Synthetic diamonds are cheaper and less transparent than natural diamonds. There are also some misconceptions about these gems. The FTC warned consumers against claims that lab grown diamonds were environmentally friendly. Although there are some companies that work hard to improve safety and reduce environmental impact, most lab grown diamonds have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. Some of these diamonds are cheaper than natural diamonds, but they have less transparency and lack resale value.
They are more cloudy
The two main differences between natural and man made diamonds vs real are the way they are created and their cloudiness. Natural diamonds are formed by a natural process, while man made diamonds are grown in a laboratory. While both can be cloudy, the difference is not very great. Both can be just as precious as real diamonds and will retain their lustre for many years.
While natural diamonds are eye-catching and are usually more expensive, man-made diamonds are more affordable. These diamonds are produced under expert supervision. Although they have a lower price, you’ll find that the clarity of man-made diamonds is lower. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by buying the lowest clarity grade.
They have no resale value
One common misconception about man made diamonds is that they have no resale value. Despite the fact that they are produced in a laboratory, diamonds still have a resale value. That is why buyers of natural diamonds lose anywhere from 30 to 70 percent of the purchase price.
One company that has successfully solved this problem is Brilliant Earth. This ethical diamond company carries both fancy colored and colorless lab diamonds. The company solves the ethical resale value problem by offering ethical and affordable alternatives to natural diamonds. Many consumers shun natural diamonds due to price and mining ethics, but Brilliant Earth’s diamonds come at a fraction of the cost of natural diamonds. Furthermore, their blockchain technology helps buyers be assured that the diamonds are ethically sourced.
They are less transparent
Diamonds are one of the hardest and stiffest materials known to man. In addition to its strength and durability, diamonds also possess exceptional electrical insulating properties. Its thermal conductivity is also one of the highest of all known materials. In addition, diamond is completely transparent to visible and infrared light. It is chemically inert, which means it is not affected by most acids and solvents.
Scientists at ASEA, a major electrical equipment manufacturing company in Sweden, worked on a top secret project lab diamonds vs real diamonds aimed at producing diamonds using a lab method. This involved creating diamonds in a split-sphere apparatus that maintained a high temperature and pressure of 8.4 GPa. This was an extremely complex process, but in the end, the team produced tiny diamonds.
They are cheaper
According to Paul Zimnisky, an industry analyst, the average price of a 1.5-carat round lab-grown diamond was $10,300 in the second quarter of 2016. Five years later, that same gem sold for $3,975. The price drops are the result of increased competition and initially inflated margins. However, the price of man-made diamonds is unlikely to decline further in the near future.
Man-made diamonds are similar to natural diamonds in appearance, clarity, and color. Even a professional jeweler may not be able to distinguish between the two. This makes man-made diamonds a more ethical and environmentally friendly option. They’re also often available in colors that natural diamonds are not available in.
Conclusion
The price of lab-grown diamonds has come down significantly over the past few years. They still have resale value, but not as much as natural diamonds do. This is a major disadvantage when it comes to investing in diamonds. Also, diamonds are not always a good investment piece.