What are lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are also known as lab created diamonds, cultured Diamonds or man-made diamonds. These diamonds that are grown in a laboratory and mimic the way that natural diamonds are formed below the earth’s surface. Once the process is finished, the stones are then cut and polished using the same process as mined diamonds. These diamonds also have one-of-a-kind inclusions and are individually unique, just like mined diamonds.
Unlike cheap diamonds simulants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, lab grown have the exact same scintillation, flash, fire and brilliance as mined diamonds. The only significant difference between mined diamonds and lab grown is the origin of the diamonds. Even the most experienced gemmologists cannot tell the difference between lab grown and mined diamonds.
Benefits of lab grown
Less expensive. Just because the selling price of laboratory grown diamonds is less than mined diamonds, it does not make them “cheap”. Mined diamonds and lab created diamonds have the exact same costs when it comes to cutting, polishing + inspection. The difference is that mined diamonds go through many hands in the supply chain with each one putting a small mark up. The lab grown on the other hand touch fewer hands, ultimately making it less expensive.
*Buyers beware: “Diamond simulants” are not diamonds. When hearing the words ‘diamond simulants’ many people believe they are lab grown diamonds. They are not. Some websites sell ‘diamond simulants’ made from zirconium oxide, this is what cubic zirconia is made from. *
Ethical. As lab created diamonds are grown in a laboratory, there is no chance the diamond could be a “conflict” diamond or a “blood” diamond. With mined diamonds, it is at times hard to determine the origin and so even though extreme measures are taken by governments and companies all around the world. Consequently, there is a slight possibility it may be a conflict diamond.
Mined Diamonds
Eco friendly. Earth mined diamonds involve a lot of digging, machinery that causes pollution, and the destruction of the environment. However, lab created are inherently and significantly less detrimental to the environment. Thats because it takes considerably less energy to grow a diamond than it does to dig it out of the ground. It is actually in the interest of lab diamond growers to minimise the amount of energy they use in order to save money and decrease their costs.
Diamond is a special form of crystallised carbon that can form inside of Earth, on other planets, and in a laboratory. Just like ice from a freezer is as real as ice in the form of hail that falls from the sky. A diamond is a diamond regardless of whether it was mined from the ground or created in a lab.
How are lab diamonds certified and graded?
Lab created diamonds are graded and certified using the same process as mined diamonds. Diamonds are sent to a diamond laboratory where it gets evaluated using the 4 C’s. Colour, cut, clarity and carat. This process is designed to provide each diamond with an unbiased grade.
Each diamonds is certified and laser inscribed with their unique gemmological ID and stating that it has been lab grown.
Just like with mined diamond, we have access to the lab grown database full of thousands and thousands of laboratory grown diamonds. As Perth’s leading suppliers in lab grown diamonds, we can source the perfect lab grown gem for you. Also at the perfect price to suit your budget.