Some people ask what the difference between real diamonds and lab grown, but the reality is, chemically, physically, and aesthetically, there is not much in it.
Mined and lab grown diamonds share physical and identical chemical features, with the core differences being in the creation, ethical and environmental factors, as well as the price. Today, we are exploring whether you can tell if a diamond is mined or lab grown, and matching some of the important features of natural diamonds versus lab grown diamonds.
Key differences of lab-grown diamonds Vs Mined diamonds
4Cs
The objective qualities of diamonds, both lab made and earth created, are determined by their 4Cs, clarity, cut, carat and clarity. The 4Cs of diamonds are used to determine their standard by assessing an individual diamonds performance in the 4 distinct categories. Because earth created and lab made diamonds are optically and chemically the same, they can both the uniformly graded by their color, cut, carat, and clarity.
The geological institute of America (GIA) provides in-depth analysis of both natural and lab-grown diamonds, when you buy from shop at Rare Carat, permitting buyers to buy their preferred gem type with complete transparency of the stones standard. Diamond simultants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, do not come with GIA ratings.
High standard diamonds are accessible in both natural and lab made varieties, with a big range of GIA ratings at every one of the Cs. Just as there are big variations in diamond standard for natural diamonds, two lab made diamonds can have hugely different GIA ratings depending on their 4Cs.
Environmental impact
Lab grown diamonds avoid the big land disruption and ecological damage linked with mining. No big pits, no deforestation – just amazing diamond created with little carbon footprint.
Natural diamonds can lead to deforestation, extensive power use, and water pollution. The environmental cost of extraction is high, making lab-grown diamonds a more responsible and sustainable option.
Appearance
When matching the look of lab made and natural diamonds, mainly with the untrained or unaided eye, they are not any important differences to view. This is because lab made diamonds behave the same as natural diamonds, with the same refractive features and additional optics. In terms of jewelry, this means that both types of diamonds have sparkle, fire, brilliance, and other sought-after features that made them perfect for any wear.
In non-scientific terms, natural diamonds and lab-made diamonds both took the same because they are both diamonds with the same chemical structure. They are both leading options for bracelets, rings, 2 ct diamond ring, and other type of jewelry.
Cost
When picking the cost of lab diamonds Vs natural diamonds, rarity is the largest factor that creates prices differences between the two types of diamonds. Natural diamonds carry a top price tag than lab created diamonds due to their rarity value of these earth made gems or made diamond rings.
On the other hand, lab made diamonds can be produced at scale. This provides lab diamonds a much lower price tag than earth ones.
Natural diamonds price more than lab created diamonds, but they also hold a special value that impacts their resale price, providing them higher resale values than lab diamonds. Because lab created diamonds can be made in abundance, they are less costly and make bigger size diamonds more affordable.
Quality
Both types of diamonds can have little impurities, but with lab grown diamonds, these only happen of the impurities are already present in the natural seed diamond that the fresh diamond is grown from.
There are some arguments that advise that lab grown diamonds can even be better standard diamonds than natural diamonds, since they are made under controlled situations.
Certifications
Just like natural stones, lab grown diamonds should forever come with a professional grading report, to verify that they are real diamonds and to provide peace of mind that you have not gone home with a fake diamond.
These will be issued by a trusted body such as GIA or the IGI.
Why we pick lab grown diamonds every time
Aside from the difference in price, if you have any issues around the ethical or environmental of mined diamonds, then lab grown diamonds are the best sustainable choice for your unique piece of jewellery diamond engagement ring.