The Basics: Lab Grown Diamonds

The latest trend in the diamond industry is the creation of lab-grown diamonds. Lab-created diamonds provide an alternative diamond choice to natural, mined diamonds, and can offer exceptional value. Most notably, if you like the look of a larger diamond but a natural diamond is outside of your engagement ring budget, lab-created diamonds may be worth considering.

Lab-grown diamonds are structurally indistinguishable from their natural diamond counterparts, differing in origin alone. With a limited number of natural mining resources, this kind of diamond promises an interesting alternative that helps us see how the jewelry world can become more eco-friendly — except that there are two sides to this coin that you should know about.

Let’s dive a little deeper to find out what happens behind the scenes when it comes to lab-grown diamonds.

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

Scientists make use of two techniques to create lab-grown diamonds. 

The first technique, high-pressure high temperature (HPHT), was launched in the 1950s and is the closest to mimicking the natural formation of a diamond. It essentially recreates natural volcanic conditions with high-tech presses. These continuously exert intense pressure onto a pure diamond seed surrounded by carbon in a controlled environment engineered to support temperatures above 3,600ºF. 

The second process is known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which came about in the 1980s and has been perfected since. Here a diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber with carbon gas and subjected to continuous extreme high temperatures. The gas begins to release carbon pieces that accumulate over the diamond seed, like snowflakes falling on top of one another. The result? A substantially larger diamond.

Either method produces a rough diamond which is then polished and cut, just as a natural diamond would. Except that lab-grown diamonds are generated in as little as two weeks, depending on the carat size, rather than billions of years!

Because of the controlled laboratory conditions, lab-grown diamonds tend to display fewer inclusions and variations in color (unless these are produced on purpose). But it is worth taking into account that, compared to CVD diamonds, HPHT diamonds tend to have a yellower tint and darker and more metallic inclusions. This results from their contact with the presses, although these differences are minimal.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds Known For? 

Lab-grown diamonds have gained popularity because they are seen as a more ethical and sustainable alternative to natural diamonds.

The laboratory origin of lab-grown diamond engagement rings means there is no need to deplete natural mining resources. In other words, their production is considered sustainable because it takes up significantly less space, relieving the stress on our lands. But recent studies also argue that the equipment used to produce lab-grown diamonds demands a similar, sometimes even higher, level of fossil fuels as the machinery used to mine natural diamonds.

Luckily, the ethical side of things is more straightforward.

Many people question whether their diamonds are responsibly sourced. This means responsible buyers want traceability from the mines up to the moment that diamond reaches your finger — with the confidence that labor conditions are fair and safe. 

You can rest assured that a custom lab-grown diamond ring automatically falls in this category. Moreover, Buchroeders' natural diamonds come from the recycled market, so we do not take part in any mining activities to source them.

Are Lab Grown Diamonds A Good Investment? 

What singles out lab-grown diamond engagement rings from their natural counterpart is their cost value. When purchasing your custom lab diamond ring, you can get about 50% more carat for your cash, and the quality of the gemstone is identical to that of mined diamonds. In fact, the chemical and physical attributes of mined and lab-grown diamonds are basically interchangeable; both score highest (10) on the Mohs Scale for mineral hardness!

It's worth bearing in mind that if you ever sell your lab grown diamond at some point in the future, it will go for a fraction of the original cost, whereas natural diamonds can sometimes sell for 60% or more of their original price. 

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Rare? 

Although quality and durability are not an issue, this diamond does lose out on its rarity factor. For many people, a diamond’s rarity makes it so precious. The exceptional conditions of a natural diamond serve as a powerful emblem for significant and unique moments in our lives, like that unforgettable day when you propose to your sweetheart.

For more insight on the intrinsic value of diamonds, have a look over our article on lab grown diamonds vs. natural diamonds.

Why Choose Lab Grown Diamonds?

When push comes to shove, lab-grown diamonds offer a tremendous value that will keep your wallet happy. These diamonds are also ethical, meaning you can make a guilt-free purchase without having to exhaust yourself by closely researching jewelers and manufacturers. Because they share the same optical and chemical properties as mined diamonds, a custom lab diamond ring will deliver just as much quality and shine for at least half the price. 

The larger the carat size, the more you’ll be saving. The expenses involved in the production of large lab-grown diamonds are significantly lower than the cost of getting your hands on mined diamonds since even the smallest of these is extraordinarily rare in nature. 

Why choose Buchroeders Jewelers?

At Buchroeders, we pride ourselves on offering an unsurpassed selection of custom-made lab-grown diamond engagement rings. We also have the largest loose diamond selection in Missouri. When you visit Buchroeders in Columbia, MO, our diamond experts will guide you through our diamond cases, providing you with the knowledge needed to choose the right diamond for you. Our wide selection of natural and lab-grown diamonds lets clients create custom engagement rings on-site. Whether you prefer natural or lab-grown diamonds, we have the information and expertise to help you design the perfect engagement ring.

We hope this post was resourceful to you! Don’t hesitate to book an appointment if you have any questions regarding lab grown diamonds. Why not start exploring your options today with our custom bridal services?