Lab Grown Diamonds – What Are They?

ftc lab grown diamonds

Lab Grown Diamonds – What Are They?

The FTC has made some big changes to its Jewelry Guides that will make it easier for consumers to make informed diamond purchases. One of the most significant is removing the word natural from the diamond definition.

Previously, the commission said diamonds were “natural minerals consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system.” Now, it says they’re “created by the chemical and physical processes of nature.”

What is a Lab Grown Diamond?

A lab grown diamond is a diamond created in a laboratory rather than mined from the ground. They are created using the same process as natural diamonds, but in a more controlled environment, and they are often much less expensive than mined diamonds.

They are made in a high-pressure, high-temperature chamber (HPHT), which replicates the conditions that create diamonds deep in the earth. The chamber is filled with carbon-rich gases, including methane, which are then ionized into plasma using technology similar to that used in microwaves or lasers. The ionized carbon adheres to the diamond seed and slowly crystallizes into a diamond crystal.

Once the diamond is fully formed, it is then cut and polished like a natural stone. In addition, the diamond is engraved with the words “laboratory grown” on its girdle to make sure that consumers can distinguish between lab and natural diamonds without specialized equipment.

Unlike natural diamonds, which take millions of years to form in the earth’s crust, lab-grown diamonds can be made in just a few weeks. This means they are often more affordable than mined diamonds, and because they can be produced anywhere, there is no need to pay mining costs to get your ring to you.

Since they’re more affordable, lab-grown diamonds are becoming a popular option for young people who want a unique engagement ring with a lot of style. As the technology continues to improve, and as more jewelers become involved in lab-grown diamonds, they’re also gaining traction among high-end brands.

Many jewelers now offer lab-grown diamonds as a way to help make a more sustainable jewelry option. For instance, WD, which specializes in producing lab-grown diamonds, has received the first-ever global certification for a “Certified Sustainable” diamond.

When you buy a lab-grown diamond, it will be certified and graded by one of the world’s top gem laboratories. The grading lab will examine the diamond to ensure it meets “the four Cs” of natural diamonds — cut, clarity, color and carat.

The GIA and IGI both certify lab-grown diamonds, but the GIA is more respected than the IGI. The GIA is the only gem laboratory that can tell the difference between a natural diamond and a lab-grown one, so it’s important to purchase from an accredited GIA dealer or store.

How Do Lab Grown Diamonds Compare to Natural Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are often compared to natural diamonds and it is very important to understand the difference between the two. The main difference is that a lab diamond can be made in the laboratory whereas a natural diamond is extracted from the earth.

As a result of this, lab grown diamonds are usually much more expensive than their natural counterparts. The price of a lab-grown diamond is based on the 4Cs, but the market trends and other external factors will also play a role in determining its value.

One of the most obvious differences between the two is how they are shaped and cut. Natural diamonds are usually mined by a process called crystallization, while lab diamonds are grown in a laboratory using either the high pressure high temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method.

Another key difference is the way they are graded. Both lab-grown and naturally mined diamonds are graded by GIA, but the grading reports for lab-grown diamonds look very different to those for natural diamonds. For example, instead of using D-to-Z color grades, GIA lab grown diamond reports use broader categories like Colorless, Near-Colorless, Faint, Very Light and Light.

Lastly, a lab diamond will always have some flaws and inclusions in it. These will vary in size and type from one lab-grown diamond to another.

If you are unsure about the differences between a lab and natural diamond, you can contact your local jeweler to help you make an informed decision. They will be able to guide you through the process and find a stone that best suits your needs.

In addition, many couples opt for lab diamonds when they are concerned about the ethical impact of diamond mining. This can be because they don’t want their diamond to be mined in a conflict zone or because they want to avoid having the environment harmed.

As a result of this, a lot of people are choosing to buy lab grown diamonds as an alternative to natural diamonds for their engagement rings or wedding bands. They can save a lot of money on their purchase and they are still highly attractive and sparkly.

How Much Does a Lab Grown Diamond Cost?

The cost of a lab grown diamond depends on a few factors. One is the monetary value of the diamond, which varies depending on the gem’s grading and rarity. Another factor is the supply chain. Generally, lab grown diamonds are 50-70% less expensive than mined diamonds.

Clean Origin carries a variety of diamonds, in different cuts and settings, to suit any budget. The company also offers a free try-on service, so you can test out the stone before purchasing it.

Similarly, James Allen is a go-to for anyone looking for an excellent selection of high-quality lab grown diamonds at every price point. The jeweler also offers a virtual service for custom-made rings that lets you see a comprehensive, 360-degree view of your selection.

While the diamond industry has been struggling to find a sustainable solution to its problems, it’s still making major strides. Lab grown diamonds are now being promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to mined diamonds. They’re even considered a “climate neutral” option by some companies.

The process of creating a diamond in a laboratory takes place under controlled conditions using half the energy required by mined diamonds. It’s a very precise and scientific process, and the results are just as beautiful as natural diamonds.

In addition to being more environmentally friendly, lab diamonds are cheaper and more accessible to the average consumer. This makes them an attractive choice for Millennials and Gen Z, who are more interested in ethical and environmentally conscious choices than previous generations.

Moreover, if you’re concerned about buying a diamond that may have been mined in a conflict zone, a lab grown diamond is a safer choice. According to The Kimberley Process, which is put in place to keep conflict diamonds out of the supply, a lab grown diamond can be certified as being conflict-free.

A lab grown diamond can have a blue tint to it, which is caused by the mineral boron. This isn’t something to worry about, however, as the GIA will not list a diamond with this tint on its reports.

Generally, lab grown diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds, but it’s important to understand that a lab grown diamond will not have the same resale value as a natural diamond. This is due to the fact that natural diamonds have a higher rarity factor than lab grown ones.

What is the Resale Value of a Lab Grown Diamond?

The resale value of a lab grown diamond is one of the biggest questions on a buyer’s mind. They may be considering purchasing a lab grown diamond for their engagement ring or simply to have a beautiful, heirloom quality piece of jewelry in their collection that will last forever.

A lab diamond is a man-made diamond that is made in a laboratory using chemicals to grow a natural diamond seed crystal into a square shaped diamond. This process is called Chemical Vapor Deposition or CVD.

As a result, it is difficult to tell the difference between a lab diamond and a natural diamond with the naked eye. However, gemologists use a number of signs to distinguish the two.

For instance, natural diamonds contain tiny amounts of nitrogen, while a lab grown diamond does not. This is an important sign for gemologists because it indicates that the diamond was produced in a lab and does not have a natural origin.

There are several ways to know whether a diamond is lab grown or natural, but the best way to find out is to visit a reputable diamond grading laboratory. GIA and IGI are the most popular diamond grading laboratories, both of which have extensive certification systems for both natural and lab grown diamonds.

Both of these companies grade diamonds based on the “Four C’s” of diamond quality – carat, cut, clarity, and color. The higher the carat, cut, and clarity of a diamond, the more expensive it will be.

Moreover, the larger and higher quality the stone is, the more likely it will hold its value. This is especially true if the diamond is certified as a high-quality diamond by an expert grading lab.

Another way to ensure the resale value of a diamond is to purchase an insurance policy for it. If the ring becomes damaged or stolen, the insurance company will cover the replacement cost of the diamond. This can be very useful for a lab diamond, as the insurance is less than buying a replacement natural diamond.

The resale value of ftc lab grown diamonds can vary depending on the market and conditions at the time. However, it is very possible to resell a lab grown diamond for more than you paid for it, and even better than many mined diamonds.

Lab Grown Diamonds – What Are They?