Introduction
There has been a lot of recent talk about lab grown diamonds. Many new online players like Emori, Fiona and Avtaara are increasingly becoming popular online shopping destinations for lab grown diamond jewelry. But what are these lab diamonds, and how do they differ from natural diamonds? In this article, let us dive deep into this subject.
Lab grown diamonds vs. natural diamonds:
Lab grown diamonds are artificially made diamonds in the laboratory.
Formation and origin
Lab grown diamonds are made in a controlled environment, with all the properties of natural diamonds being the same. A small diamond seed is used for the development of lab grown diamonds. Two main techniques are used to grow these diamonds: Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).
- Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)- A high-pressure press is used to hold a tiny seed diamond. A catalyst is added, along with a carbon source. The seed is exposed to high temperature and pressure in the press, replicating conditions found deep within the Earth. A bigger diamond is formed around the seed as the carbon dissolves and crystallizes.
- High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)- The diamond seed is subjected to extreme temperatures, replicating the Earth's mantle, in a pressurized chamber that contains a carbon source. The diamond grows gradually as the carbon dissolves and crystallizes around the seed. The pressure is released once the diamond reaches the required size and is gradually cooled. After that, the rough diamond is cut and polished to improve its shape and clarity.
Physical and chemical properties
The interesting fact here is that lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are identical when it comes to physical, optical, and chemical properties. By looking at a diamond, you cannot determine whether it is natural or lab grown. Be it the hardness of the diamond, the brilliance, or the visual characteristics like the cut and colour of the stone, lab grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds.
Ethical and environmental concerns
On the subject of environmental effects, the process of growing lab grown diamonds is less dangerous than diamond mining. Natural diamond mining can result in habitat disruption, deforestation, and other ecological issues. Lab grown diamonds are environment-friendly. Since they are lab made, there is no mining involved. In addition, they require less energy and water. Compared to the more power-intensive method of mining natural diamonds, producing laboratory-grown diamonds generally results in lower carbon emissions.
Economical concerns
The introduction of lab-grown diamonds has sparked discussions on the impact on the diamond market and the economies of nations heavily dependent on diamond mining. While natural diamonds remain valuable due to their scarcity, more and more people are looking to buy lab grown diamonds. Diamond manufacturers must eventually adapt to the growing demand. Some worry that this may lead to job cuts in the mining industry, while others believe it could open up new opportunities for growth.
Cost
Lab diamonds are much more affordable than natural diamonds. Natural diamonds are highly priced because of their limited availability, expensive mining techniques, excessive demand, exceptional rarity issues, and market demand-supply dynamics. On the other hand, lab diamonds are less steeply priced due to their lean delivery chain. Lab grown diamonds cost 1/10th the price of natural diamonds. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who are looking to buy big diamond jewellery without burning their pockets.
Best brands to buy diamond jewellery:
If you are looking to buy diamond jewellery online, below are our top choices that will offer you a wide range of options, good quality, and certified products:
- For natural diamond jewellery:
- Caratlane - Backed by Tanishq’s reputation, Caratlane is recognized for its extensive collection, user-friendly interface, and the ability to customize jewelry.
- Bluestone - The platform allows customers to choose from a wide selection of designs, and its user-friendly interface and transparent policies contribute to its popularity among online shoppers.
- Melorra - Melorra is recognized for its contemporary and lightweight diamond jewelry designs. The brand caters to modern tastes and frequently updates its collections to align with fashion trends.
- Candere - Candere offers traditional and contemporary designs, along with the trust associated with the Kalyan Jewellers legacy.
- Kuber Box - KuberBox specializes in diamond and gemstone jewelry.
- For lab grown diamond jewellery:
- EMORI - Emori offers customers a wide selection of designs along with a user-friendly website and reasonable product pricing. They are popular for their superior customer experience and high quality products.
- Fiona diamonds - Fiona diamonds is recognized for its extensive collection of over 3000 designs and their offline centres, which provide a massive stock that is ready to ship.
- House of Quadri - House of Quadri is known for its designer and modern jewelry designs, especially rings and earrings. The brand caters to young Indian women who are modern and fashion forward.
- Avtaara - One of the earliest brands in the lab grown space in India, Avtaara, is known for its customization and quality.
- Jewel Box - Jewel Box offers a wide selection of designs that are lightweight and budget friendly.
Conclusion
To conclude, the above are some of the key differences between lab grown and natural diamonds. In addition, the lab grown diamond industry is at a nascent stage of innovation. The jewelry industry is continuously seeing new tangibles in lab diamonds. Various size and color variants are possible in lab grown diamonds, which were unheard of in natural stones. Given the variety, designers and producers can experiment with unique and unusual designs.