Factors That Affect the Price of a Man-Made Diamond

If you are a consumer, you have probably come across man-made diamonds, also known as cultured, synthetic or artisan diamonds. The interchangeable language can be confusing, but each denotes a certified diamond that has been “grown” in a lab through a process that mimics the way natural diamonds are formed in the earth.

1. Size

Lab grown diamonds are created using a precise scientific process, replicating natural diamond mining conditions. Compared to mined diamonds, they are more affordable, but they do not sacrifice quality or brilliance.

The size of your diamond is an important consideration if you are choosing a lab grown diamond. You should consider a larger or smaller stone depending on the look you are going for.

As with all gemstones, the size of your diamond will influence its value. Larger stones will be more expensive than smaller ones.

However, if you choose a smaller stone, you can save money on the overall cost of the diamond. This is especially true for larger diamonds.

There are two major ways to create a lab grown diamond: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high-pressure/high temperature (HPHT). Both processes allow for more control over the diamond’s production than the methods used in natural mining, so synthetics will often have more uniform sizes than their natural counterparts.

These methods also tend to produce less inclusions and flaws than the processes used in natural diamond mining. Inclusions and cracks can occur in both types of diamonds, but most are so small that they cannot be seen without magnification.

Despite the differences in color, clarity and carat weight, lab diamonds are typically graded on the same scale as natural diamonds. Most lab diamonds will be graded between D and F.

Although lab diamonds are not as rare as natural ones, they are still highly desired by many couples. It is a good idea to shop around and compare the prices of different lab diamonds to determine which ones are most affordable for your budget.

The value of a lab grown diamond will be determined by many factors, including the method in which the diamond is created and the grading report from the laboratory. The most significant factor is the carat weight.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, you should opt for a diamond with a low carat weight and high clarity. This will give you a diamond that will sparkle brighter and be more valuable than a larger stone.

2. Shape

The shape of a lab grown diamond is important because it can affect its price, appearance and visual performance. The most common shape is round, but it is not the only option available. There are also fancy shapes such as heart, pear and trillion-shaped stones.

Like naturally mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds are created in controlled conditions using advanced technology — either chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT). Crystallization occurs quickly and efficiently as the carbon seed is slowly turned into a solid. Once it’s cooled and formed, the diamond is polished to maximize its light reflection and brilliance.

When you purchase a lab grown diamond, it will be graded on the 4C’s (cut, carat, clarity and color) just as any natural diamond would be. Each of these is an essential factor in determining the quality of a diamond, and should be considered when purchasing a lab grown stone.

A well-cut lab grown diamond will reflect the most light and look wider than an uncut diamond. It will also be more durable and easier to clean than a less-cut diamond.

Depending on the cut, a lab grown diamond can be as stunning or even more beautiful than a natural diamond. A round cut diamond is the most popular and most versatile, but there are many other shapes to choose from including marquise, pear and emerald cuts.

Each of these has unique characteristics and can make a great choice for different types of jewelry. For example, an emerald cut diamond has a lot of facets and is ideal for solitaire pieces, while a marquise cut has pointed ends and is great for engagement rings.

If you’re looking for a more elegant style, consider a round cut diamond. It’s one of the most timeless diamond shapes and looks fantastic on any occasion.

In addition to its classic beauty, a round cut diamond can also be used for earrings or pendants and is a great option if you aren’t looking for the largest possible size. A square cut diamond is another option for those who want a clean and simple design.

3. Clarity

Lab-grown diamonds are grown using the same process that natural diamonds are mined, except that they are made in a laboratory. These lab-grown diamonds are a great option for those who want a beautiful diamond at a reasonable price.

GIA has a detailed color grading system for lab grown diamonds that will help you find a diamond with the exact color you want. You can choose from a wide range of colors, including white and yellow. You can even opt for a pink diamond (although this isn’t the most popular color choice).

The clarity of a lab grown diamond can be just as important as that of a natural diamond. As with natural diamonds, the higher the clarity grade of a lab grown diamond, the better it will look and be worth more money.

However, a lab-grown diamond can contain inclusions that affect its clarity grade. These inclusions can cause dark spots or imperfections in the diamond, which will affect its value and appearance. Generally, clarity grading of a lab grown diamond should be no lower than VS2, but you can go as low as I1 depending on the shape and size of the inclusions.

As with a natural diamond, a lab-grown diamond can be colored by inserting dyes during the growth process. This can result in a yellow or brown tint that will negatively impact the diamond’s color grade.

In addition to their resale value, lab-grown diamonds are a sustainable alternative to mined diamonds. They are also more affordable, with prices sometimes up to 50 percent less than their natural counterparts.

It’s not only more affordable, but they have a much smaller carbon footprint than mined diamonds. During the growth process, lab-grown diamonds use 250 million joules of electricity per carat, compared to 538.5 million joules for mined diamonds.

The electricity used in creating a lab-grown diamond can be offset by renewable energy. If you’re a fan of solar or wind power, consider purchasing a lab-grown diamond that has been certified to be 100% green.

Despite the fact that it is not as widely recognized as a traditional diamond, lab grown diamonds have exploded in popularity recently. Their cost per carat has dropped significantly as the technology has improved. In fact, according to Sherry Smith of data and consulting company The Edge Retail Academy, lab-grown loose diamond sales represented 7 percent of total retail loose sales from January through June this year.

4. Color

The color of a lab grown diamond is an important factor in the value and quality of a lab grown gem. It determines how much light it will reflect and how it will appear to the naked eye.

A diamond’s color is determined by the way it has been formed, and the type of chemical reaction it is subjected to. During the growing process, a lab diamond can turn colorless (a D or E grade), or may have a tint of yellow, orange, or brown.

Inclusions, such as feathers and crystals, also make a difference in the way a diamond’s color grades. These inclusions can be seen as pinpoints, needles, or tiny clouds in the diamond crystal.

These are natural features that only occur in the rarest of diamonds, which are found in the earth’s crust. These are the result of extreme pressure and high temperature in the Earth’s mantle, which is how diamonds are formed from the ground.

Some inclusions in a lab grown diamond can be difficult to spot at a glance, but can easily be identified by a professional grading service. These include metallic inclusions which are caused by the molten metal solution used in the diamond growth process, and twinning wisps.

Remnant Clouds, which are clusters of small inclusions, can also be spotted in a CVD laboratory-grown diamond. They can resemble feathers and comets with tails trailing from them, and are a sign of natural growth in diamonds.

Another type of inclusion is fluorescence, which is a bright blue light that shines through the diamond when it is viewed in regular light. This happens when nitrogen atoms align in specific arrays within the carbon lattice, making them visible.

A GIA-certified lab diamond has a report number that is laser-inscribed on its girdle. The GIA reports help ensure that a diamond is truly a lab grown diamond.

The GIA’s rating system for cultured diamonds is based on four criterions – cut, clarity, carat, and color. In order to be certified, a lab diamond must meet the highest standards for each characteristic.

Factors That Affect the Price of a Man-Made Diamond