You may be asking yourself, what should I know before buying a lab diamond? Or you’re probably wondering, is it worth it to buy lab grown diamonds? Perhaps you’re ready to propose but torn between getting the ‘real deal’ which is mined, natural, something that will cost you an arm and a leg. Or buying the practical choice, the equally beautiful lab-grown diamond, at a much lower cost? What do you do? Read our buyer’s guide to lab-grown diamonds to learn more.

A Buyer’s Guide to Lab-Grown Diamonds

You’re in for a treat because we’re going to discuss everything there is to know about lab-grown diamonds. The upsides, the downsides, and a lot of sound advice so you can make an informed decision on which type of diamond to buy. Let’s get to it!

Lab-Grown Diamonds: To Buy Or Not To Buy?

Natural diamonds vs lab-grown diamonds is probably one of the hottest topics being discussed in the past few years. More and more consumers have become curious about it. What is a lab-grown diamond? Is it fake, inferior to a mined, natural diamond? All the answers to your frequently asked questions coming right up!

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Fake?

No, they are not fake. They are 100% real. Their physical and chemical composition are identical to those of natural diamonds. The only difference is the way they were formed. 

All natural diamonds are created by nature. They were formed underneath this earth with extreme heat and pressure over billions of years. On the other hand, man-made diamond production technology has been around since the 1950s or 1960s. But at that time only tiny grains could be made for industrial applications. 

Several years ago advancements in technology allowed for the production of gem-quality, man-made diamonds. They’re of high enough quality that they can now be used for creating jewelry, not unlike the one in this Myka review. 

How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Formed? 

Let’s take the ALTR Created Diamonds as an example. What you do is take a slice of an ALTR-created diamond and then arrange those seeds in a propriety chamber, almost like in the shape of a waffle. Then you close the chamber.

Next, you raise the temperature within and pump various propriety gasses. When the temperature reaches 1,300 to 1,400 degrees centigrade, the methane splits. Pure carbon becomes separated then it starts to bond. This carbon bond begins connecting with the seed at the bottom of the chamber. A diamond then grows one layer at a time. 

Is There Only One Way To Form A Diamond In The Lab?

No, there are two ways. First is the one mentioned above which is the HPHT or the High-Pressure High-Temperature Method. Then there’s CVD or Chemical Vapor Deposition. 

For the first one as the name implies, a serious amount of heat and pressure is required to mimic the conditions underneath the earth where diamonds form. But in this case, it’s done in a lab, and instead of waiting billions of years, it just takes a few weeks to grow. 

HPHT

So you take a diamond seed, put it inside the chamber with some carbon, and crank up the heat up to over 2,000 degrees. Then you need to put a massive amount of pressure on it. We’re talking over one and a half million pounds per inch kind of pressure. It then melts and creates this crystal structure needed for the diamond. 

This type of technology has been around since the 1950s, and it is still good and being used today. Diamonds created from this method tend to possess a bit of yellower tint, and their inclusions are a bit more metallic and darker. 

CVD

Next, we have CVD, or Chemical Vapor Deposition, which started in the 1980s. The method has been perfected in the last two decades and has created some amazing stones in the process. 

We begin the same way as the HPHT by getting a diamond seed and placing it into a vacuum chamber. It is filled with carbon gas and you turn up the heat. What happens then is that this gas starts to release carbon pieces that start accumulating over the diamond seed. 

The best way to visualize this is to imagine snowflakes falling on the ground and accumulating. Eventually, there will be enough to have a diamond crystal formed. You take that rough form, then clean and polish them to look like the fine diamonds you see today. 

Which Is Better, HPHT Or CVD Diamond? 

Again, the HPHT process utilizes graphite and molten metal as a catalyst to create the diamond under extensive amounts of heat and pressure. This in turn crystallizes and forms the rough diamond. But because of the influx of metal, HPHT diamonds are not the purest since they are not 100% carbon. Because of this, they do not get a Type II A Diamond certification from certifying agencies. 

Consequently, CVD is capital intensive, uses very complex technology, and cannot be easily replicated. And right now it is only accessible to a handful of players. 

In CVD the natural diamond seed is replicated in the same environment found underneath the earth’s surface. Various gases are infused under extreme heat and pressure. This causes the carbon to disintegrate from the gases and form layers over the diamond seed. 

The crystallization forms a pure carbon rough diamond. The result is a Type II A diamond, which is the purest type of diamond. All diamonds that go through this process get a Type II A certification from international diamond certifying agencies. 

What Are The Things To Consider When Choosing Between A Natural Or Lab-Grown Diamond

Here are some things to consider when deciding between a natural and a synthetic diamond for purchase. Some of them are negligible, and some are real deal-breakers. Which one is which is totally up to you. Also, find time to read a lab grown diamond guide to help you make informed decisions. 

