LAB GROWN DIAMONDS VS NATURAL DIAMONDS
What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond IS a diamond. It begins by taking a piece of diamond seed and/or dust and putting it under extreme heat and pressure in a controlled environment. From start to finish, this process takes approximately 30 days (depending upon the manufacturer and/or type of growth)
Lab grown diamonds are chemically the same as a natural diamond; and have the same hardness and durability as a natural diamond. The only difference is where the diamond originates; above ground, or underground. They even have the same fire and sparkle as a natural diamond.
As of 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (or FTC) considers BOTH lab grown and natural diamonds to be real diamonds! The naked eye cannot tell the difference between a lab grown diamond and a natural diamond. The only way to be certain a diamond is either lab grown or natural, is with a lab grown testing machine.
What are the Pros and Cons?
The pros for a lab grown are
-Bigger, nicer, for the same budget
-Look the SAME as a natural but are a fraction of the cost
-Lab grown diamonds are eco-friendly (keep in mind it still takes a lot of energy to make labs)
The cons for a lab grown are
-Resale (or aftermarket) is uncertain, so if trading up or reselling is important, we recommend sticking with natural.
What About Grading Lab Growns?
Both natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds are eligible for certification of authenticity. Certification is done via GIA (Gemological Institute of America), IGI (International Gemological Institute), GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab), and more. A lot of lab grown diamonds will have an IGI certificate of authenticity simply because that certification company started grading labs sooner. Why does a certification matter? Because it is an official document done by reputable diamond grading companies to ensure that the diamond is real, falls in compliance of the rules set in the industry, and gives you peace of mind about what you as a consumer are investing your money in.
Lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are both graded using the 4 C’s – Carat, Cut, Color, Clarity. Both are graded using the same scale for quality as well.