In recent years there has been a massive societal shift to focus on going organic. From food and groceries to clothing and even utensils or tools. Organic just sounds better. However, it might surprise you to learn that organic doesn’t always actually mean better. This could be the case when it comes to mined diamonds when compared to lab-grown diamonds, although it depends on the perspective you take on. The diamond-industry is a historic one that is actually quite captivating and intriguing.
Fast-forward a few 100 years or so, and we arrive at today’s technology, which allows us to produce diamonds in the environment of a lab. Here’s everything you need to know about lab-grown diamonds.
What Is a Lab Grown Diamond
A lab-grown diamond is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a diamond gemstone that is man-made and produced in a lab. By producing diamonds in the environment of a lab, we are able to greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the diamond-industry overall. The supply of mined diamonds available on the market is reliant on the existence of diamond mining. However, the diamond mining process is extremely taxing on the planet and the health of the environment.
This is one of the many reasons that lab-grown diamonds have been gaining so much popularity among consumers and celebrities alike. VRAI lab-grown diamonds, for instance, sustainably create their diamonds in their zero-emission foundry utilizing renewable energy. This makes them an extremely sustainable diamond retailer that caters to the core values of the modern day consumer.
When considering lab grown diamonds or organic diamonds though, the inevitable question about their differences chemically, structurally, and aesthetically always surface. This may be one of the most surprising facts of all when it comes to lab-grown diamonds, because structurally and aesthetically, they’re nearly identical to organic diamonds.
The differences that do manifest between an organic and lab-grown diamond are only noticeable by professionally trained gemologists who have equipment specifically designed for this purpose. As such there are virtually no noticeable differences between organic and lab-grown diamonds. In fact, they’re even grown in the same exact way. Both begin their journey as a lump of carbon atoms that form under intense heat and extreme pressure. Eventually, they bond through the formation of a lattice structure, and continue to grow into fully matured diamonds from there.
The Price Difference Between Organic Diamonds and Lab Grown
One of the first things you’re likely to notice about lab-grown diamonds is that they come at a much more affordable price than their organic siblings. This goes back to the idea of supply and demand that was discussed a bit earlier. Because lab-grown diamonds are more readily available to the marketplace than organic diamonds are, they can be priced significantly lower.
That being said, the demand for lab-grown diamonds is still relatively high, which means you’re still paying drastically more for your diamond jewelry than you are, say, your cup of coffee.
That being said, it can still be a much softer blow to your budget when you opt for a lab-grown diamond.
The Environmental Factor
This was already touched on, but a big reason that lab-grown diamonds have the appeal in the marketplace that they do is because of the generational shift to be more environmentally-friendly. The consumer trend focused on prioritizing environmental sustainability in every aspect of life has created a perfect market-segment for the lab-grown diamond product.
Jewelers who are able to create a net carbon-zero operation through the production of lab-grown diamonds will find themselves gaining the favor of both modern and future consumers alike.
A Wide Variety of Selections
It’s also important to note that there is just as much variety represented by the lab-grown diamond market as there is in the organic-diamond market. This applies to shape, color, quality, and every other element that factors into the value of a gemstone.
Opting for a lab-grown diamond won’t limit your options in any way.
Final Thoughts on Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds by VRAI and other jewelers have gained the favor of consumers and celebrities alike. As such, they have been continually catching the eye and attention of the media. Soon enough, lab-grown diamonds will likely be the gemstone of choice among all levels of consumers.