What would you say if I told you that you could buy an engagement ring that was created in a lab? Chances are, you’d want to know more about it! The engagement ring market has had quite the shake-up in recent years as more and more consumers are looking to lab grown diamond rings as an alternative to traditional natural stone rings. Whether you’re looking to switch up your engagement ring or just want to read up on what all the fuss is about, this guide will answer all of your questions and more!
The history of lab diamonds
Beginning with a breakthrough discovery of an amazing molecular structure that made diamonds possible to produce synthetically, scientists were now able to make lab grown diamond engagement rings. This meant a cheaper and more beautiful ring than could be mined out of the earth—with no environmental effects or human rights issues involved. Before long, labs around the world were growing diamonds and making them available to consumers everywhere. Let’s take a look at how they do it and how you can buy them for yourself or for your loved one!
How are lab diamonds made?
Lab grown diamonds are created through a technique called chemical vapor deposition. During CVD, gaseous carbon molecules are exposed to high temperatures and react with a gas containing hydrogen. This process produces a diamond coating that can be applied to another object. While both natural and lab grown diamonds result from very similar processes, their respective structures differ. Lab grown diamonds feature more graphite, a form of pure carbon, and fewer impurities than their natural counterparts—which makes them stronger and more durable under everyday wear and tear. This is why many jewelers are choosing lab grown diamonds for engagement rings!
Are lab grown diamonds real?
There are many reasons why a couple might consider buying lab grown diamonds as engagement rings. The first and most obvious is that they’re more affordable than natural diamonds. While lab grown diamonds will never be able to match their naturally formed counterparts for clarity, some of them are just as beautiful and can often be made with similar hues of color. Lab grown diamonds also have a much smaller carbon footprint than natural stones, making them much greener to purchase. Because these stones are grown rather than mined, there’s no need for complex machinery and thousands of years worth of digging that goes into extracting natural diamonds. Once you take these factors into account, it makes sense why so many couples today are choosing to buy lab grown rings over more traditional styles.
What makes them so desirable?
Before we delve into why lab grown diamonds are worth looking into, you may be wondering just what makes them so desirable. Essentially, it comes down to three things: color, clarity and cut. Natural diamonds are frequently quite impure and feature a host of different traits that affect their appearance; these include yellow or brown tints (which can be removed with heating or irradiation), visible imperfections, or rounded edges. These may not always make a difference to those who don’t do much comparison shopping but they will certainly raise eyebrows if you compare your ring side by side with a lab grown version.
Is it worth the investment?
While some people have reservations about lab grown diamonds, others find them to be better than mined diamonds. Some even say that lab grown diamonds are a more environmentally friendly option since they use less energy and fuel (in order to dig up natural stones). If you’re considering investing in a lab grown diamond, it’s important to know everything you can before making your final decision. Read on for our take on all things related to lab grown diamond rings!
Ethical and environmental concerns about lab diamonds
Some environmentalists and jewelry enthusiasts are wary of lab grown diamonds because they’re often made from ethically-questionable sources, like coal and graphite. They also question whether or not these lab diamonds are as eco-friendly as real diamonds. But for many jewelers, creating an alternative source for a pure, conflict-free diamond is very attractive. And research suggests that consumers may feel similarly. In a recent report on engagement rings by HSBC Holdings Plc, 11 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to buy lab grown diamonds if they were more affordable than mined stones.
