Diamonds have been captivating people for centuries, exuding a sense of sheer opulence that no other gemstone has ever been able to match. Long associated with romance, wealth and all-round extravagance, they are the go-to choice for engagement rings and jewellery gifts for special occasions of all kinds – but their reputation has been marred by the impact of the methods used to mine them.
With links to environmental degradation and ethical concerns, for some, it seems they have lost their shine. But what could possibly replace them? Well, the good news is that lab-grown diamonds have entered stage left and are now offering a more ethical alternative to these breath-takingly beautiful stones.
You could be forgiven for being skeptical that anything lab-grown could possibly emulate the show-stopping beauty of a real diamond, but you might be surprised that these modern marvels offer the same brilliance and durability as mined diamonds but with a cleaner, more sustainable footprint.
As technology continues to advance, lab-grown diamonds have reached new heights in quality, making them an increasingly popular choice for the discerning buyer. Here, we take a closer look at the best lab-grown diamonds money can buy and why they are revolutionising the jewellery industry in the most wonderful of ways.
The science behind lab-grown diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced technological processes that replicate the natural conditions under which diamonds form. There are two primary methods are High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
The HPHT method is designed to mimic the high pressure and elevated temperature conditions deep within the Earth’s to allow lab-grown diamonds to be created in as realistic a way as possible. A diamond seed is placed in a carbon-rich environment and subjected to the same extreme pressure and temperature it would be in the natural world, causing carbon atoms to crystallise and form a rather impressive diamond.
The CVD method differs slightly in that a diamond seed is instead placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases, which are then ionised into plasma. This, in turn, causes carbon atoms to deposit onto the seed and grow layer by layer into a diamond.
Both methods produce diamonds that are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds, to the point where they can even be graded by the same standards (the 4 Cs: Carat, Cut, Colour, and Clarity) used for natural, mined diamonds.
Why lab grown diamonds are a cut above
The main reason lab-grown diamonds are enjoying such a surge in popularity at present is of course, the freedom they offer from the ethical issues associated with traditional diamond mining. Purchasing mined diamonds has long come with a moral dilemma attached, with poor working conditions and child labour common and the issue of blood diamonds – which are mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments – proving increasingly hard to ignore.
Lab-grown diamonds can be purchased without these concerns attached, making them a more conscious choice – and as it happens, a more environmentally friendly one, too. The environmental impact of lab-grown diamonds is significantly lower because the processes used require less water, generate fewer carbon emissions, and avoid the ecological damage caused by mining activities.
While money is no object for many people who buy diamonds and price is of little concern, lab-grown diamonds are typically 20-40 percent less expensive than their natural counterparts. The benefit of this is that it means buyers can invest in larger or higher-quality stones for less, and also makes diamonds more accessible to those who would have otherwise had to choose a lesser-quality stone.
The scarcity of mined diamonds is all part of their allure, but it also means that they are somewhat limited – so it isn’t always possible to find exactly what you’re looking for. With lab-grown diamonds, ongoing technological innovations have made it possible to select a diamond in a broad choice of sizes, cuts and colours, making it easier than ever to get your hands on the perfect fit. Not only that, but they can also be created in rare colours such as blue, yellow, and pink, making the process of shopping for diamonds a more personalised and bespoke experience than ever before,
The bottom line
As the world becomes more ethically and environmentally conscious, the discerning consumer is increasingly seeking options in all fields that align with their personal values and that allow them to make more conscious decisions about how they spend their money.
In the opulent world of jewellery, lab-grown diamonds represent a significant leap forward in the jewellery industry, offering ethical, environmental, and economic benefits without compromising on beauty or quality. Now indistinguishable from mined diamonds, they’re the perfect choice for engagement rings and other show-stopping pieces of diamond jewellery, and one day, could replace mined stones entirely.
