Humanity has always loved diamonds. The gems are rare, beautiful, and difficult to procure. Those simple facts have held firm throughout most of human history. But recent technological growth has changed how we relate to diamonds. For the first time, humanity can now artificially manufacture true diamonds.
The availability of lab-created diamonds has left many people with some important questions. And this is especially true for anyone considering a lab-created diamond for an engagement ring. If you’re thinking about doing so, make sure you know the following five facts about lab-created diamonds.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
One question about lab-grown diamonds comes up more than any other. People want to know if lab-grown diamonds are different than mined diamonds. In short, are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds? And the answer to that question is an indisputable yes. A diamond is defined by its molecular structure. The gems are formed when carbon atoms align in a particular and especially stable structure.
Both lab-grown and mined diamonds have that unique carbon structure. A lab-created diamond and a mined diamond are both true diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds look the same, stand up to time in the same way, are equally durable, and even mirror each other on a molecular level. They only differ in how they were created.
Why Buy a Lab-Created Diamond Engagement Ring?
You might wonder why people would buy a lab-created diamond if they’re the same as mined diamonds. There are some very compelling reasons to do so. One of the most significant reasons comes from quality. The purity of a diamond that forms in nature comes down to random chance.
The purest natural diamonds, type IIa, are incredibly rare. It’s estimated that only 2% of the diamonds found in nature are type IIa. But that level of quality can be created in the lab. It’s much easier to procure this especially stunning type of diamond for your engagement ring if you’re looking through lab-created specimens.
What’s more, lab-created diamonds avoid all of the issues related to diamond mining. Diamond mines are notoriously damaging to both the environment and human health. Areas around diamond mines typically see widescale destruction of the local plant and animal life. And the impact on local culture tends to be just as disruptive. Lab-created diamonds avoid all of those issues. They’re not just high-quality diamonds. They’re also cruelty-free.
What is the Pricing for a Lab-grown Diamond Engagement Ring?
There are a lot of reasons to buy lab created diamond engagement rings. But few things catch people’s attention like the price. When people look for an engagement ring they’ll usually shop around and compare the aesthetics and price of the various options. Part of this process often involves seeing two nearly identical pieces for radically different prices.
This usually comes down to one ring featuring a mined diamond and the other using a lab-grown diamond. The price difference between the two is often like night and day. In fact, lab-grown diamonds are usually somewhere between 40% and 50% less expensive than mined diamonds. You essentially get the exact same quality at half the normal price.
How to Care for Your Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring?
People often wonder whether they’ll need to take special precautions with their lab-grown diamond engagement ring. But it’s important to keep a prior point in mind. Lab-grown diamonds are exactly the same as mined diamonds in every respect other than the origin. This means that you don’t need to take any special precautions with a lab-grown diamond than you would with a diamond that was mined. As with a standard diamond ring, you’ll probably want to occasionally take it to a jeweler for steam cleaning.
Where do I Find a Lab-grown Diamond Engagement Ring?
People interested in lab-created diamonds often wonder where they can buy lab-created diamond engagement rings. And the answer is that they’re typically found in stores that offer a wide variety of diamond jewelry and other gems. Lab-grown diamonds are a fairly new addition to the industry as a whole. And this does mean that not every store will have the same selection. But lab-grown diamonds are constantly growing in popularity and they’re receiving an equivalent level of demand from stores.
Bottom Line
One of the most important points to remember is that lab-created diamonds are true diamonds. When you buy an engagement ring with a lab-created diamond you’re buying a beautiful investment that will stand as a testament to your love.
