The Pros and Cons of Choosing Lab Grown Diamonds (And What to Look Out For)
In the past few years,
lab grown diamonds have gained popularity thanks to increasing production and improving quality.
Better yet. They are accessible for just about any budget, and allow you to upgrade to
designer settings, bigger carats and better cut quality - huge advantages!
French-Set Diamond Engagement Ring
However, there are several factors beyond affordability to consider when deciding whether lab grown diamonds are the right choice for you.
In this blog, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of lab-grown diamonds, as well as some important things to remember when shopping for them. Whether you are a first-time diamond buyer or an experienced jewelry enthusiast, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
An Overview: Pros and Cons of Lab Grown Diamonds vs Earth Mined Diamonds
The demand for lab grown diamonds is increasing as more consumers become aware of their presence in the market. When cut well, they can be as beautiful as natural diamonds. They possess essentially the same physical properties and are comparable in durability and suitability for everyday use.
Synthetic diamonds have certainly found a place in the jewelry industry- but what are the benefits and drawbacks of their emergence? Listed below are their pros and cons, as well as how they compare to earth-mined diamonds.
Pros of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Less expensive than natural diamonds making it possible for you to buy bigger and/or better quality diamonds
- Savings realized from purchasing lab-grown can be put towards your dream designer settings
- More affordable colored diamond options as natural fancy colored diamonds are extremely rare and expensive
- Less expensive to insure, despite fewer options available
- Lab grown diamonds become available much faster than naturally mined diamonds, as they require significantly less time to produce
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
1.00 D VVS1 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,600
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1.00 E VVS2 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,275
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1.01 F VVS2 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,095
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1.01 D VVS1 Round Ideal
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$1,625
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Cons of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Compared to earth mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds have no resale value since there is no supply constraint
- A lab diamond is not rare and has little emotional significance
- Often bought just for their conflict-free promise, despite the fact that most of the industry adheres to the Kimberley Process - including naturally mined diamonds
- Lab grown diamonds are still a matter of doubt for some customers. Generally, people consider natural diamonds to be more desirable (read on to find out why this is not true).
Pros of Earth Mined Natural Diamonds
- There are a finite supply of diamonds, so their rarity is innate
- A mining community’s economy benefits from it as a valuable natural resource
- There is an emotional value to gems produced by nature
- Diamonds have a thriving secondary market with a stored value in them
NATURAL DIAMONDS
1.150 G VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$9,450
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1.158 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$9,950
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1.130 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$9,750
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1.137 F VS2 Round Ideal
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$7,750
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Cons of Earth Mined Natural Diamonds
- More expensive than lab grown diamonds
Notable Pros of Lab Grown Diamonds
Essentially The Same Chemical, Physical and Optical Properties as Natural Diamonds
1.57 ct F VS1 Round Cut Precision Lab Grown Diamond
A major advantage of lab grown diamonds is that they’re created by using innovative technology that mimics diamond formation. It’s a tremendous pro that lab-grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds.
Even a gemologist are challenged to be able to distinguish between lab grown and natural diamonds.
A sophisticated market characterized by high-quality stones is expected to emerge as lab-grown diamond production increases. There are already jewelers like Whiteflash paving the way; with every
lab-grown diamond purchased from Whiteflash, you are getting the best of the best in lab diamonds; such as certified Hearts and Arrows Ideal Cut at the top of the scale in terms of color and clarity (DEFG color VVS1 -VS1) with no post-growth treatments applied.
Faster Availability
Natural diamonds are scarce on Earth and are difficult and expensive to recover and make available for sale, but lab grown diamonds are now being produced by dozens of laboratories with rapidly advancing technology, making it possible to create more and bigger synthetic diamonds at lower costs.
The production of lab-grown diamonds can take as little as a few weeks - a major benefit for those wanting access to diamonds faster than ever. Due to the controlled conditions in laboratories and factories, we are able to harvest the beauty of lab diamonds more readily and predictably. As a result, lab diamonds in a wide variety of shapes and sizes are much more accessible than natural diamonds.
Cost Savings
1.5ct F VS1 Round Precision Lab Created Diamond
A major advantage of lab grown diamonds is the savings that opens up a world of possibilities.
