What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
A lab-grown diamond is essentially a diamond in every aspect: physical, optical, and chemical properties. Visually, it is indistinguishable from a natural diamond, even to a certified gemologist without appropriate equipment.
So, What's the Difference?
Natural Diamond: Formed over years deep within the earth.
Lab-Grown Diamond: Created in a laboratory by humans in a much shorter period.
How are Lab-Grown Diamonds Graded?
Lab-grown diamonds are graded and evaluated just like natural diamonds based on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds?
Even a highly skilled gemologist sometimes cannot differentiate between the two without specialized equipment. Therefore, definitive identification is possible only through testing in a gemological laboratory.
Which One Should You Choose?
The primary distinguishing factor between the two is significantly lower pricing for lab-grown diamonds, which can be tens of percent less expensive compared to natural diamonds.
For example, if budget constraints are a concern and you want a larger diamond with higher specifications, a lab-grown diamond can provide the perfect solution. Sometimes, you can even purchase a higher quality lab-grown diamond in terms of color and clarity.
The secondary factor that typically influences the choice of lab-grown diamonds over natural ones is ethical or ecological reasons. The natural diamond industry can sometimes cause ecological damage due to extensive mining and deep excavations.
However, by law, "blood diamonds" originating from conflict zones or processes violating human rights cannot be used or traded.
What Should You Choose if It's an Investment?
If you're considering purchasing a diamond as an investment to preserve or potentially increase its value, experts often recommend buying a natural diamond, which is rarer. For instance, one that is very clean, has a unique color, or is exceptionally large.
There's no definitive answer because future prices of lab-grown and natural diamonds are unpredictable. Historical experience, however, suggests that natural diamonds have almost always maintained their value.