You may think lab-grown diamonds are a rhinestone knockoff product that doesn’t measure up to glowing brilliance of a mined gem. Yet the look, feel, durability and strength of manmade diamonds are virtually equal to diamonds pulled out of the earth. They’re just as durable and distinctive.
“All natural diamonds are going to look different from one another,” explained Amanda Gizzi, rep for the Jewelers of America trade organization, to Fox Business News. “They’re all individual, they all have different characteristics.” Lab Grown are no different: They have individual sparkle and color and are graded on the same scale. “They all have individual certifications that come with them,” Gizzi added.
The key difference: one is made in a lab; the other mined.
Because lab-grown diamonds take less time to develop and are becoming more abundant, the prices for them tend to be lower, on average. You can potentially save thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the stones you’re considering. Manufactured diamonds can be 40 percent cheaper than their mined cousins.
As a hobby crafter or jewelry vendor, should you be using them in your projects? The answer to that question may depend on the market you’re targeting. If you’re making rings, earrings and other jewelry for yourself that feature diamonds, there’s no reason to spend extra for mined specimens, unless such lineage is important to you.
If you’re an artisan forging jewelry for a general or cost-conscious consumer, manmade diamonds may be an excellent choice. You can charge less overall for your products and still net a large profit given the lower materials cost. Someone shopping for luxury diamond jewelry may opt for a mined diamond, but that also means higher initial costs and a higher risk if the piece doesn’t sell.
Don’t forget: You must legally disclose when you’re selling a manmade diamond.
Historically, the resale value of mined diamonds is higher than manmade. But the greater acceptance of manmade diamonds is also leading to them maintaining or increasing their value over years. Many professional jewelers now offer a collection that includes mined and manmade diamonds.
Ecological and Ethical Advantages
Beyond cost savings, some consumers also don’t appreciate the ecological and societal impacts that come with mined diamonds and are largely avoided by manmade gems. Traditional diamond mining has long been associated with devastating environmental impacts, from deforestation to soil erosion and habitat destruction. Additionally, the energy-intensive mining process contributes to significant carbon emissions.
Synthetic diamonds are produced in controlled labs that significantly reduce the environmental footprint. The production uses less energy and water and does not require large-scale land disturbance.
Synthetic diamonds also eliminate many of the issues surrounding conflict diamonds or "blood" diamonds. "Blood diamonds refer to diamonds mined in war zones and sold to fund armed conflicts against governments. The traceability and transparency of synthetic diamonds ensure that they are free from such associations, promoting a more responsible and humane industry.
How Lab-Grown Diamonds are Made
Understanding synthetic diamonds’ creation process will help some appreciate these technological marvels.
Two methods are typically used to grow diamonds in the lab: high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). HPHT mimics the conditions in which natural diamonds are formed deep in the Earth's mantle. The process involves a combination of high pressure and high temperature to transform carbon into crystalline diamond.
Diamonds grown by HPHT are known for their high quality and range from colorless to slightly colored, similar to natural diamonds.
In CVD, the deposition process begins with plasma versus gas phase condensation, whereby the carbon-rich gases are dissociated into plasma and then deposited on a substrate as thin layers to form a crystal lattice. CVD synthetic diamonds can be obtained from such tiny seeds and grown in a grain of plasma. This method allows for greater control over the quality and properties of the diamonds, including the ability to produce larger and clearer stones. Both methods produce diamonds virtually identical to those created by nature over millions of years. However, lab-developed technology such as those used at labgrown.com allows faster production while maintaining strict quality standards.
Crafting an Engagement Ring
Before you purchase a diamond, you may be wondering: Can I actually make an engagement ring? Well, check out the story of Youtuber Mike Boyd. He wanted to make a ring to propose to his girlfriend. A ring that she’d be proud to wear for years. So he found an artisan to teach him.
As you can see in the above video, you’ll need some jeweling tools: a file, heavy duty pliers, drill, blow torch and more. In all the training and work require six plus hours of work. Anyone planning to turn ring crafting into a business should take into account their labor cost when pricing the finished project.
If you want to read some of the steps involved, you can also check out Instructables how-to, which has detailed pictures.
The Versatility of Lab-Grown Options
Consumers who prefer understated elegance may opt for modern minimalist settings such as simple solitaire rings, delicate necklaces, and classic earrings. These pieces can be easily dressed up or down, making them ideal for everyday wear or special occasions.
Another interesting trend in lab-grown diamond jewelry is the resurgence of vintage and retro-inspired designs. Pieces featuring intricate details, such as milgrain borders, filigree work, and bezel settings, are making a comeback. Lab-grown diamonds in these settings provide a nice blend of old-world charm and modern innovation.
Additionally, lab grown diamonds can come in fancy colors, from vibrant pinks and blues to rich yellows and spectacular blacks. The availability of these stunning hues allows for greater creativity and customization. Lab-grown fancy-colored diamonds offer a more affordable way to own these rare gemstones without compromising their beauty or quality.
Lab-grown diamonds are more than just a trend. They are increasingly becoming the choice for diamonds as more and more consumers look towards sustainable routes toward luxury fashion. So, you can still have it all in a rock- quality, ethically sourced and beauty (of course, brilliance).
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