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HeartA Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Lab-Created Diamonds
Dec 03, 2022
Luxury jewelry isn't just about luxury anymore, as increasing numbers of consumers are expressing concern for the environment. In fact, a 2020 study concluded that 45 percent of consumers are interested in environmentally responsible brands.
Another study shows that about 70 percent of millennial consumers showed interest in lab-created diamonds and said they would consider buying them for an engagement ring.
More than just luxury and exquisiteness, more consumers are now opting for ethical and sustainable high-end jewelry that will make them feel good about the environment as well.
The question is, are sustainable lab-created diamonds really worth it?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about lab-created diamonds and how they are made. We’ll also discuss some of their pros and cons to help you decide if a lab-created diamond is an ideal choice for you.
What Is A Sustainable Lab-Created Diamond?
Sustainable lab-created diamonds are ethically sourced and produced in a laboratory in compliance with existing environmental standards. As opposed to mined diamonds, lab-created diamonds are not extracted deep from the earth, and their production does not have a negative impact on our natural resources.
To date, lab-created diamonds are the best alternative to traditionally mined diamonds. In the next section, we’ll explain why.
Lab-Created Diamonds Vs Mined Diamonds
Lab-created diamonds are not “fake” diamonds. In a chemical sense, they are considered “real” diamonds, except that they are synthetically generated in a laboratory. However, they should not be confused with synthetic diamond substitutes such as moissanite and zirconia, which are made using completely different elements and are not as durable as natural and lab-created diamonds.
Lab-created diamonds are manufactured to completely mimic a mined diamond’s appearance and structure, and they are impossible to tell apart without an expert evaluation. How do lab-created diamonds measure up in comparison with mined diamonds?
Chemical composition
Contrary to what many people believe, diamonds are not 100 percent pure carbon diamonds, which are rare to find.
Most mined diamonds used in luxury jewelry today are made up of 99.95 percent carbon and 0.05 percent mineral impurities such as nitrogen or boron, giving them their natural color.
Lab-created diamonds have completely the same chemical composition and crystal structure, called diamond cubic, as mined diamonds.
Durability
As lab-created diamonds have the same composition and crystal arrangement as mined diamonds, they are durable and will generally last a lifetime. Both are well-known for their scratch and damage-resistant properties, making them suitable for daily and long-term wearing.
Production
Mined diamonds are made billions of years several miles beneath the earth’s surface and are considered rare. Comparatively, lab-created diamonds can be generated in a lab in just a month and mass-produced depending on demand. The artificial production of diamonds is also significantly cheaper and requires less energy and resources than the extraction of mined diamonds.
Aesthetic features
Lab-created diamonds are processed to look identical to mined diamonds. Their crystal structures are the same, and they sparkle as beautifully as mined diamonds.
In terms of colors, lab-created diamonds can offer various color options that are rare to find in mined diamonds. Certified high-quality lab-created diamonds will not change their appearance, and their colors and brilliance will not fade over time.
Price
Because of their faster production time and less energy consumption, lab-created diamonds are significantly cheaper than mined diamonds. Lab-created diamonds can cost up to 40 to 50 percent less than mined diamonds, making them a popular choice among couples and diamond lovers looking for a cheaper alternative to mined diamonds.
Certification
Lab-created diamonds undergo the same evaluation methodology as mined diamonds and can be certified as real diamonds depending on their physical and chemical features. However, lab-created are graded differently and will receive a “lab-created diamond” certification.
Through thorough and specific evaluation procedures, authorities such as International Gemological Institute or IGI can differentiate between the two and provide accurate diamond grading and authenticity validation.
Sustainability
Mined diamonds are starting to gain negative traction due to their adverse implications on the environment. According to World Diamond Council, the impacts of most modern-day diamond mining practices are:
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Land disturbances;
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High energy use and excessive carbon emissions which can contribute to global warming in the long run;
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Waste generation such as oil, paper, metal, glass, and plastic waste; and
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Disturbance in the balance of ecosystem diversity.
Without proper management, traditional diamond mining methods will continue to be an environmental threat. This is where sustainability comes into the picture.
Eco-friendly lab-created diamonds provide a more sustainable option and eliminate the environmental effects of traditional diamond mining methods.
How Are Lab-Created Diamonds Made?
Sustainable lab-created diamonds are made using ethically sourced materials, advanced equipment, and efficient laboratory procedures that replicate how diamonds are made in a natural setting. To give you an idea, here is a general view of how diamonds are made in a laboratory:
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The process starts with the sourcing and preparation of a diamond seed and pure carbon.
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The tiny diamond seed is placed into a piece of carbon and sealed in a chamber or a diamond press machine, then exposed to temperatures of over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and around 700,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. This process resembles how carbon is heated and pressurized within the earth to create mined diamonds.
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After being heated and pressurized for a few days, carbon melts and forms a diamond crystal structure around the small diamond seed. After about 35 days, a rough diamond is formed.
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The rough, lab-created diamond is then cut into the right size and polished to achieve the desired finish.
Why Choose Lab-Created Diamonds
We’ve already shared with you some of the benefits of choosing lab-created over mined diamonds. Here we’ll talk more about the advantages of purchasing lab-created diamonds.
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Ethically sourced and socially responsible. Materials used to create lab-created diamonds are typically obtained in an ethical way. Lab-created diamonds are artificially generated in a laboratory by highly skilled scientists and engineers, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing that no miners were harmed and no labor rights were violated in the production of diamonds.
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Cheaper. Lab-created diamonds can cost 40 up to 50 percent cheaper but offer the same aesthetic appeal and durability as mined diamonds.
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Eco-friendly. The production of lab-created diamonds consumes less energy and resources and poses no ill effect on the environment.
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It can be mass-produced in a shorter time. Thanks to scientific and technological advancement, we no longer have to wait for years for diamonds to be naturally created deep in the earth.
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Available in more colors than mined diamonds. Some of the color options available for lab-created diamonds are pink, blue, purple, and green.
Final Thoughts
Lab-created diamonds are a practical and ethical choice for diamond lovers looking for an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to mined diamonds. Be sure to buy only from trusted and certified diamond producers, so you’ll know that you are getting ethically sourced, sustainable, and authentic lab-created diamonds that will last a lifetime.
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