People have always loved diamonds for their sparkle, scarcity, and meaning. And now that new tech has made, lab-grown diamonds another choice besides earth diamonds, people are now talking and wondering about how these two kinds of diamonds are alike and different. This blog will look into how lab grown diamonds compare to mined ones. We'll give you all the details you need if you're thinking of buying diamond jewellery or just love them and them and thirsty for knowledge.
1. Origin and Make
1. Mined Diamonds:
Earth diamonds form way down in the Earth's mantle. They need a lot of heat and pressure to grow. This can take a long time, like a few billion years, and makes them into hard shiny carbon crystals. Volcanoes push these diamonds up near where we can dig them up. Most people ignore the various disadvantages of the mining process by failing to embrace an alternative.
2. Lab-Made Diamonds:
Technicians make lab made diamonds, or synthetic or cultured diamonds, in labs using high-tech methods. The two main techniques are High Pressure High Temperature (HPHP) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). These processes mimic how natural diamonds develop but do it much faster in a few weeks or months. Due to the environmental advantages, lab diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, with many opting to buy lab grown diamonds as a perfect alternative to mined diamonds.
Also Read:- What are lab grown diamonds, know everything about in detail?
2. Physical and Chemical Compositions
Carbon atoms form to make diamonds in a crystal structure. This design makes their physical and chemical features the same. The hardness of lab grown diamonds matches natural diamonds at 10 on the Mohs scale, and they share the same brilliance and ability to conduct heat.
Key Similarities:
- Toughness: Both forms are super tough and last long.
- Look: You can't tell lab made diamonds India or anywhere else in the world and natural diamonds apart with your eyes.
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Carbon Makeup: Both are made of just carbon.
3. Visual Differences
To naked eyes, telling lab created diamonds apart from real ones is super hard. But experts have special tools to spot small differences.
Material Inside and Scratches:
- Real diamonds often have cool marks and scratches inside them because it took a long time for them to form.
- Lab diamonds might have different marks and ways they grew because they're made by machine.
Glow:
- Real diamonds might glow under a black light.
- The man-made diamonds can glow too, but it looks different.
4. Environment and people conscious
A big plus for diamonds made in labs is they're kinder to both folks and Earth than mined diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are considered eco-friendly and environmentally responsible alternatives.
Mined Diamonds:
- Digging up real diamonds from the Earth can mess up nature big time, like ruining animal homes and causing dirt to wash away.
- People also worry about how miners are treated and if the sale of diamonds is paying for wars through issues like blood diamonds.
Lab-grown Diamonds:
- Making diamonds in a lab usually hurts nature far lesser.
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People often think these diamonds are the right choice because mining doesn't happen, and labs follow strict rules. Lab grown diamonds are conflict-free and represent ethical luxury.
5. Costs of Buying and Selling
Mined Diamonds:
- Their rarity and how long it takes them to form make real diamonds cost more.
- They're well-known in trade and seen as classic and fancy.
Lab-grown Diamonds:
- Lab grown diamonds price is 20-40% less than real diamonds that are the same in quality. 1 carat lab grown diamond price in India is significantly lower compared to natural diamonds.
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Their controlled making process and less want from buyers make their cost lower. This cost makes Lab grown diamonds an affordable luxury option.
Also Read:- What Are The Advantages Of Lab Grown Diamonds?
6. Diamonds as Investments
Mined Diamonds:
- For a while, people saw mined diamonds as a way to invest money and show riches.
- Over time they keep their price, which is why people buy them to save for the future.
Lab-grown Diamonds:
The market for selling second-hand lab grown diamonds is still growing. These diamonds might not keep their value as much as real diamonds because there are more of them and new technology might make them cheaper to produce.
7. What Consumers Like and What's Popular
What buyers want is changing because they know more about what's right and what's good for the planet. Many are choosing to buy jewellery online with a growing preference for lab grown diamonds and other sustainable jewellery products and designs.
Mined Diamonds:
- Lots of buyers still pick mined diamonds because they have been important for a long time and seem more to have the reputation of ‘real’ or ‘authentic’.
- People pick them for big occasion like proposals and marriage as PR campaigns have influenced them as the number one choice for those who are rich.
Diamonds Made in Labs:
- More young people like these because they care about the planet and want to do what's right. They are bold enough to question the status quo and challenge outdated ideologies.
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These diamonds are less costly but are as good and look great. Companies QuebyM online jewellery store offer a whole range of lab grown diamond jewellery that are both beautiful and affordable, catering to the affordable luxury segment.
8. Certification and Verification
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds can be certified jewellery by reputable gemological institutes such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Certification provides information on the diamond's characteristics, including the 4Cs of diamonds (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight).
Mined Diamonds:
- Certified by traditional gemological laboratories.
- Certificates include information about the diamond's natural origin.
Lab-Grown Diamonds:
- Also certified by major gemological laboratories. SGL certified lab-grown diamonds are becoming more common.
- Certificates explicitly state that the diamond is lab-grown.
9. Personal Choice
Choosing between lab grown diamond jewellery and natural diamonds is a personal decision. It depends on what you value more: the traditional allure and rarity of natural diamonds or the modern, sustainable, and often more affordable option of lab-grown diamonds. Both have their unique appeal and benefits.
Mined Diamonds:
- They have a long history and are often seen as more prestigious.
- Many people prefer them for their natural origin and the story behind their formation.
Lab-Grown Diamonds:
- They are a modern alternative that appeals to those who are environmentally conscious.
- They offer the same beauty and durability as natural diamonds but at a lower cost, with an excellent balance of quality and affordability.
Conclusion
In the end, whether you choose a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond, you are getting a beautiful, durable gemstone that will last a lifetime. The choice comes down to your personal preferences, values, and budget. Both options have their own unique advantages, and either can make a stunning addition to your diamond jewellery collection, whether it's engagement rings, diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond chains, diamond bangles, diamond bracelets, diamond pendants.
Have a look at our stunning collection of lab grown diamond jewellery at the Quebym jewellery store.