Lab grown diamonds have soared in popularity as an alternative to natural diamonds that cost a lot less in comparison.
They give you more designs, settings and stone options, and they’re no longer seen as a limited alternative that is scarce to find.
What Even Is A Lab Grown Diamond?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, but they’re created in a controlled lab environment, instead of being mined from the ground.
You get the same carbon crystal structure, which is formed through an a advanced diamond formation process, which replicates natural heat and pressure.
The usual diamond clarity grading standards apply just like natural diamonds, and there are ethical sourcing benefits, as the production avoids many issues tied to the mining practices.
With lab grown diamonds, you’re not buying a substitute diamond – it’s a genuine diamond with the same clarity, origin control and verified grading, so you know what you’re buying, so you get confidence you’re buying a high quality diamond.
Why Lab Grown Diamonds Can Be More Affordable
As lab grown diamonds are grown in controlled settings, you can avoid many of the costs that come from traditional diamond mining, like the extensive labor, land excavation and global supply chain markups.
Shifting market trends also help to keep prices competitive, as technology improves and the output scales, without dramatic overhead increases.
Lab grown diamonds are usually more affordable as they’re cheaper to source, and you don’t have the complex ethical considerations when the diamonds are being sourced.
This allows you to choose a larger or higher-quality lab grown diamond, while staying within budget.
How Lab Grown Diamonds Compare To Mined Diamonds
While both types of diamond originate from different environments, both lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds share the same physical, chemical and optical properties, so you won’t be able to see a visible difference between the two with the naked eye.
The ethical benefits appeal to many, as the lab grown stones avoid concerns connected to diamond mining practices, and they have a lower environmental impact too.
Some people wrongly assume that lab grown diamonds are fake or inferior or natural diamonds, but that is incorrect, as lab grown diamonds are real diamonds with identical durability and brilliance.
You get the same sparkle either way, but you’ll save a lot of money when choosing a beautiful lab grown diamond over a natural diamond.
How To Choose The Right Lab Grown Diamond Ring
Compare the diamond shapes to see how the shape affects both the sparkle and the size perception. Check clarity grades as well as color, so you can avoid paying for imperfections you can’t see.
For your lab grown diamond, consider the different setting options; solitaire, halo or vintage, so it matches your lifestyle and protects the stone.
You can try on rings in a jewelry shop that specializes in lab grown diamonds, or you can buy lab grown diamonds online, and use their virtual tools, allowing you to virtually try the ring on, to see what the proportions are like before you commit.
Always pay attention to the ring’s band metal, ring width and durability, as the daily wear truly matters.
Regardless of whether you’re buying online or in-store, consider their resizing policies and warranties, to give you peace of mind.
When you’ve decided on your diamond’s shape, quality, setting and metal, compare prices across multiple retailers, to ensure you get the best price possible. Although, if you can, prioritize customer service and warranties over minor savings, so you’re buying the best quality diamond and ring as possible.
