
Can you visually tell the difference between a lab diamond and a natural diamond? The answer would be no. To the naked eye, and even under magnification, the two diamonds are indistinguishable. Only a gemologist would be able to tell the two a part with very sophisticated equipment.
Lab diamonds and natural diamonds are graded the same based on the “4 C’s” Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. The value and price for both types of diamonds is directly related to the 4 C’s. Then why are lab diamonds more affordable? For one they are conflict free, meaning they are grown and not mined in the earth, so they are “easier” to find. Also, natural diamonds, because they are found in the earth, have a scarcity to them, we do not know how many diamonds actually exist and where to find them which makes their price ticket higher.
So the big question remains…. Which is right for you? It is really a question of preference and not of quality. Lab diamonds are in fact “real diamonds” so maybe price has something to do with your choice, or that they are conflict free. Possibly you like the romance of natural diamonds. There really is no right or wrong choice between the two.