Lab Grown vs. Earth Mined Diamonds
Thanks for taking the time to read through our information and thoughts about Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Diamonds that are Earth-mined. If you still have questions you want answered after reading through this, please contact us via our chat communicator tool and let us know what questions you have.
First, maybe you’re wondering, “What is a lab-grown diamond? Is it a fake stone? Is it a CZ or some sort of Moissanite or other fake "Diamond", Can you tell by looking at it that it wasn't mined from the ground? What will people think when they look at my Lab-Grown Diamond once it's in the ring...”
If any of this sounds like you, let us explain!
Although not a new invention, these types of diamonds have made tremendous progress in the last several years in terms of quality and availability. Scientists can now achieve beautiful, clean, and bright stones that — when cut correctly — have all the beauty of a traditional Earth-mined Diamond.
And to keep you in the loop on a price range: prices for lab-grown diamonds, when compared equally to stones from the ground, can be between 30-40% less expensive than an equal stone from the ground.
This means you’re now able to get a beautiful ring for a much more affordable price. This is huge for clients who want a quality ring without selling their car, phone, or a body part to get a dream ring (Wait to sell one of your Kidneys until it's time to buy a house.. not a ring!!
“But hold on, won’t it be obvious that I bought a lab-grown diamond instead of an earth-mined stone?”
Short answer: No chance!
Longer answer: We only source stones with H color or better and a Clarity of Si1 or higher, and always with the best possible cut. Without a big, fancy microscope, lab-grown and earth-mined stones are impossible to tell apart. One thing to note, at the moment GIA is not grading Lab-Grown Diamonds and the Lab-Grown options we sell come with a report from IGI. We set a higher standard for the Color and Clarity of these stones to ensure a quality Diamond if there would be a discrepancy between a GIA and IGI report.
Also, contrary to popular belief, lab-grown diamonds are completely, 100% real Diamonds. The only difference is that they are grown in a curated, scientifically assisted environment! The same elements are found in both types of Diamond. If comparing this to faux-diamond materials such as Moissanite, White Sapphire, or Cubic Zirconia, these other stones may sparkle somewhat like a diamond, but so do those plastic rings you win at an arcade. None of them even come close to the durability of a real diamond, whether it be from the ground or grown in a controlled laboratory. At HDJ, we make it a priority to use only durable diamonds that will feel special for years to come.
On another note, lab-grown diamonds do have a different impact on the environment. A nice fact is that Lab-Grown stones don't require massive amounts of Earth to be mined since they are grown in a controlled environment, they help avoid the destruction caused by heavy mining processes in the search for earth-mined stones. The negative side to the equation is that massive amounts of energy are needed to heat and pressurize the carbon material to grow a Lab-Grown Diamond. Another positive is that since lab-grown stones are produced in easy-to-monitor settings, it is much easier to track them and observe their entire history. Why does this matter? Well, this means you’re virtually guaranteed a stone that is as pure and conflict-free as they come.
Now, since you’re making such a big investment with the stone you choose, we want to be completely clear and transparent and highlight a value aspect.
The only downfall (if you see it that way) of lab-grown stones revolves around if you plan on selling it in the future. This is because the long term financial value they hold is unknown. The resale market isn’t strong for those trying to flip or sell their stones for a profit. Because of this, it wouldn’t be wise to think of lab-grown diamonds as something you can buy cheap now and sell for more later.
Instead of thinking about how much money they can get back for it, our advice to whoever is considering lab-grown stones is to think about why they need a diamond. If the primary objective is to make a woman your wife and to give her a ring to wear for the next 30, 40, or 50 years, then the main focus should be on diamond quality, not resale value. And if the future quality is a fear, let me assure you that the stone will look as sparkly and clear then as it does now.
Lab-grown stones are a much more approachable alternative to the equally-exquisite stones that are naturally found in the ground. Now, if we can match a realistic expectation with your budget and we can accomplish your goal with a stone from the ground, that will always be our default option. However, where lab-grown options typically come into play for us is if we are trying to help a client bridge the gap between their dream Diamond and their budget.