The debate over whether diamonds are natural or man-made has been going on for centuries. Diamonds have been a symbol of luxury and power for centuries. They are renowned for their beauty and versatility, with many uses across different industries. However, the production of diamonds is not without its environmental consequences.
While some diamond mines may be sustainable, most are not. Natural diamonds are mined from the earth and have unique sustainability challenges that lab-grown diamonds do not have. Diamond mining can deplete local resources, damage ecosystems, and release harmful toxins into the environment. In order to offset these negative impacts, some companies have developed a way to create lab-grown diamonds which have a lesser impact on the environment.
What is a Lab Diamond?
A lab diamond is a type of diamond that has been cut and polished in a laboratory setting. They are usually less than 1 carat in size and have a lower value than other diamonds. They have some unique benefits that make them attractive to consumers, such as being easier to certify and store. Laboratory diamonds are cut from larger stones and then polished into their desired shape and size. This process allows for the creation of smaller diamonds with unique characteristics that can’t be found in natural diamonds.
Here’s everything you need to know about lab diamonds:
- Lab diamonds are usually less expensive than natural diamonds.
- They’re often used in applications where a natural diamond wouldn’t be suitable, like in jewellery or watches.
- They’re also often used in settings where quality is important, like medical devices or aircraft engines.
- Lab diamonds are more resistant to wear and tear than natural diamonds.
- They’re easier to certify and store since they don’t have any blemishes or inclusions.
- They’re typically cheaper than other types of diamonds since they’re not as rare or valuable.
- Lab-created diamonds sparkle brighter and longer than natural diamonds do.
What is a Natural Diamond?
A natural diamond is a hard, transparent, chemical-free gemstone. Diamond is composed of carbon, with other elements such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur in small concentrations, which are quite rare, with about 2.5% of the world’s diamonds being natural diamonds. It can occur in many colours, including blue, yellow, pink, purple and black, but the most common colour is white.
Choosing Diamond Jewelry: Difference Between Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds
Price
There is a significant price difference between lab-made and natural diamonds. Natural diamonds are typically more expensive than their lab-made counterparts. The main reason for this is that the costs associated with producing a natural diamond are higher than those of a lab-made diamond. The rarity of a natural diamond also contributes to its high price.
Sustainability
Natural diamonds are mined from the earth, whereas lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment. The environmental impact of natural diamonds is significant because they are extracted from the earth. However, lab-grown diamonds have a much lower environmental impact because they do not come from the earth. The biggest sustainability difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is that natural diamonds take a long time to form and are thus more environmentally sustainable.
Clarity
So, why is clarity so important? Clarity is one of the main factors that determine a diamond’s value. Higher grades of clarity result in higher prices because diamond buyers will pay more for diamonds that have fewer blemishes.
There is a big difference between lab diamonds and natural diamonds regarding clarity. Lab diamonds are typically much more clarity-wise than natural diamonds, with the finest grades having a clarity of SI1 or better. This means that all the diamond’s internal defects are visible to the naked eye.
Look
When it comes to diamonds, the “look” can be a big factor in deciding which one to buy. Diamonds that are lab-made usually have a less intense colour and fewer inclusions than natural diamonds. They also tend to be smoother, appearing shinier. Natural diamonds, on the other hand, can come in many different colours and often have more inclusions (irregular shapes within the diamond). They also may have a rougher surface texture.
Colour
Lab diamonds are typically more colourful than natural diamonds. This is because diamond cutters use a higher percentage of colour in lab diamonds to make them look attractive. Natural diamonds are usually less colourful because they contain fewer impurities and inclusions.
Durability
Natural diamonds are often considered to be more durable than lab diamonds. This is because lab diamonds are typically cut and polished to a higher standard, which can lead to them being more prone to scratches and other damage. Natural diamonds are typically found in rough form and often lack the same level of care that is given to lab diamonds. However, this doesn’t mean that natural diamonds aren’t durable – in fact, they can actually be even more so.
Conclusion:
- There are two types of diamonds: natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds.
- Natural diamonds come from the earth, while lab-created diamonds are made in a laboratory.
- There are many differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds, such as their price, sustainability, clarity, look, colour, and durability.
- Natural diamonds have unique chemical properties that make them harder, more durable and sparklier than lab-created diamonds.
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FAQs
Are lab diamonds less valuable than natural diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds. They are created in a laboratory by replicating the conditions that produce a natural diamond. Lab-grown diamonds may be cheaper to buy because they don’t need to be mined. They also don’t require the same amount of energy as mining diamonds, and they create less pollution. They almost have the same appearance as natural diamonds, but they’re not as rare and as valuable.
Do lab diamonds last as long as natural?
Lab-grown diamonds are often mistaken for their natural counterparts due to their similarities in appearance. However, there are differences between lab and natural diamonds. Lab-grown stones often have a lower clarity and colour than natural diamonds, but they can be made to look just like a natural diamond. Lab-grown diamonds also cannot be used in jewellery that is exposed to high temperatures because they will lose their colour faster than a natural diamond would.
Can a jeweller tell the difference between lab and natural?
It’s hard to tell the difference between lab-created and natural diamonds because they have the same chemical composition. However, there is one way that you can tell them apart – their fluorescence. Lab-created diamonds have a brighter fluorescence than natural ones, which makes them easier to identify.