The Cut Jewellery’s Talitha Cummins On The Appeal Of Lab-Grown Diamonds
A girl's best friend
Spoiler alert: to the naked eye, lab-grown and mined diamonds are nearly impossible to distinguish. Both are genuine diamonds made of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure. They are indistinguishable without using specialised equipment as they share the same brilliance, hardness, and refractive index. The only way gemologists can tell them apart is by using sophisticated tools like spectroscopy or viewing the stone’s growth structure under a microscope. With lab-grown diamonds becoming popular for their affordability and ethical appeal, buyers are increasingly curious about what sets them apart from mined diamonds and how to identify them. Let’s explore why it is so hard to tell these diamonds apart and what actually separates the two.
A Matter Of Origins
The main difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds lies in their origin. Mined diamonds form naturally, deep within the earth under extreme pressure over billions of years. Volcanic eruptions bring them to the surface of the earth where they are then, of course, mined. Lab diamonds in contrast are created in controlled lab conditions over a matter of weeks. They are either made through high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) methods or chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Despite these different beginnings, both types result in identical carbon crystals with the same physical and optical properties. So how can you tell the difference between the two in this instance? Have a look at their official certification paperwork.
Grading And Quality: The Four C’s
Both lab and mined diamonds are held to the exact same grading criteria. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institution (IGI) certify lab diamonds to the same standards as mined diamonds. They are graded using the same four Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Whether grown in nature or in a lab, both types of diamonds possess the same sparkle and durability, making it impossible to visually tell them apart without expert assistance.
How Gemologists Tell The Difference
Speaking of expert assistance, while consumers are unable to distinguish a diamond’s origin by looking at it, gemologists can identify a diamond’s origin by examining specific microscopic features and using advanced technology. Lab-grown diamonds may reveal microscopic metallic inclusions or unique growth structures under magnification, especially in CVD-grown stones. Tools like spectroscopy and UV fluorescence detectors help identify subtle differences in atomic structure and fluorescence patterns, distinguishing lab-grown diamonds from their natural counterparts. These subtle and microscopic differences, once again, are invisible to the naked eye.
Shifting Perspectives On Value
Lab-grown diamonds are becoming the choice for many buyers who appreciate the financial and ethical benefits they offer. Unlike previous generations, who often saw mined diamonds as timeless heirlooms, today’s buyers–lawyers, doctors and professionals of all kinds – are more practical with their jewellery investments. Many find they’d rather allocate the money saved on a lab-grown diamond toward travel, property or other meaningful experiences. Couples are choosing lab-grown stones to commemorate their engagements without the high cost, keeping the symbolism without compromising on beauty.
In the end, lab-grown and mined diamonds are virtually identical in appearance and quality, sharing the same sparkle, hardness and grading standards. However, their differences in origin and production have sparked a new way of thinking about diamonds among modern buyers. For those who value affordability and a lighter environmental impact, lab-grown diamonds offer an appealing alternative without sacrificing beauty or durability. Lab-grown diamonds are transforming the diamond industry, bridging the gap between luxury and sustainability, and giving buyers the freedom to choose a diamond that reflects their values and lifestyle.
How Each Generation Views Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Brief History
Traditional Values and Legacy
For Baby Boomers and Gen X, mined diamonds are prized as symbols of tradition and enduring value. The rarity of mined stones evokes a sense of legacy, making these diamonds cherished heirlooms meant to be passed down through generations.
Ethical Appeal
Millennials and Gen Z, on the other hand, are drawn to lab-grown diamonds for their ethical production and affordability. For these generations, the diamond’s origin doesn’t detract from its beauty or meaning – instead, it enhances it by reflecting values of social responsibility.
A Cross-Generational Shift
Even Baby Boomers are beginning to reconsider lab-grown diamonds, seeing their practicality and lower environmental impact as positives. As these generations become more informed about lab-grown options, lab-grown diamonds are crossing generational lines, blending beauty with a more modern sense of value.