In many cases,
people opt for larger diamonds with the cost savings, overlooking the possibility of acquiring an exquisite designer setting to make their lab grown diamond pieces unique. The price of natural mined diamonds might make it impossible to afford a beautiful designer setting, but lab grown diamonds provide for that outstanding opportunity.
Using a lab-created diamond is possible in any jewelry piece as long as the design allows for a diamond. We feature the finest
Designer Engagement brands including Tacori, Simon G, Verragio, Ritani, Vatche, Danhov, A.Jaffe and Benchmark.
A Step Up from Simulants
Even though
cubic zirconia and
moissanite may look like diamonds to those unfamiliar with them, they are chemically different, and neither are as durable or have quite the light performance as real diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds are a major improvement over diamond simulants such as cubic zirconias which are now ubiquitous in costume jewelry. Lab grown diamonds will fill a role in higher-end fashion jewelry, and are a welcome addition to the jewelry industry in general.
Despite the sentimental and emotional appeal of natural diamonds, some buyers see lab-grown diamonds as a compelling value proposition. It is possible for a young couple to use a lab-grown diamond as a temporary "placeholder" until they can afford a natural diamond also, this is a plus for those wanting diamonds on a budget.
3 Things to Look Out For When Purchasing Lab Grown Diamonds
It is clear that lab-grown diamonds have a place in commerce, both in the field of technology and in the field of jewelry. But what should you look out for?
Throughout the years, Whiteflash has always been committed to delivering natural mined diamonds of the highest quality with the highest light performance direct to the consumer with full transparency and accountability. So it is in our best interest to share some advice and expert tips for those looking to purchase lab grown diamonds.
1. Certification + The 4Cs
Make sure any lab grown diamond you are considering is certified - they are graded by the same independent gemological laboratories that also certify mined diamonds. For example,
GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
With so many consumers purchasing online now, it is vital to
learn about labs, their specialties, and especially their reputations. Each lab created diamond we offer here at Whiteflash comes with a grading report from
IGI Laboratories verifying that they are “As Grown” with no post-growth treatments. Rounds in our Precision Lab brand also feature the IGI Hearts and Arrows report.
Besides determining the quality of your diamond, you will also see that the 4 C's have a significant impact on its price. If you’re not sure where to start, we have created a handy beginners guide to the 4Cs on the education section of our site.
2. Environmentally Friendly Claims
Lab-grown diamonds aren't the only conflict-free diamonds. You should be vigilant to any claims from jewelers that it is a conflict-free alternative to earth-mined diamonds - especially if it is the core of their marketing.
As in today's market, most diamonds are mined according to the Kimberley Process, which has been highly effective in preventing conflict diamonds from entering the supply chain since early 2000.
As well as supporting organizations like Diamond Development Initiative and United Nations Global Compact, we remain committed to doing our part to ensure that the diamond industry remains equitable and sustainable. Our commitment is to accommodate all shoppers who love diamonds, and we understand that many shoppers consider the new lab grown diamonds a great alternative today.
It is important to do your research as a buyer and look into the validity of any claims made by jewelers on their social responsibility. In any case, it is the Whiteflash view to provide products that our customers seek. We are therefore proud to offer our own top quality brand of lab grown diamonds -
Precision Lab.
3. A Transparent & Honest Jeweler
Throughout our history, Whiteflash has been known for providing the finest
natural diamonds from Mother Earth. As we strive to meet our customer's needs, we are committed to providing diamonds of the highest quality.
It's true that lab diamonds are a viable and real way to attain the beauty and elegance of diamonds. While there are some very real disadvantages when it comes to stored value, to accommodate customers looking for lab grown diamonds, Whiteflash offers the finest lab grown diamonds in our
Precision Lab category.
As experts in cut quality, we stock only the best lab diamonds. Even compared to most natural diamonds on the market today, Whiteflash Precision Lab-Grown Diamonds offer greater light performance as well as higher, color and clarity.
Whether you're looking for something specific or something different, please inquire. In response to a client's request, we offer a wide range of lab grown diamonds.
Please
feel free to contact us for any guidance needed or help placing an order, or if you would like to know more about Whiteflash diamonds.