When it comes to diamonds, man made diamonds compared to mined diamonds there are two main categories: natural and man made. The former is sourced from the Earth and can be traced back to its formation billions of years ago under intense heat and pressure deep inside the planet’s mantle.
Are lab created diamonds worth the same as mined diamonds?
The latter, also known as lab grown diamonds, are manufactured in a laboratory from a seed that contains pure carbon. The process mimics the same environment of the Earth that diamonds form in, using one of two methods: HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapor deposition).
Lab grown diamonds are less rare and therefore cost more than their mined counterparts but as advances in technology continue to improve, prices are slowly coming down. You can now find a 1 carat investment-grade lab-grown diamond for less than half the price of a comparable mined diamond.
Whether you choose a natural or man made diamond, it will have a lot in common with the real thing: brilliant, beautiful, durable and conflict-free. Expert gemologists can’t tell the difference.
While the industry has long been under attack by environmental and humanitarian concerns, lab diamonds have been growing in popularity with young buyers due to their cost-effectiveness, transparency and ethical origins. The trend is set to continue as more jewellers launch their own labs and as more people are concerned about the impacts of mining on the environment. In addition, lab-grown diamonds are ten times more durable than mined diamonds, so they’re a great alternative for wedding rings and other precious items that will be handed down from generation to generation.