Why You Should Consider Lab-Created Diamond Engagement Rings
Written by Annabelle
May 19, 2020
Looking for the perfect sparkler as an engagement ring but not too sure about exorbitant costs? Consider lab-created diamonds as a cost-effective and ethical option. You may have heard about these diamonds with a bit of confusion or skepticism, but we can clear that up for you. Here’s why you should consider lab-created diamond engagement rings.
Lab-Created Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
There’s a lot of confusion in the market about exactly what lab-created diamonds are, thanks to some marketing mistakes and general perception. Most people think lab-created diamonds are “fake” because they’re often referred to as synthetic diamonds, and this term has been confused with simulant diamonds, which is used to describe stones that are not diamonds but look similar.
Lab-created diamonds are essentially the same in chemical and physical composition to natural diamonds. The only difference is how they’re made- while natural diamonds are shaped with pressure and heat thanks to Mother Nature, lab-created diamonds are made via scientific procedures that mimic the natural process.
So why should you pick lab-created diamonds over natural diamonds? Here’s a list of reasons why you should consider lab-created diamonds instead.
3 Reasons to Consider Lab-Created Diamond Engagement Rings
1. Quality
Not many people know this, but lab-created diamonds tend to be higher quality than natural ones. After all, natural diamonds are created randomly in nature, and most diamonds that are mined will have varying degrees of flaws and color issues. Lab-created diamonds are manufactured in a process that is supervised by the scientists, and they can control the production to minimize flaws and change color.
2. Affordability
Lab-created diamonds are usually 20-35% cheaper than a natural diamond. This means a lot, especially if you’re looking for a high quality diamond or a large diamond, as both of these criteria will significantly raise the price of the stone if it’s a natural diamond. Natural high-quality diamonds are rare, while lab-created diamonds are more easily produced and available, so the price difference between the two is merely due to availability.
A special note for colored diamonds; lab-created colored diamonds have much better clarity and saturation than natural colored diamonds. High-quality colored diamonds are exorbitantly expensive, and the more affordable colored diamonds are often pale and weak in color. Since the laboratory can control the creation process, lab-created colored diamonds are magnificent when it comes to display and usually exhibit a very strong look.
3. Social Responsibility
Natural diamonds are controversial for a few reasons. Historically, the diamond trade has been used to fuel conflict in many African countries, as the profits often directly go to militant groups in the area. In addition, these diamonds are often mined using slave or child labor. Finally, the mining process is extremely detrimental to the surrounding environment and directly contributes to soil erosion and deforestation. Even with the Kimberly process, this evaluation of ethical diamonds is not completely foolproof or transparent. True ethically-sourced diamonds, such as Canadian diamonds, are very expensive because of the socially responsible labor and mining methods they use.
Lab-created diamonds, on the other hand, have virtually no human rights issues affiliated with their creation. They have no ties to foreign conflicts and do not disturb the environment.
Now you’re up to date on why you should consider lab-created diamond engagement rings! Enjoy a stone that’s meaningful to you and conflict-free so you can support communities and protect the environment.