ENGAGEMENT RING

Top 6 Reasons to Choose a Lab Created Diamond Engagement Ring

Bride holding grooms hand

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Lab created diamonds are growing in popularity for engagement rings as more couples begin to appreciate the beauty and value of these diamonds. For ethical shoppers, lab diamonds offer an excellent alternative to mined ones without having to compromise on beauty or durability.

Here are 6 reasons to choose a lab created diamond engagement ring.

Reasons of Buying Lab Created Diamond

1- They Are Diamonds

Round shape diamond

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There’s a lot of misconception when it comes to lab created diamonds and many people still confuse these diamonds with simulants like cubic zirconia. The thing is, lab created diamonds are actual diamonds. They’re made of the same stuff – carbon atoms arranged in a specific cubic crystal structure, characteristic of natural diamonds. The only difference is that they’re grown in controlled conditions using state of the art science and technology, whereas mined diamonds are formed over millions of years through processes involving natural heat and pressure. Optically and chemically, lab grown diamonds are identical to mined ones. If you’ve always wanted a diamond engagement ring, then there’s no reason not to get a lab grown one.

2- Conflict Free with A Traceable Origin

Unlike mined diamonds, you can trace your lab created diamond to the source of its origin, to make sure that it’s sustainable and ethical. You’ll know for sure that your diamond wasn’t used to fund wars, conflict or wasn’t connected in any way with dubious and unethical labor practices, including child labor and exploitation.  Lab diamonds are grown in modern facilities with employees who are well-compensated for their work and are not connected in any way to the often-dodgy mined diamond industry.

3- Environmentally Sustainable

In addition to being ethical, lab grown diamonds are also environmentally friendly. The resources required to grow a batch of lab diamonds is only a fraction of what’s required to dig out diamonds from the earth. Tons of earth doesn’t have to be displaced, ecosystems aren’t destroyed and harmful chemicals like sulphur or nitrous oxide aren’t emitted.  Lab diamonds are responsibly sourced giving conscious consumers peace of mind that their engagement ring isn’t costing the earth.

4- Better Value

Lab grown diamonds are considerably less expensive than mined diamonds, sometimes as much as 50 percent. Compare this 1.01 carat VVS2 Very Good cut earth mined diamond with this similar 1.05 lab created diamond. The lab diamond looks much nicer than the earth mined one and yet is about half the price of.  With lab diamonds, you’ll be getting a real diamond at a much better price than earth mined ones. If you’re looking for a colored diamond, you can have even more significant savings, as natural colored diamonds tend to be extremely expensive.

Most people are surprised to find that lab grown diamonds aren’t as cheap as cubic zirconia, but the reality is that these two are not the same. It takes a time consuming and labor-intensive process to create lab diamonds.

5- They Come with Certification and Grading

Just like mined diamonds, lab diamonds are also graded and given a certificate which identifies their characteristics and evaluates the quality of the stone. The major diamond grading labs like the GIA, AGS and IGI all provide certification for lab diamonds.

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This recognition by the top diamond certifying labs is proof that lab grown diamonds have earned the respect of the diamond industry. Even top retailers like De Beers and James Allen now offer lab diamonds on their sites.

6- Scientific Marvel

The famous inventor Thomas Edison once wrote in a letter: There are two things which couldn’t be made at my lab – diamonds and pearls. But today, both these have been cultured. Lab created diamonds are a scientific marvel, utilising the power of technology to mimic the conditions found beneath the earth’s crust, with intense pressure and heat. For science lovers, lab created diamonds offer an extra layer of value as a reminder of human scientific achievement.

Some Cons to Consider

Titanium ring worn by bride and groom

Unfortunately, although lab grown diamonds have so many benefits, there are some cons to consider. These include:

  1. Lab grown diamonds don’t have the individuality that earth mined ones do, because the conditions for all the lab grown stones are the same. Mined diamonds have inclusions and flaws not often found in lab diamonds. Because lab diamonds are mass-produced, some may feel that they lose what makes them special.
  2. People may confuse lab diamonds with cheap diamond simulants like cubic zirconia, not understanding that they’re the same as natural diamonds chemically and optically. True, you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone and this could be a good learning curve for everyone involved, but if what others think bothers you, a lab created diamond might not be for you.
  3. In terms of the economic impact, lab created diamonds are currently grown in advanced economies, which means that they take jobs away from developing countries where diamonds are mined, like Botswana, Namibia, Brazil and India. For those working in the diamond industry, this might be their only source of income.
  4. For most people, the magic of diamonds lies in its rich and long history, as stones that have lived through major changes on the earth. There’s something awe-inspiring about the idea of a lump of carbon being heated and pressured over millions of years, then found by accident, cut, polished and set to end up on a ring on your finger. This sense of awe is not really present in lab-created diamonds.

Should I Choose a Lab Grown Diamond?

Whether you choose a lab grown diamond really comes down to what you want your ring to represent and what you value. For some, the clean and ethical nature of a lab grown diamond that’s also more affordable makes up for the lost ‘magic’ of a diamond.

For others, nothing but a mined diamond will do because they subscribe to the individuality and societal views on diamonds.

By examining what’s important to you and what you want your ring to stand for, you’ll be able to make your choice. And there is no right or wrong answer.

If you’re looking for a lab grown diamond, pick your retailer wisely as it’s important to find a retailer that’ll stand by their products and offer the best quality and customer service. We recommend starting your search at James Allen who are currently one of the few top retailers offering a wide collection of lab grown diamonds.