Whilst it’s widely known that money doesn’t grow on trees, it’s less commonly understood that beautiful diamonds can, in fact, be grown in laboratories.
Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly popular amongst jewellers and buyers alike, not only for use in bracelets, earrings, and necklaces but also as centre stones for engagement rings and other fine jewellery.
The Ethics Of Diamonds
The rise of lab-grown diamonds is due primarily to two major factors: ethics and price.
Naturally occurring diamonds form in the Earth’s crust, usually up to 150 miles beneath the surface. Mining them is an incredibly expensive process that requires deep excavations into land, and plenty of energy and water resources. It often damages natural landscapes and generates sizeable carbon emissions.
In contrast, producing lab-grown diamonds involves significantly less invasive processes, offering a more environmentally-friendly alternative.
The Advantages Of Lab Grown Diamonds
Environmentally-Friendly
As their name suggests, lab grown diamonds are created in scientific laboratories using precision technical equipment, leaving a minimal ecological footprint.
No deforestation, water pollution or destruction of natural habitats occur, so the environmental impact of making lab diamonds available for sale is greatly reduced.
If you are looking to purchase jewellery that aligns with your values of ethical sourcing, sustainability and social responsibility, lab grown diamonds are the perfect choice.
Indistinguishable
Only expert jewellers using special equipment could possibly tell the difference between the brilliance and clarity of mined diamonds and their lab grown counterparts. That’s because lab diamonds are actually real diamonds grown from diamond seeds.
In the laboratory, scientists recreate the high temperature/high pressure conditions that lead to the creation of real diamonds in the Earth’s crust. Therefore, the resulting diamonds have a chemical structure and physical appearance that is the same as mined stones.
Flawless Beauty
It’s actually fair to say that lab grown diamonds can offer a more beautiful alternative to mined gems. The strict laboratory conditions under which they are grown leads to the elimination of flaws and impurities that can be present in mined diamonds.
Resulting in diamonds that display exceptional clarity and brilliance, with none of the shortcomings you might find in mined gems.
Just As Long Lasting
Although lab grown diamonds are a relatively new concept (the first gem-quality crystals are believed to have been developed by GE in 1971); because they share the same chemical structure as mined diamonds, they are equally durable and just as beautiful as any other diamond. This makes them the ideal centrepiece for engagement rings and other jewellery that is worn daily.
Tested And Certified
When buying lab grown diamonds, you should always ask to see evidence of testing as well as a certification of quality. These will guarantee that the gems you’re buying have been through rigorous quality control procedures to confirm they are as aesthetic, elegant and durable as mined diamonds.
Full Transparency
You will be able to trace the origin of your lab grown diamond, including where it was made and who by, enabling you to make a decision to buy that’s based on the ethics of the company that created your diamond.
Just look at the girdle area of your stone – which is the widest part of the gem – and you will see the words ‘Lab-Grown’ lasered onto the surface along with a certification number. This will help you trace the origin of your diamond if you need to.
Budget Friendly
Lab grown diamonds take between 6 to 12 weeks to grow from seed to full size gem. Compare this with the thousands of years it takes diamonds to form naturally in the Earth’s crust, and it’s easy to see why lab grown diamonds are considerably less expensive to buy.
They tend to cost up to 30% less than the mined alternative, making them much more suitable for limited budgets.
A Word Of Warning
Beware of diamonds bearing the word ‘simulated’. These are not the same quality as lab-grown diamonds. Instead, they have been designed to look like diamonds but lack the chemical and physical properties that mined and lab-grown diamonds share.
The Ethics Of Mined Diamonds
The rise in popularity of lab-grown diamonds has certainly compelled diamond miners to think more closely about environmental and other ethical issues surrounding their processes.
Many producers now carry assurances that their working methods are traceable, ethical and designed to minimise environmental degradation. They also are paying more attention to ensuring safe and responsible working conditions for all those carrying out their mining operations.
The Home Of Ethical Diamonds
Here at Hatton Garden Diamond, we are proud to be able to say that all our diamonds are ethically sourced, whether they are mined or lab grown.
We offer a stunning selection of lab grown diamond engagement, wedding, anniversary, fashion, eternity and other rings in different styles and cuts to suit all budgets.
We all know the importance of taking care of the world’s precious resources. Lab-grown diamonds offer a guilt-free way to show our love not only for the partners, friends and family for whom we buy jewellery, but also for the planet we call home.
And with precious little difference between mined and lab-grown diamonds in terms of beauty, clarity and durability, and a big difference in terms of price, it’s easy to see why the popularity of lab-grown gems is set to keep on, well, growing!
Book A Consultation Today
Hatton Garden Diamond is one of the longest standing diamond jewellers in London’s iconic Hatton Garden jewellery district. We have been providing exquisite diamond engagement rings for couples around the globe for decades. Book your consultation today and come along to find your perfect diamond.