As demand for responsibly sourced gems continues to rise, lab grown diamonds have become a captivating alternative. It is no longer a secret that these sustainable diamonds are creating their charm for consumers and jewellers alike for their eco-friendly and affordable characteristics.
What are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Through cutting-edge technological innovation, lab grown diamonds are grown in labs and hold identical chemical and physical properties to mined diamonds. There are two methods to produce sustainable diamonds, CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature).
With their unique features, lab grown diamonds have provided consumers with a more affordable and luxurious option, opening up new promises for those who desire diamonds without the expensive tag.
One of the appealing factors of these eco-friendly diamonds is their affordability and the significant price difference by eliminating mining costs, thus causing a lesser environmental impact.
With these aspirational offerings, nowadays, consumers are making conscious buying decisions and looking upon sustainable products such as lab grown diamonds.
Many must be wondering about the appearance, uniqueness and other qualities indistinguishable from mined diamonds, surprising many as it is impossible to identify them from the naked eye.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified?
Renowned diamond grading institutions like IGI (International Gemological Institute) & SGL (Solitaire Gemological Laboratories) provide independent third-party certification, which clearly states that they are lab grown diamonds alongside all the other usual grading details required for diamonds. These institutes are renowned for grading mined diamonds; therefore, lab grown diamond disclosures from these bodies further assure consumers of their purchase.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Durable?
There have been numerous assumptions and myths about diamonds' characteristics regarding their hardness and durability. Diamonds are considered to be the hardest material in the gem world.
Natural Diamonds are rated ten on the Mohs scale of hardness; likewise, lab grown diamonds, particularly CVD diamonds, are also rated 10, whereas HPHT diamonds are 9.75. Lab grown diamonds grown through the CVD growing process offer the purest type of diamonds classified as Type IIA and have better shine and brilliance.
The physical properties of lab grown CVD diamonds fall well within the range of natural diamonds in terms of hardness, thermal conductivity, strength, etc. Therefore, lab grown diamonds are as hard and durable as natural diamonds and exhibit the same brilliance when cut as a gemstone.
On the other hand, lab grown diamonds produced through the HPHT process have metal impurities and therefore are not the purest and not classified as Type IIA. Type IIA diamonds are characterised by high purity, which consists of low nitrogen, and only 2% of natural diamonds are type IIA. To name a few, there are world-famous Type IIA diamonds which include, Koh-i-Noor, The Blue Hope, The Dresden Green, Orlov and many others.
Why are Consumers Shifting to Lab Grown Diamonds?
In a way, lab grown diamonds offer an affordable and sustainable alternative to natural diamonds, providing the same quality and visual appearance.
They have simplified luxury, making it accessible to a wider range of consumers who desire the elegance and beauty of diamonds. With ongoing technological upgradation, lab grown diamonds are improving in quality, expanding design possibilities, and thus becoming more cost-effective, ensuring a brighter and sustainable future.
As consumers prioritise sustainability and ethical factors, lab grown diamonds fit best as a guilt-free option. They are revolutionising the jewellery market by transforming consumer perceptions towards luxury. Therefore, eco-friendly diamonds produced in labs are as beautiful and durable as natural diamonds, and they are expected to fill an important market position in the near future.
