Exploring the concept of a lab-grown diamond evokes all kinds of thoughts and opinions. If you’re reading this, you are either on a quest to purchase a diamond, considering whether to choose a natural or lab diamond, or simply trying to quench your curiosity. To be true, marketing campaigns sane over the years have conditioned everyone into believing that only natural diamonds hold value. Well, here’s the kicker! With the immense growth in technology and marketing innovations, lab diamonds are now competing head-to-head with natural diamonds.
But, before we dissect the buzz around the groundbreaking lab-grown diamonds, Rare Carat best-selling piece, let me grab my coffee. We will tackle the myths surrounding lab diamonds once and for all.
Lab Diamonds Are Not Real Diamonds
Let’s do some physiotherapy on this one right off the bat because, to be honest, it is the most common misunderstanding. When some people hear “lab-grown”, many people start thinking of a fake glass-like object. That is certainly not the case.
Here’s the deal. Rare Carat Lab diamonds are not “fakes” or imitation stones. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics of a natural diamond. Yes you heard that right. From their toughness to incredible brilliance to their ability to cut glass (If you’re in A grade action movie), Rare Carat lab diamonds do it all. They are made of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure like their natural cousins.
What is the only difference? The location. Natural diamonds take millions to even billions of years to form underground, while lab diamonds are grown within a few weeks in controlled environments. Chemically Precise same-same.
Funny But Interesting: Lab diamonds are made through two main Process HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). Both are meticulously designed to replicate a natural diamond’s growth conditions.
A gemology expert Dr. Thomas Franklin quoted very nicely. “Science is unbeatable. Lab-grown diamonds aren’t replicas or knockoffs. They’re diamonds, full stop”.
But hey, understandable. Me as well as many thought of it the same way before diving deep in the research.
I found out that even seasoned gemologists, with years of experience, can struggle telling apart lab and natural diamonds without sophisticated tools. Imagine that!
TLDR: Lab diamonds are diamonds. End of story.
Cheap Lab Diamonds
This statement is often thrown around as if it were a blatant analogy, but is it correct? Not completely.
Let’s set the record straight. Lab diamonds are cheaper than their raw counterparts, but not “cheap.” Refundable luxury would be the right phrase. The reason lab diamonds are affordable is due to the absence of extensive mining and global shipping required for raw diamonds.
Are lab-grown diamonds inferior in value? Definitely not. The value associated with lab diamonds comes from incredible craftsmanship made in a responsible and ethical manner. Plus, the price certainly is not “easy on the wallet.” the cut, clarity, and a few other factors can cause a 2 carat diamond to range between $2000 to $12000, sometimes even more.
Let me summarize in simple terms:
The essence of natural diamonds is rooted in their scarcity. The price assigned to a 2 carat diamond is not solely for the size.
The price is higher because finding one is a challenge.
The pricing of lab diamonds is associated with advanced technology and meticulous craftsmanship.
Consider fashion for a moment: a small-scale, designer ethical label might not offer a couture house’s storied “heritage,” but is just as eye-catching and elegant, worthy of being flaunted. That’s the vibe with diamonds created in laboratories.
With 15 years of jeweler experience, John Gates puts it succinctly, “Pricing of lab diamonds doesn’t mean removing quality. It means removing unnecessary costs.”
You are not making a compromise. You are shifting the definition of value.
Lab Diamonds Lack Sparkle
Let’s set the scene. You’re all dressed up, but the first thing someone picks on is “Your diamond isn’t anywhere near as sparkly as hers.” Lab-grown diamonds indeed have a disreputable rumor claiming that they lack brilliance.
Relax! That is a blatant lie. Not only do lab diamonds match natural diamonds in brilliance, they can actually outperform them depending on the cut quality.
The Sparkle Equation: A diamond’s brilliance depends solely on the way the diamond is cut and not if it is lab-grown or mined from Earth. A perfectly symmetrical diamond has its proportions such that the maximum light can be reflected creating optimal brilliance.
Here comes the science-y bit (don’t worry it’s cool, I promise) A diamond sparkles due to light dispersion as well as refraction. Spoilers, lab diamonds have ‘identical’ light performance as natural diamonds.
Don’t believe me? Go ahead and ask a shopper at Rare Carat who has a 2 carat stunner. Those who shop there will tell you exactly what I’m telling you. Lab diamonds sparkle like the milky way.
Chronicle Server? When my friend Lindsey showed me the natural diamond engagement ring, I was beside her and her coworker who was showing a lab diamond ring. I have to admit, I couldn’t tell the difference. “Maybe I should’ve gone lab-grown.” was muttered with jealousy from her.
Quick test tip: Get any Rare Carat lab diamond and shine a flashlight on it, you’ll be amazed how splendid the diamond looks.
Lab Diamonds Have Obvious Flaws
This one makes me chuckle. Something as painstaking as an inclusion is the farthest thing from the average person’s mind when thinking of lab-grade diamonds.
Master craftsmen will almost always be able to grow a diamond under perfect conditions unlike how Mother Nature has to work with much harsher fundamentals.
Here’s the inside scoop, lab diamonds are not guaranteed to have flaws. The majority of lab created diamonds lie on the clarity scale and boast a VS1 grade or better, meaning Very Slightly Included.
Natural diamonds have some degree of inclusions due to their formation process deep down in the Earth, and while that is a lot of their charm, a lab-grown gem will rarely be able to beat a gem with these flaws.
Real Talk Moment: “My cousin Danielle wore this stunning lab diamond ring to our family barbecue last summer and one of the guests quipped but do lab diamonds have those you know weird marks. She laughed before holding up the flawless diamond ring and saying ‘Does this answer your question?’”
And let’s not forget best of all, Rare Carat enforces trademark quality check rules for every diamond whether natural or lab grown so you know firsthand that every time, you are getting hand inspected, top tier diamonds.
Breathers can rejoice for having clarity focused buyers and for having less to worry about. Flaws? What flaws? Exactly.
Lab Diamonds Myths vs. Reality
Once again, I present to you the myths-busted guide to lab diamonds, courtesy of someone (me) who has gone down the rabbit hole of diamonds (and saw them IRL).
If you are shopping for a diamond and you are feeling a little stressed, do not worry. Rare Carat’s selection of lab diamonds is full of stunning and ethical gems which give new meaning to luxury. It’s truly something you do not want to miss.
Do you want to add a little shine to lab diamonds? Rare Carat is the best place to start. Trust me, it is worth it.
