Henry JohnsonFor thousands of years, diamonds have been mined from the Earth where they naturally formed. In the middle of the 20th century, however, an alternative to naturally occurring diamonds was created. Rather than mining diamonds, it was discovered that stones that have essentially the same physical properties and chemical composition as natural diamonds could be made in a laboratory. Such lab-grown diamonds have quickly risen in popularity due to the myriad of advantages they provide. To learn about some of the key benefits of lab-grown diamonds over natural diamonds, continue reading.
The Price
One of the most notable benefits of lab-grown diamonds over natural diamonds is their price. Naturally occurring diamonds can typically take over a billion years to form, whereas lab-grown diamonds can be created in just six to ten weeks. Because lab-grown diamonds are much easier to come by, they generally cost around 40 to 60 percent less than mined diamonds. As such, they are a great option for those looking for a more budget-friendly gemstone.
Purity and Quality
Despite costing far less than mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds typically have better purity and quality. Because lab-grown diamonds were created in a laboratory environment rather than the depths of the earth, they do not have any dirt or impurities ingrained into them. Furthermore, due to the carefully controlled conditions under which they were made, lab-grown diamonds have fewer defects in their crystal structure. As a result, lab-grown diamonds generally have higher purity levels which makes them brighter, more sparkly, and overall more aesthetically pleasing.
Ethical Origins
Aside from their cost and quality benefits, lab-grown diamonds are also more ethical. Unfortunately, many diamonds have a dark past, often coming from conflicted regions where they are the product of child labor, human rights violations, and poor working conditions. In many cases, the origins of mined diamonds are vague and difficult to track. When it comes to lab-grown diamonds, however, the origin is always clear and trackable.
Sustainability
Another benefit of lab-grown diamonds is their sustainability. As previously stated, naturally occurring diamonds can take billions of years to form, while lab-grown diamonds only take weeks. Further, the production of lab-grown diamonds is far less damaging to the environment than mining, which requires the use of copious quantities of fossil fuel. As the demand for diamonds continues to increase, it’s clear that lab-grown diamonds are the more sustainable option.