Natural Vs Lab-Grown Side by Side

Physically, optically, and chemically, the lab-grown diamond is the same as the mined, natural variety. If you put two of them side by side with the same size, same cut, same clarity, or brilliance, there is no way you can spot the difference with your naked eye. Even trained gemologists will not be able to tell which one is which unless they use their specialized tools. 

The Pros Of A Lab-Grown Diamond

There are several reasons why you should look at synthetic diamonds in a positive light. First, it’s an earth-friendly option. No mining, pollution, or conflict is involved. But the most obvious reason is the price. 

Let’s take the image above as an example. The natural diamond on the left is 1.1 carat while the lab diamond on the right is 1.01 carat. This natural diamond that was ordered online and shipped to the owner’s house cost him $7,300 from James Allen. While the lab diamond on the right was ordered and shipped to him for only $2,100. It is just a fraction of the cost. So is the extra money for the natural diamond worth it? That decision is very personal so it’s totally up to you. 

The Downside Of A Synthetic Diamond

Is there a downside to lab created diamonds? Perhaps. One negative aspect you can look at of buying a lab diamond is its resale value. But honestly speaking, the resale of natural diamonds is nothing to celebrate over. Selling your diamond in general after you purchase it is not exactly an overwhelming experience. The most you can get is 50% of its original price. Some argue that lab diamonds have zero resale value. But arguably it’s around 15-25% return especially now that it’s growing in popularity. Think about it, 25% of a much lower price is still a lot better compared to 50% of a higher price. 

Steps For Buying Lab Diamonds

Alright, so perhaps you have decided to go for a lab diamond. But you’re wondering, what is the best quality for a lab grown diamond? We’ll discuss that as well as some helpful tips so you get a bang for your buck. For our example, we’re going to focus on finding the best engagement ring.

First, you need to decide on a budget. There are four main factors to be considered so you can evaluate the quality of your diamond. These are the carat, color, clarity, and cut. When you combine all four, plus some extra profit for your retailer then you end up with the diamond’s price. 

STEP 1: Buy Online

Online retailers give you the same ring for up to 30% less compared to when you buy it from brick-and-mortar stores. Narrow your options depending on your budget. Knowing your budget will make it easier for you to know what you’re looking for. 

Be reminded that there will always be a larger diamond having better quality so don’t get carried away. It’s very important to know your limits and choose the nicest diamond suited for your budget. 

STEP 2: Choose Your Carat Weight

Try and find out what is your loved one’s minimum expectations since you do not want to disappoint them. Some couples even decide to do the engagement ring purchase together. However, if you plan to surprise them you can just ask her family or close friends. 

It’s much better if you can have a diamond size comparison to see how it looks on the finger. Some online retailers allow you to click on the carat size preview tool. This feature allows buyers to control the size of their diamond on the ring, such as the one in this Jared review. so you have a good idea of how it looks in real life. 

Bear in mind that as you go down with the diamond color and clarity grades you’ll get a bigger diamond for your budget. But the idea is to find the right combination among the 4Cs. 

STEP 3: Choose the Diamond Shape

This is a matter of preference. Some like the classic shape, which is also the most common. While others are more open to different shapes or fancy shapes. There’s the princess cut, cushion, and oval, among others. 

Take note that different shapes also mean different price tags. Round shapes usually cost higher than fancy shapes but don’t differ significantly. 

STEP 4: Choose the Clarity

The next step is choosing the clarity grade. Remember that some diamond flaws cannot be seen by the naked eye, while some are visible. This depends on your budget. There are lots of clarity diamonds with flaws that simply cannot be noticed unless under a microscope. 

If this is the case, what you can do is save money to be invested in a larger diamond with a higher color and the lowest grade. So your choice will depend upon the priority you put on purchasing this piece of jewelry. 

STEP 5: Choose the Cut

Do not compromise on this. The right cut is the most important factor as this assesses how well proportioned it is and how well it interacts with light. 

Look for a cut that has more brightness, fire, and brilliance compared to one that has a poorer cut. The three important factors that make a big impact on the diamond’s cut: 

First is the proportions, which pertain to the ratios and sizes of a diamond’s depth, width, and table. Second is the symmetry, which is the precision of the finished diamond’s shape, as well as facet placements. Finally, there’s the polish. This is the overall degree of smoothness of the diamond’s facets and how this affects its shine and glow. 

So, Buy Natural Or Buy Lab-Diamond? 

Know that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. The answer is a very personal one and will depend on your priority, the preference of your loved one, and course, your budget. In the end, though, it’s not the size of the rock or going for the most expensive or cheapest lab grown diamonds. It’s the love, commitment, and dedication you’re willing to give to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

If you want more ideas on the kind of diamonds to buy, check out our post, Wearing History: How to Buy Old European Cut Diamonds.