Lab-grown diamonds are exactly what they sound like: diamonds that have been grown in a laboratory. The process for growing these stones is similar to the method used to create synthetic rubies and emeralds. It involves placing the rough stone in an environment with specific heat and pressure conditions designed to encourage growth.
Lab-grown diamonds are typically less expensive than natural ones because they’re made from more abundant material. The cost of lab-grown diamonds varies depending on the size of the stone, but they generally cost between 25% and 50% less than mined diamonds.
One of the biggest benefits of lab-grown diamonds is that they’re environmentally friendly. Because they’re created in a laboratory, there’s no need for mining or drilling operations. This means fewer natural resources are used and less waste is generated by the process.
Natural Diamonds and Lab-Grown Diamonds
What is the difference between lab-grown diamonds vs natural? Lab-grown diamonds don’t have the same history or meaning as natural diamonds, but they are a great option for those who want to avoid blood diamonds or conflict diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab by a process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This process involves depositing carbon atoms on a seed crystal at temperatures of up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,649 degrees Celsius). The result is a diamond that looks and feels just like a natural diamond, but costs much less.
Natural diamonds are formed from heat and pressure deep inside the Earth’s mantle over millions of years. Lab-grown diamonds can be produced in just weeks.
Lab-grown diamonds also have different colors than their natural counterparts. They’re often yellowish or brownish because they contain nitrogen impurities, which give them their color rather than pure carbon like natural diamonds.
In addition to the ethical concerns that come with buying conflict-free diamonds, many people choose lab-grown stones because they’re more affordable than mined stones — especially when you consider how quickly they can be produced.
Conclusion
Lab-grown diamonds are a viable ethical alternative to mined diamonds. They’re also a good choice if you’re looking for an affordable stone, as they can be produced in just weeks and aren’t subject to the same supply issues as natural diamonds. Lab-grown stones have different colors than their natural counterparts, however, and some people prefer the look of natural diamonds over lab-grown ones.
