Delve into the intriguing world of lab-grown & natural diamonds, exploring their similarities & differences. These diamonds, chemically & optically indistinguishable, are perfect for adorning all types of jewelry. With enduring brilliance & captivating sparkle, they both possess remarkable qualities.
Discover the intricacies of their creation processes, delve into the nuances of pricing considerations & unravel the secrets of their exceptional durability.
With their seemingly boundless brilliance, captivating from every angle & remarkable durability, diamonds stand alone as truly unique gems. These exquisite stones are perfect for adorning engagement rings, necklaces, earrings & everything in between.
Traditionally, diamonds have been exclusively natural creations, each one-of-a-kind. However, in recent years, scientists have unlocked the secret to creating diamonds right here on Earth's surface. Initially developed for industrial purposes, lab-grown diamonds have now evolved to produce larger, high-quality gemstones suitable for jewelry.
Numerous reputable techniques exist for producing exquisite gemstones through the creation of lab-grown diamonds. With their consistent quality & ability for scalable production, lab-grown diamonds have emerged as a contemporary choice for exquisite jewelry pieces.
What Makes A Diamond Real?
Both grown & natural diamonds are regarded as authentic diamonds since they share the same chemical composition. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission revised its guidelines in 2018, acknowledging lab-grown diamonds as distinct from synthetic diamonds. While many consider natural diamonds to be the epitome of authenticity, both lab-grown & earth-made diamonds consist of tightly packed carbon atoms possessing identical chemical & optical properties. As a result, they are equally exquisite gemstones that can enhance any jewelry style.
Lab Created Diamonds Vs. Natural Diamonds: Creation
The key distinction between natural & lab-grown diamonds lies in their origin. Lab-grown diamonds are meticulously created within a controlled laboratory environment, employing either the High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods.
This intricate process unfolds over several weeks or months, commencing with a seed upon which successive layers of carbon gradually accumulate.
As the lab diamonds attain the desired size, they undergo the transformation from rough gems to exquisite, jewelry-quality diamonds through meticulous finishing.
On the contrary, natural diamonds undergo a fascinating process that spans millions or even billions of years. Deep within the Earth, carbon atoms merge under extreme heat & pressure, gradually forming layers of densely packed carbon that eventually crystallize into diamonds.
These precious gems remain buried deep underground for countless millennia until they are abruptly propelled to the surface during volcanic Kimberlite eruptions. These remarkable events, estimated to have transpired between 65.5 & 25 million years ago, swiftly exposed the diamonds to the cooler temperatures of the Earth's crust.
There, they solidified within rocks & awaited their eventual extraction through mining. Once extracted, these rough gems undergo meticulous cutting & polishing, transforming them into exquisite diamonds fit for adorning jewelry.
The primary distinction between lab-created & earth-made diamonds lies in their origin. Despite their vastly different origins, both types of diamonds possess identical optical & chemical properties.
Lab-Grown Diamonds Vs. Earth-Created Diamonds: 4Cs
The inherent qualities of diamonds, whether they are naturally mined or created in a lab, are evaluated based on the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity & carat. These 4Cs serve as the criteria for assessing the quality of individual diamonds across these distinct categories.
Since both earth-created & lab-made diamonds are chemically & optically identical, they can be uniformly graded using the standards of cut, color, clarity & carat.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides comprehensive assessments of lab-grown & natural diamonds, enabling buyers to make informed choices based on the gem's quality & transparency. It's important to note that diamond simulants like moissanite & cubic zirconia do not have GIA ratings available.
You can find high-quality diamonds in both lab-made & natural forms, with a diverse range of GIA ratings for each of the Cs. Just like natural diamonds, lab-made diamonds can also exhibit significant variations in quality, leading to differing GIA ratings based on their 4Cs.
Lab Diamonds Vs. Real Diamonds: Cost
When comparing the cost of lab diamonds & natural diamonds, rarity emerges as the primary factor that accounts for price differences between the two. Natural diamonds command a higher price due to their scarcity, as these gems are formed by the Earth. Given that all natural diamonds have already been created, their supply is finite.
Conversely, lab-created diamonds can be produced on a large scale, which means their value is not determined by their rarity since they can be made without limits. As a result, lab diamonds come with a much more affordable price tag compared to their natural counterparts.
While natural diamonds may come with a higher price tag compared to lab-created ones, they possess a distinctive value that significantly influences their resale price. As a result, they tend to command higher resale values compared to lab diamonds. Conversely, lab-made diamonds lack the same rarity factor, resulting in lower initial purchase prices & resale values when compared to their natural counterparts.
Lab Grown Diamonds Vs. Real Diamonds: Certification
Natural diamonds & lab-made diamonds are chemically identical, allowing for precise grading according to rigorous standards. GIA provides assessments & certifications for both types of diamonds. Additionally, both natural & lab-made gems are eligible for jewelry insurance coverage.
Natural Vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds: Appearance
When the appearance of natural & lab-made diamonds, especially with the naked eye, there are no significant differences to observe. This is because lab-made diamonds exhibit the same refractive qualities & optical characteristics as natural diamonds.
In terms of jewelry, both types of diamonds possess brilliance, sparkle, fire & other desirable qualities that make them ideal for any occasion.
In layman's terms, lab-grown & natural diamonds share an identical appearance due to their identical chemical structure. Both options are equally popular for adorning rings, bracelets & various other forms of jewelry.
Lab Diamonds Vs. Natural Diamonds: Buying Process
At Solitaire Jewelers, we strive to simplify the process of selecting the perfect lab-made or natural diamond for any style of jewelry. Our extensive collection encompasses a wide array of loose natural & lab-made diamonds, available in various shapes, sizes & colors. To acquire a lab-made or natural diamond, carefully evaluate our offerings, giving particular attention to the GIA ratings of each gemstone.