Why Buy Loose Lab Diamonds For Your Engagement Ring?
Why Buy Loose Lab Diamonds For Your Engagement Ring?
If you’re planning on buying an engagement ring, you might want to consider buying loose lab diamonds instead of natural ones. These diamonds are more affordable and ethically sourced.
They are also called man-made diamonds, cultured diamonds or engineered diamonds. They are identical to their natural counterparts in optical properties, chemical composition and hardness.
1. They are the same optical properties as natural diamonds
A lab diamond is a synthetic stone, and like a real diamond, it has all of the same optical properties as a natural diamond. Its optical qualities are the result of microscopic imperfections that cause Rayleigh scattering, an effect that can be manipulated with various chemical and physical treatments.
Optical characterization of diamonds is the oldest and most familiar method for characterizing color centers, inclusions and other defects in these stones. However, there are other techniques that can be used to characterize diamonds, such as infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy.
Infrared spectroscopy is an extremely useful technique for characterizing the transmissivity of diamond and for the identification of certain impurity color centers. It also helps to identify some of the main sources of phosphorescence in diamonds, including nitrogen interstitials and boron vacancies.
The intensity of phosphorescence in diamonds depends on the nitrogen and boron concentration in their structures, which are both controlled by a chemical reaction known as Frenkel-type damage. This damage occurs when carbon vacancies and nitrogen interstitials form a single center. Several spectra of natural type IIb diamonds and HPHT-treated diamonds were examined, along with some synthetic diamonds.
While the phosphorescence spectra of these diamonds are comparable to those of natural type IIb diamonds, the HPHT-treated and synthetic diamonds showed very different intensities. Moreover, none of the HPHT-treated diamonds and synthetic diamonds showed the 660 nm band that was found in natural type IIb diamonds.
Similarly, the spectra of these diamonds were significantly affected by the concentration of IR active hydrogen. While the 1330 nm PL center of these diamonds was found to be independent from the concentration of IR active hydrogen, there were complex absorption bands associated with the 990 nm ZPL series that were only seen in the diamonds with high levels of IR active hydrogen.
These studies demonstrate that even diamonds treated with high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) procedures can have several unpublished emission peaks, which can be practically undetectable using PL spectroscopy and other methods. These findings suggest that the theory of solid CO2 inclusions being responsible for these emissions may be incorrect.
2. They are ethically sourced
The diamond industry is reworking its supply chain to meet the changing demands of a society that has shifted away from traditional engagement and marriage symbols. For many, the millennial generation, that means avoiding conflict diamonds and choosing more sustainable options.
While these alternatives have many benefits, they may also come with a few drawbacks:
Ethical Kind
For one, the diamond industry came under fire several years ago when it was discovered that some diamonds are sourced from conflict areas that fund violence and exploit labor. This problem is now addressed with the Kimberley Process, which ensures that all diamonds are either conflict-free or certified under a different sustainability criteria.
Another ethical concern is the environmental impact of mining. The extraction of a mined diamond requires over 120 gallons of water for every carat. This is in addition to the power, fuel and labor needed for a mined diamond production, according to The Diamond Foundry.
Fortunately, many lab-grown diamond companies have started using more renewable energy and have committed to purchasing carbon offsets. Some even use recycled waste to produce their own gems.
However, you still need to do your research to find out whether a company’s diamonds are environmentally friendly or not. The best way to do this is to check the manufacturer’s website for their commitment to green policies.
This will help you decide if they are a good option for you and your wallet. If the company does not have any green policies, consider looking for other lab-grown companies that are doing their part to reduce their environmental footprint by using less energy and implementing other sustainable practices.
Clean Origin, for example, has a large selection of lab-grown diamonds to choose from. They sell jewelry with a conscience (the company plants a tree for each piece of jewelry it sells), and they are an ideal choice for anyone who values environmental protection, fair trade and ethically-sourced jewelry.
Lastly, we’d like to highlight Agape Diamonds, whose mission is to produce ethically sourced natural and lab-grown diamonds for their customers. They offer ethically sourced natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and diamond simulants in a variety of setting styles.
3. They are available in all colors
If you’re shopping for a loose diamond for jewelry, you can expect to see a range of color options. Whether you’re looking for a icy blue or a deep pink, there are plenty of lab-grown diamonds to choose from.
The availability of lab diamonds in all colors is a huge boon for jewelry lovers who don’t want to settle on just one style or one setting. Unlike natural diamonds, which are created in the earth over millions of years, lab-grown diamonds can be produced in just a few months. This is why they are often more affordable than natural diamonds and make an ideal alternative to a more expensive natural diamond.
There are many factors that determine the price of a diamond, and color is one of them. Typically, diamonds with a higher color grade are more valuable than ones with a lower grade. For example, a natural diamond with a yellowish tint will be much more valuable than one with a brownish or greyish tint.
Aside from that, the rarity of colored diamonds is also an important factor to consider when shopping for a stone. The higher the color, the more rare it is and therefore the more valuable it is.
Another important consideration when choosing a color is how it will look in a ring. You’ll want to ensure the side and accent diamonds complement the color of the center diamond, so that they appear as one.
In general, lab-grown diamonds come in a variety of colors, from light to dark. You can even find colored diamonds with a bluish tint, which is a result of boron in the diamond.
The most common color choices are white and yellow, but you can also find lab diamonds in pink, blue, and other hues. You can also find them in a range of sizes, shapes, and carat weights.
Buying a lab-grown diamond is a great option if you’re on a budget or are trying to avoid mining and environmental pollution associated with traditional diamond production. It’s also a great way to support ethical companies, and you can find more than one company that works exclusively with lab-grown diamonds.
4. They are more affordable
If you are looking for a beautiful, high-quality diamond engagement ring but can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars, lab diamonds are a great alternative. They can be up to 75% cheaper than natural diamonds and are ethically sourced.
When shopping for a lab-grown diamond, you should do your research and make sure you choose a reputable company with excellent customer service. Look for a vendor that offers free resizing and warranties, and has a wide variety of lab-grown diamond options.
You should also consider a retailer that has a good return policy and allows you to try on their products. This will help you ensure that the diamond you are buying is the right fit for your style and budget.
The main reason why a lab diamond is more affordable than a natural one is because they are created in laboratories. These labs are much smaller than mines, and they don’t have the same amount of infrastructure and labor that natural diamond mines do.
Another reason why a lab diamond is more affordable is that they have a shorter production cycle than a mined diamond. The process to create a mined diamond can take years, but the production time for a lab-grown diamond is usually just weeks.
In addition to being more affordable than natural diamonds, lab-created diamonds can be a great option for those who are interested in giving back or want to make an eco-friendly purchase. These diamonds are made using recycled metal, which reduces the need for new mining.
They are also more durable than natural diamonds. Since they are created in a laboratory, they are not affected by environmental factors like exposure to the elements and are more resistant to breakage or cracking.
Lab-created diamonds are available in all sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be used to create a wide range of jewelry pieces, from earrings to necklaces and rings.
If you’re looking for a beautiful, lab-grown diamond that will last a lifetime, there are plenty of places to shop online. Some of the best places to buy a lab-grown diamond include James Allen, Brilliant Earth, and Blue Nile.
Why Buy Loose Lab Diamonds For Your Engagement Ring?