You can enjoy the advantages of both worlds by incorporating a colored lab-grown diamond into your jewelry, as it adds a unique and desirable element. Naturally occurring colored diamonds are rare and come with a high price tag. However, in a laboratory setting, scientists and researchers have the ability to manipulate the growth of colored diamonds, making them more accessible than ever before.
What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab-grown diamond refers to a diamond that is created in a laboratory instead of being formed naturally in the earth. Despite being produced in a lab, these diamonds possess the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds. They are composed of carbon and can be identified as diamonds through testing.
When were lab diamonds invented?
Lab diamonds were first invented in 1954 by General Electric, a well-known company recognized for manufacturing household refrigerators. Initially, these diamonds were primarily developed for industrial purposes rather than for their visual appeal. They found extensive use in industrial applications such as lasers and abrasives. It was not until the 1970s that General Electric introduced the world to the first high-quality, gem-grade lab diamond.
At present, lab diamonds are created using two methods: the HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) method and the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. (Refer to the FAQ section below for further details on each method.)
Lab-Grown Diamond Grading
These are graded on the same scale as a natural diamond taking into consideration the 4C’s – Carat weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut.
While the GIA does grade lab grown diamonds, you will see more grading reports from the IGI because they cornered the market long ago. Both grading labs, in addition to GCAL, are reputable.
The average cost of lab-grown diamonds
While there is a cost associated with growing lab-grown diamonds, it is significantly lower than the expenses involved in mining natural diamonds. This cost-saving advantage is then passed on to you, the consumer. Typically, a lab-grown diamond with the same specifications in terms of the 4C’s (carat, cut, clarity, and color) as a natural diamond will be priced at about one-third to one-fourth of the price. That’s quite intriguing for interested folks! However, it’s important to note that lab-grown diamonds do not hold much resale value in the secondary market.
Take a look at the useful chart below to see just how much you can save when purchasing lab-grown diamonds compared to natural diamonds. It’s worth mentioning that all the diamonds being compared in the chart have an ideal cut grade and no fluorescence.
Price Comparison Table between Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds
The Pros and Cons of Lab-Created Diamonds
The Pros
With the same budget, you can obtain a larger diamond when choosing lab-grown diamonds. They are more affordable compared to natural diamonds while maintaining the same level of quality. The appearance of lab-grown diamonds is indistinguishable from natural ones because they possess identical chemical, physical, and optical properties; the only difference lies in their method of production.
Lab-grown diamonds are considered to be more sustainable and eco-friendly, although it is important to acknowledge that substantial energy is still required during their manufacturing process.
The Cons
The resale value of lab-grown diamonds is less predictable, so if resale value is an important factor for you, it may be preferable to choose a natural diamond. Natural diamonds have been established in the market for many years and have generally maintained their value. While you can anticipate a lower resale price than the original retail value for a natural diamond, its value at the wholesale level has remained relatively stable.
Perception is also an important consideration. If you are planning a surprise proposal, you should take into account whether your soon-to-be fiancée would be comfortable with a lab-grown diamond or if she would prefer a natural diamond as the “real deal.” It is essential to consider her personal preferences and perceptions in making the decision.
Lab Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
Although lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds appear identical to the naked eye, there are indeed distinctions at the microscopic and molecular levels. These distinctions are subtle and often necessitate costly equipment, even for experienced gemologists, to detect and analyze accurately.
Inclusions
Due to the distinct production methods of lab-grown diamonds, the inclusions they possess differ from those found in natural diamonds. In lab-grown diamonds, the primary inclusions are often metal inclusions originating from the growth solution. Interestingly, lower-clarity lab-grown diamonds (SI2-I3) can exhibit magnetic properties. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds typically contain non-diamond carbon inclusions. Identifying these various types of inclusions is challenging even for trained gemologists using only a microscope or loupe, especially in higher-clarity lab-grown diamonds (VS2 and above).
Phosphorescence
On certain occasions, when a diamond is exposed to UV light and then removed from the source, it may exhibit a different glowing color, typically blue or orange. This phenomenon is known as phosphorescence and is quite fascinating! Nearly all lab-grown diamonds demonstrate some level of phosphorescence, which is often utilized as a distinguishing factor between natural and lab-created diamonds. While some laboratory-grown diamonds, particularly those treated with HPHT for color, may also exhibit phosphorescence, it is less commonly observed. Currently, phosphorescence is not included in the grading reports provided by reputable organizations such as GIA, IGI, or GCAL.
Blue Tint (Nuance)
Occasionally, lab-grown diamonds may exhibit a blue tint, which is attributed to trace amounts of the mineral boron. Boron is also responsible for the blue color in natural blue diamonds. In the growth process, boron is sometimes employed in the growing chamber to eliminate excess nitrogen, which gives diamonds a yellow tint. Due to the cost and time involved in removing boron, growers often choose to leave it in the diamonds. The International Gemological Institute (IGI) includes remarks such as ‘faint blue’ or ‘blue nuance’ (older reports) in their additional comments section for G or lower color-graded diamonds that possess a tint. However, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) does not currently include this information in its reports.
If you have a keen eye for color, you might notice the subtle blue tint in the diamond. It is less visible when viewing the diamond from the top (face up) but becomes more apparent from the side or bottom, which is advantageous as the diamond is typically set in a ring in such a way. The provided images demonstrate a slight distinction when observing the stones from different angles, with the difference being less pronounced when viewed from the top. It’s important to note that the blue tint is much less noticeable in person compared to images due to variations in backgrounds, lighting conditions, and camera settings.
Post growth treatment
Post-growth treatment may sound scary and like something to avoid, but it’s actually just another step in the growing process for a lab-created diamond. Remember, the rest of the process happens in a lab in any case. 70% of all CVD diamonds come out of the growing chamber with a noticeable brown or yellow tint so growers will use HPHT to remove some of the (or all if they are lucky) color. This treatment is stable and will not change the diamond over time. It can be exposed to heat from a jeweler’s torch or a steam cleaner and it will not change back to its original color. Post Growth treatment is listed on the grading reports for both IGI and GIA under the additional comments section. This is not done to scare you or to sway you away from considering a stone with Post Growth treatment but merely to provide as much detailed information about the diamond as possible.
Contact Gittelson Jewelers
Our advice… In our perspective, three factors play a significant role in deciding between a natural, mined diamond and a lab-created diamond:
- Your budget
- Her preferences
- Consideration for resale value
Opting for a natural diamond is a reliable choice. Although you may not sell it for a higher price than what you paid, you can expect the diamond’s value to remain relatively stable over time, with prices aligned for similar diamonds in the future.
However, it is noteworthy that a considerable number of new couples, more than half, are choosing lab-created diamonds. This option is considered more sustainable and guarantees a conflict-free choice. Additionally, it allows you to obtain a larger diamond within your budget.
There is no universal answer to this decision. If you need guidance, our gemologists adhere to one rule: they provide advice as they would to their best friend. Feel free to engage in a conversation with us to discuss your options. Contact us today for help in selecting the perfect diamond for your engagement ring. We can help you custom-design the ring of your dreams.