FAQ
One question that we’ve settled on is that of choosing between a lab-grown and earth-grown diamond. Not only are lab-grown diamonds ethically sourced, but they’re better for your budget too (lab-grown diamonds tend to run 20-30 percent less than earth-mined ones) — and yes, they are still real diamonds.
1What are lab-grown diamonds? Are lab-grown diamonds considered “real” diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, and they are a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale — the only difference is their origin.
2If you compared a lab-grown diamond to one grown in the earth, would you be able to see a difference? Would a professional be able to see a difference?
Visually, lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds are identical; even to a professional, they would be indistinguishable. In order to differentiate a lab-grown diamond from a mined diamond, the stones would need to be tested using a highly specialized machine. Tools such as microscope and loupe are unable to detect the difference between a lab diamond and a mined diamond. In order to detect a lab diamond reliably, special tools are needed to analyse the structure of the stone on a very detailed level. Such tools are usually found in gemological laboratories, which inspect and grade diamonds. The best way to differentiate a lab diamond from a natural diamond is the grading certificate.
3 Why are LAB diamonds not perfect in its 4CS?
The reason is simply because lab diamonds are grown by replicating the conditions of that natural diamonds in the ground. Lab-grown diamonds have the variations of colour and clarity that exist in mined diamonds. On the average, lab-grown diamonds are generally better quality as compared to average mined diamonds. However, in terms of the colour and clarity, lab diamonds range across the spectrum.
4Why are LAB diamonds more affordable?
The technology behind lab-grown diamonds, mainly via the CVD method, is improving every day and it's been kept quiet by the people behind it.
Although the main methods of lab-grown diamond production are open to the public, minor differences in the process can have a significant impact on the energy consumption in production. Lab-grown diamonds are more affordable primarily because of their supply chain.
Mining a diamond from the ground and getting it on your fiancée's (or your) finger involves A LOTof people.
And they all need to get paid!
Check out how the supply chain for mined diamonds looks like:
5Why are lab-grown more affordable than mined diamonds?
"This is in part because lab-grown diamond producers are a fragmented, independent channel, while the mined diamond industry is highly consolidated and coordinated, in terms of supply, distribution, marketing and pricing.
The labs aren’t just competing with the mined diamond industry, but also with each other for market share." Lucky for you and me, lab-grown diamonds are affected by the forces of the free market.
Choosing lab-grown means affordable rings if you're looking to propose.
6 What color diamonds are available?
Diamonds can be grown in yellow, blue ,pink or white (colorless).
7Are lab-grown diamonds certified and graded on the same scale that mined ones are?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same standards that are used for mined diamonds. They are graded based on the diamond’s four Cs — color, cut, clarity, and carat.
Each diamond is graded by several gemologists at the lab, and the grades are compiled to ascertain a final grade.
