Swarovski Introduces Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are a more sustainable alternative to mined diamonds. They offer the same beauty and quality at a fraction of the price.

Swarovski is one of the first jewelry brands to embrace lab diamonds in its Atelier Swarovski collection. The Austrian brand’s latest line features a mix of colourless gems and some funky hues like Neo-Expressionist Pistachio, Electro Arctic and Cubist Sky.

1. Identical to Natural Diamonds

Swarovski, an innovative brand that specializes in crystal glass stemware and other fine jewelry, has recently added lab grown diamonds to their lineup. This innovative technique perfectly replicates the process by which diamonds are formed in nature, creating simulated gemstones that are identical to real mined diamonds in all chemical and physical properties yet at a fraction of the price.

Unlike diamond simulants (imitations of diamond made of superficially-similar non-diamond materials), lab created diamonds are actually pure carbon that is molded to form a diamond crystal in an isotropic 3D shape. This results in diamonds that are indistinguishable from mined diamonds in all chemical, physical and optical attributes including fire, scintillation and sparkle.

The diamonds are then cut and polished to a high standard, just as they would be for natural diamonds. The result is a product that is identical in all aspects to a natural diamond, and that comes with a certificate from an independent gem lab.

These lab created diamonds have the same cut, clarity, color and carat weight as natural diamonds. They are also graded by the same grading agencies like the Gemological Institute of America and the International Gemological Institute.

While there are a few defining characteristics that distinguish a lab created diamond from a natural one, these differences are relatively subtle and can be picked up by trained gemologists. Most importantly, there are no metallic inclusions in a lab created diamond that occur in natural diamonds.

Another difference is the color spectrum. While many natural diamonds are colored by trace amounts of nitrogen, which give them a yellow or sometimes blue color, lab created diamonds can never exhibit this color.

Aside from these nuances, lab created diamonds are still a great alternative to natural diamonds for couples who desire a high quality and stunning piece of jewelry. While they are not as durable as organic diamonds, they are typically more affordable and may hold their value better.

While there are many advantages to lab created diamonds, some consumers worry about the environmental ramifications of bringing these synthetic stones into the jewelry industry. The good news is that a number of companies are taking steps to improve their sustainability and ethical practices.

2. Affordability

Swarovski has a reputation for being the jeweller to go for when you want to make an impact, so it’s no surprise that its lab grown diamonds are also highly affordable. In fact, they’re often between 30-50 percent less than mined diamonds and offer great value for the money.

In order to create these diamonds, scientists use a technique called heat-treating to produce the same optical, chemical and physical properties as those naturally formed deep inside the earth. It’s the same process that has been used for decades to create other precious gemstones, such as sapphires and rubies.

This allows the lab-grown diamond to exhibit the same fire, scintillation and sparkle as a natural diamond. As such, they’re indistinguishable from a natural diamond and are incredibly popular among the brand’s consumers.

They’re also a great option for those looking to buy ethically, as they can be created in a way that does not require harmful extraction and processing of natural resources. For example, Jem – with its ethically conscious mantra ‘jewellery ethically minded’ – sources most of its lab-grown diamonds from Diamond Foundry, which is carbon neutral and works in a sustainable way.

These diamonds are also incredibly durable and have the same sparkle as naturally mined stones. That’s a big difference when it comes to choosing a ring, so they’re an excellent choice for those looking to buy responsibly.

But are they worth it?

As they’re new to the industry, there are still a lot of questions about their resale value. While a natural diamond will usually increase in value over time, a lab-grown diamond isn’t guaranteed to do that. As the technology behind them improves, it could cause them to depreciate in value, making them a less stable investment.

If you’re considering a lab-grown diamond, make sure to consider all of the 4 C’s – cut, color, clarity and carat weight – before you make your purchase. These will affect the cost of your ring.

While there are a few drawbacks to buying lab-grown diamonds, they’re an ideal way to buy ethically and responsibly, and they’re sure to be an attractive option for many future brides and grooms. With their low price tag and indistinguishable appearance from a natural diamond, they’re a great alternative to the traditional mined variety.

3. Sustainability

In recent years, more and more jewelry brands have embraced lab-grown diamonds as an environmentally-friendly alternative to mined diamonds. This new trend has increased consumer awareness of sustainable lifestyle choices, but it also has its share of critics. In some cases, consumers may be too quick to embrace lab-grown diamonds as a sustainability solution without scrutinising their full impacts and potential pitfalls.

Many companies are also focusing on lab-grown diamonds as a way to combat ethical issues within the mined diamond industry. However, this is a tricky area to navigate. In addition to labour abuses and other issues that have plagued the mined diamond industry, there are some major environmental challenges associated with diamond mining.

The mining process requires massive amounts of energy and produces large amounts of carbon emissions. In addition, the mining process can lead to environmental damage such as soil erosion and water pollution.

One of the main reasons why so many companies are embracing lab-grown diamonds is that they require less energy and produce less carbon emissions than their natural counterparts. In fact, a study done by the Natural Diamond Council found that lab-grown diamonds could be as much as 40 per cent more eco-friendly than mined diamonds.

Another important reason why so many jewelry brands are opting for lab-grown diamonds is that they can be more affordable than natural diamonds. This is due to the fact that diamonds can be grown in a laboratory using chemicals and technology that are more efficient than traditional mining techniques.

It is also possible for lab-grown diamonds to be made using renewable energy, such as solar panels or wind turbines. In addition to reducing the company’s carbon footprint, this can help to make the diamond more environmentally friendly by helping to reduce the need for natural resources.

Swarovski, for example, is committed to sustainability and the environment and its lab-grown diamonds are carbon neutral. This is because the brand offsets the energy used to create their diamonds, which are indistinguishable from their mined counterparts.

4. Beauty

Swarovski is most known for their famous crystals, but now they’re also offering lab grown diamonds alongside their collection of fashion jewels. The brand first introduced the gems in 2018 with a selection of colourless diamonds crafted through a design collaboration with Penelope Cruz, and at Paris Couture Week this year unveiled their newest offerings, with stunning shades including Surrealist Butter, Electric Arctic and Draped Fire.

The diamonds are identical to natural mined ones, with the same chemical composition, hardness, brilliance and fire. In fact, they are so close that Swarovski says they “faithfully reflect the natural processes that occur in diamond formation”.

But that’s not all: The lab-grown diamonds at swarovski are independently certified by an independent gemological institute and may be used for insurance purposes. They’re also laser inscribed with a “lab grown diamond” on their girdle to ensure they’re transparently identified as such.

While the industry has been experimenting with lab-grown diamonds since the 18th century, it’s only been in the past decade that the technology has developed enough to create truly gemstone quality stones. The three main types of laboratory-grown diamonds are stimulant diamonds, cultured diamonds and simulants.

Stimulant diamonds are created by growing them in a lab using a seed, much like a natural pearl. There are two major variants of the stimulant diamond process: HPHT and CVD. The former is preferred for gemstone-quality lab-grown diamonds, while the latter can be found in industrial applications and isn’t as strong.

Cultured diamonds, on the other hand, are made through a combination of pressure and heat, which is similar to what happens in nature. They can be produced with a bar press or a belt press.

There are also some newer technologies that have been invented to produce artificial diamonds with better color and clarity. This includes the use of fusing haloes to enhance a diamond’s beauty and fire, as well as the application of irradiation for specific colors.

These newer technology options have also improved the resale value of lab-grown diamonds, which makes them more attractive to traders and jewelry professionals. But it’s still too early to say if the technology will be able to maintain their value in the future.

Swarovski Introduces Lab Grown Diamonds