Is a diamond produced in a lab still really a diamond? The answer to that question, luckily, is very straightforward: yes. Diamonds are essentially just the proper combination of carbon, heat, and pressure. Regardless of whether they were formed underground over a billion years ago or created less than a week ago, lab grown diamonds are identical to their naturally occurring counterparts. If you look under a microscope at a diamond, you’ll be unable to distinguish whether or not it originated in a lab. And because the process is highly regulated in a lab setting, lab diamonds contain fewer flaws overall.
There are several reasons lab grown diamonds appeal to Millennials and Gen Z, making these two generations the most likely to purchase lab diamonds. For one, they're up to one-third less expensive than natural diamonds — and sometimes even less — making lab diamonds much more affordable. With the recent trend towards large diamonds, buyers don't have to compromise on quality for size and vice versa. Younger buyers are also more likely to be concerned with the environment and favor sustainably sourced diamonds. Created diamonds aren't the only sustainable option, but it is much easier to guarantee their low environmental impact and find them in a variety of styles.
Regardless of whether you use the term lab-grown diamond, engineered diamond, cultured diamond, man-made diamond, or lab-created diamond, these created diamonds are still optically and chemically identical to natural diamonds. The terms synthetic and artificial are misnomers, because lab diamonds are not fake in terms of structure or composition. Man-made stones are just as durable as natural ones and contain the same elements. Created diamonds are equal if not superior to natural stones; growing in a lab gives scientists and gemologists time to perfect their process to exclude flaws and increase clarity. The next time someone says “artificial diamond” you can be confident in knowing there is no such thing.
Not only are created diamonds available in brilliant crystal clear, they're also much easier to find in a variety of colors, ranging from a soft powder blue to a millennial pink and even shades of bright yellow. Colored diamonds are much rarer in nature, making them difficult to come by and therefore far more expensive. In the past, sapphires frequently substituted for the elusive and pricey pink and yellow diamonds, but now there's no need to choose between the color you desire and the durability of your jewelry. Lab grown diamonds in yellows, pinks, blues, and even occasionally oranges can light up your jewelry collection like never before.
The next time you’re in the market for a new piece of diamond jewelry, stop by Ware's Jewelers in the Bayshore Gardens area and ask about our selection of lab grown diamonds. From rings to earrings, pendants, bracelets, and everything in between, we have an exquisite collection of pieces featuring created diamonds that are sure to please you, your wallet, and the environment.
