It’s said that a diamond is a woman’s best friend, and we couldn’t agree more. Diamonds' timeless beauty and craftsmanship are considered the epitome of love. However, more often the beauty of lab-grown diamonds is overshadowed because of the myths created about them.
Unfortunately, the true value of lab-grown diamonds is misunderstood by people, but not anymore. In today’s post, we’ll debunk the myths about lab-grown diamonds so you can shop around confidently without reservations. Let the truth be told:
Myth#1- Lab diamonds are fake
Indeed marketing plays a pivotal role in building consumer perception. Hence, paid marketing campaigns and strong terminologies used to devalue lab-grown diamonds like synthetic and fake diamonds have manipulated the minds of the consumer. It has confused them because buyers are unsure if lab-grown diamonds are a good investment. But don’t worry; we have you covered. It’s time to debunk this myth once and for all.
Lab diamonds are real, like the minded diamonds. The difference only lies in their formation. Mined diamonds are formed in Earth's deep mines, while lab diamonds are made in the laboratory. Though their formation is different, they are identical. Both of them are made from carbon and have the same optical, chemical and physical properties. Hence, they are definitely not synthetic or stimulants.
Stimulant diamonds such as Moissanite or cubic zirconia that imitate the look of mined or lab-grown diamonds have a different chemical structure. They are created using silicon carbide and zirconium dioxide.
Myth#2- Lab-grown diamonds are not durable
It is yet another powerful marketing scheme to mislead consumers and prohibit them from buying lab diamonds. The saying diamonds are forever is used to indicate their durability and strength. It is often misused by making consumers believe that lab diamonds are not as durable as mined diamonds. However, that is false. It’s because a diamond’s durability is defined by the shared property composition. So, as both diamond types are made from carbon, they have the same characteristics, and hence durability.
Furthermore, as the lab-grown diamond has the same mined diamond carbon crystallisation, rest assured it doesn’t fade or crack. To emphasize it more, a diamond’s hardness or resistance is determined by its ability to resist scratches or scrapes. A lab-grown diamond is chip-resistant like a mined diamond because of the strong bond between its atoms. It also has the stability and strength to survive chemical changes and temperature fluctuations. Moreover, it is backed by the certification which indicates and guarantees the diamond’s process and all that it has been through before it is sold to the end consumer.
Myth #3- Comparatively lab-grown diamonds are cheaper because of low quality
Let’s bust this misconception created about lab-grown diamonds. As we have already dwelled on the fact that both types of diamonds have the same chemical structures, we focus on the cut and polishing of the diamonds at this point. Lab diamonds are cut, designed and polished in the same standard way as those extracted from the Earth. So, it is important to understand that lab-grown diamonds cost less because of the lower production cost, not the low quality.
Though the facilities and machinery used for lab diamonds are costly, they do not rival the traditional mining cost. It is because the cost of mining is way more expensive. It includes mining equipment, distribution cost, transportation, numerous miners, and support staff.
Needless to say, the lower cost of input in creating lab diamonds is a huge benefit for diamond jewellery buyers. Therefore, when you shop for a lab-grown diamond, you pay nearly 50 percent less than a mined diamond with the same dimensions and cut.
And if you’re wondering about flaws, nearly all diamonds, whether created in the lab or formed from the Earth’s surface, have flaws. In fact, if you look at mined or lab diamonds from the jeweller’s lens, you will see visible flaws. No diamond is flawless. In fact, in the jewellery industry, these diamonds are referred to as inclusions.
Inclusions are defined as small irregularities and imperfections in diamonds that occur during the process of formation. However, the number or type of inclusions in the diamond can affect the quality and interfere with its sparkle. Therefore, whether you buy a mined or lab-grown diamond, make sure to purchase from a reputed jeweller known for their designs and quality craftsmanship.
Myth# 4- Diamonds created in the lab are not eco-friendly
Increasing air pollution and wastage of water is among the leading causes that negatively affect the Earth. The good news is that the process of creating lab diamonds is actually more sustainable compared to mined diamonds. Here’s how:
According to a report shared by the Greener Diamond, approximately 1,750 tons of Earth is unfortunately extracted to find the simplest 1. oct mined diamond. Wait, there’s more! In another study published by Frost & Sullivan, lab diamonds need seven times less water than those excavated from the Earth. To break it down, it means that if it takes 70 litres of water/carat for lab diamonds, Earth-mined diamonds will take 480 litres of water.
In addition to this, diamonds grown in labs produce nearly 0.028g of carbon emissions/carat, whilst mined diamonds generate roughly 37,000g/ carat. In this way, diamonds created in the lab are real and eco-friendly. So, it is simply a myth that lab-grown diamonds are not sustainable.
Moreover, the fogginess around the lab diamond sustainability is much owed to the HPHT (a High-Pressure, High Temperature) method. The method simply mimics the natural process of the formation of diamonds in the Earth’s crust. Though the process uses a lot of power, it’s not more than the mined diamonds. Additionally, with technological advances, new methods of creating diamonds in the laboratory are being introduced. One such method is CVD (Chemical Vapour Distillation) which requires less energy than the former process – HPHT.
If you have heard other things regarding lab-grown diamonds, contact us. We’d be happy to start a conversation with you and dispel myths about lab diamonds. At Varoujan Jewellers, we want our clients to feel confident while shopping for diamonds for themselves and their loved ones. Reach out to us today. We are a trusted and reputable jeweller in Australia known for our unique designs, impeccable quality and superior customer service. We provide the widest range of white and coloured diamonds. We also specialise in bespoke pieces. Shop with us now!