Over the past few years, lab-grown diamonds have entered the mainstream and are a feasible option when looking for an engagement ring.
The subject of lab-grown diamonds vs natural is a touchy subject. In recent years, there has been a lot of buzz about lab diamonds.
It is both favorable and unfavorable. People still view the concept with suspicion. A diamond that is professionally created in a laboratory is called artificial and may not fit your romantic ideals.
The concept of a natural diamond is appealing. It’s how people have done things for ages. Picking a natural diamond has an appealing desire and reliability.
The following are the distinctions between lab-grown diamonds vs natural. Read on to learn how to choose between the two options.
Lab-grown Diamonds vs Natural: The Differences
Natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds appear to be identical in appearance. They have the same firmness and longevity. Natural diamonds contain trace levels of nitrogen.
On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds don’t. This is one of the indicators gemologists use to determine lab-grown diamonds vs natural.
There are, however, some important distinctions that you should consider.
Value
There is a widening gap between lab-grown diamonds vs natural in terms of price and resale value. Lab-created diamonds are nearly hard to market without accepting cents on the dollar.
In contrast, natural diamonds maintain roughly 50% of their initial value. When you buy something, you lose a significant portion of its worth the instant you buy it.
Sustainability
Some people may be conscious of the environmental and moral consequences of natural diamond mining. That isn’t to argue that buying natural diamonds is always unethical.
However, it is reasonable to assume that man-made diamonds are more long-term sustainable than those mined from the soil.
Natural diamonds are formed over millions of years by the pressure of the earth’s crust. Then manufacturers mine, trim, and finish them.
A lab-grown diamond goes through the same conditions as a natural diamond, but in a controlled environment. The procedure for creating a lab-grown diamond reduces the time it takes to generate a diamond.
It goes from millions of years to just a few months.
Price
The price of lab diamonds is always fluctuating. Lab diamonds were 23-25 percent more expensive than genuine diamonds just a few years ago.
Lab diamonds are now substantially less expensive than real diamonds. They are between 50 and 60 percent less expensive. Sometimes even more in some circumstances.
Look
To the bare eyes, lab diamonds and mined diamonds look nearly identical. It’s almost probable that no one will notice if you buy a ring with a lab-created diamond except if you inform them.
They are available in many shapes and sizes. Also, it would be nearly impossible to distinguish between a lab diamond and a natural diamond if you had both in front of you.
They even have chemical compositions that are virtually identical.
Lab-grown diamonds vs natural: what should you buy?
It’s arduous to give a universal response to this topic because various buyers have different objectives.
Pros of buying a lab-grown diamond
Lab-grown diamonds cost 30-50 percent less than natural diamonds. This allows you to buy a much larger diamond while still being able to call it a diamond.
Natural diamonds have the same chemical and physical qualities as lab-grown diamonds. Therefore they will sparkle just as much.
Because there is no need for digging, some people believe lab-grown diamonds are more moral. A lab-grown diamond is a good option to acquire a more expensive natural diamond if you don’t care about the diamond’s resale cost.
Simply said, you’ll get more value for your money.
Cons of buying a lab-grown diamond
On the other hand, there is a unique factor in a natural diamond. There is a restricted quantity of natural diamonds.
So, they will generally keep their value better than lab-grown diamonds. The basic laws of demand and supply state that when demand rises, the value rises.
This is especially during restriction. Although grown diamonds can be formed, their value may not hold over time. This causes resale values to fall as the market becomes swamped.
A lab-generated diamond avoids the social and sustainability concerns associated with wild diamond mining. However, there are concerns about the long-term viability of lab-grown diamonds.
Due to the high heat necessary to make a diamond, an HPHT treated diamond requires a lot of energy. The CVD approach uses the same source of power as a month’s worth of electricity.
Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing between lab-grown diamonds vs natural, there is no definitive answer. It is totally up to you to make the decision.
The most common factor to consider while making a decision is your budget. Also, your significant other’s preferences and whether or not resale value is important to you.
