While lab-grown diamonds are not as durable as natural diamonds, they are still far better. And they are more affordable. They are also more sustainable, ethical, and cheaper. If you’re still wondering if lab-grown diamonds are worth your money, read on to learn more. If you’re still unsure, check out this comparison chart. It contains information about both natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Better than natural diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds better than natural ones? While the debate over the two technologies is not helpful for consumers, it can create a healthy competition. As the demand for diamonds grows, lab-grown diamonds can reduce the demand for mined diamonds, which can be less sustainable. Villegas, the CEO of WD Lab Grown Diamonds, hopes that the growing technology will enable the diamond industry to catch up to mined diamonds.
Another major advantage of lab-grown diamonds Novita charity partnership over natural diamonds is their lower cost. Unlike natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can grow up to a hundred carats, whereas the largest organic diamonds can weigh 400 carats. While this size may seem out of reach for the average consumer, lab-grown diamonds are considerably cheaper than their natural counterparts. Natural diamonds are more expensive than lab-grown diamonds, but they are still more valuable for their rarity and personal significance.
largely for personal use
If you are looking to buy a diamond but are on a budget, you may want to consider purchasing a cheaper lab grown diamond. Although these gems are quite similar to natural diamonds, the process used to create them differs. They are largely for personal use. Lab grown emeralds first hit the market in the mid-1990s and were hailed as a rare gem. Once they started to show up in jewelry stores, the price of these gemstones skyrocketed and the emerald mania exploded, driving prices to unsustainable levels.
However, a downside to lab grown diamonds is their lack of resale value. Compared to natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds retain 50% of their value if sold at half the price of their original value. This is largely because natural diamonds are rare and therefore hold their value better than lab grown diamonds. Because of this, the demand for natural diamonds outweighs the supply. Moreover, lab grown diamonds may lose their value in the future if the market becomes flooded with cheaper lab grown diamonds.
Sustainable
If consumers are looking to buy more responsibly-sourced diamonds, they should consider buying more sustainable lab-grown diamonds. Although mined diamonds may still be the most expensive gemstone in the world, they are far more environmentally friendly. According to the University of Delaware’s Saleem Ali, a professor of minerals and energy, the diamond industry is largely unaware of the negative environmental impact of mining diamonds. This is a problem that the lab-grown industry is trying to avoid.
However, some companies are trying to head off this problem by utilizing environmentally-friendly practices. The largest diamond producer, De Beers, recently announced plans to operate a carbon-neutral mine in 2017. The FTC has even issued warnings against companies marketing lab-grown diamonds as environmentally friendly, unless they are willing to provide full disclosure. This isn’t enough, and buyers need to be able to judge for themselves.
Traceable and sustainable
Unlike naturally occurring diamonds, lab-grown gems are not mined in the ground, where they pose a high risk of pollution. Furthermore, they do not destroy ecosystems or work with low wages in dangerous conditions. Further, they are not mined in war zones or used to finance conflict. While this does pose ethical concerns, the business model behind lab-grown diamonds is completely different. The process of growth is fully traceable and sustainable, unlike that of mining diamonds in the ground.
Lastly
If you want to buy a diamond, it’s important to buy an ethical one. Choose lab-grown diamonds certified by the Kimberly Process or the International Gemological Institute. This way, you know for sure that the diamond you buy has been created in an ethical and transparent manner. In addition, you can watch the entire process of creation, including the cutting and grading process, as well as the diamond’s origin.