Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds
Whether to buy a lab-created or natural diamond is a crucial consideration when looking for a diamond ring. For this reason, you should know the differences between the two to make an informed choice.
What Is A Lab-Created Diamond?
It is like a natural diamond, only that it’s grown in a lab instead of growing naturally. You will not notice any visual difference between natural and lab-created diamonds. Their sparkle, color, and clarity are the same, and both can come in various shapes and sizes.
Lab diamonds are created through High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT), which involves recreating the same high temperature and high-pressure conditions as when creating natural diamonds.
Some manufacturers also use the Chemical Vapor Deposition method for creating lab diamonds. This involves splitting carbon-rich gas molecules into hydrogen and carbon atoms and then mixing the atoms with diamond seeds. The result is a square-shaped diamond crystal.
What’s The Difference Between Lab and Real Diamonds?
You can’t see the differences between these diamonds with your naked eye. However, while natural diamonds have small nitrogen amounts, lab-created ones don’t have any amount of nitrogen. It’s one way that gemologists identify whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown.
Additionally, natural diamonds form under the pressure of the earth’s crust over many years. They’re then mined, cut, and polished. Lab-created diamonds are subjected to the same conditions in a laboratory setting. Therefore, reducing the time the diamond takes to grow from years to months.
Are Lab Diamonds Fake?
Lab-created diamonds are also real diamonds despite being man-made. Manufacturers use pure crystallized carbon, which is also found in natural diamonds. Plus, these diamonds are also hard, just like natural diamonds.
Both types have a Mohs scale hardness rating of 10, and they both shine, sparkle, and offer the same clarity and brilliance.
Lab Vs. Natural Diamonds: Which Should You Buy?
As we’ve already mentioned, you can’t spot any physical difference between the two diamond types. So, the right one for you will depend on your preference. When deciding which type to choose, consider:
Your Budget – lab-grown diamonds are about 30-60% cheaper than natural ones even though they’re of the same grade. Natural diamonds are expensive as their supply is limited.
Conclusion
There isn’t a visual difference between lab and natural diamonds. So, people won’t know which you are wearing unless you tell them. When deciding between the two, consider your budget and whether you’ll want to sell your diamond later.
