Lab-Grown Diamond Rings & Wedding Bands: 5 Must-Knows
When it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands, lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular among couples.
They offer several advantages over natural diamonds, including being 100% conflict-free, less expensive, and consequently, giving you the opportunity to go bigger on carat size.
In this article, we will discuss tips to consider when purchasing a lab-grown diamond ring and wedding band.
1. What Are Lab Diamonds?
Lab diamonds, also known as lab-cultivated diamonds, are man-made diamonds that have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.
They are produced in a laboratory setting using cutting-edge tech processes that mimic the organic diamond-forming conditions within the Earth's mantle.
To create lab-grown diamonds, one must start with a pure carbon seed and apply one of the two primary methods for producing:
- High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
In the HPHT method, a small diamond seed is placed in a carbon-rich environment and subjected to extreme pressure and heat using giant cubic presses to stimulate growth.
In the CVD method, a diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber and exposed to a carbon-rich gas, which then forms layers on the seed to crystalize and become larger with time (weeks vs. billions of years compared to earth mined).
2. Lab Diamonds Are 100% Conflict-Free
Millennials and Gen Z buyers are increasingly concerned about the diamond mining industry, especially after the release of the movie "Blood Diamond" in 2006 featuring LeoDiCrapro and Djimon Hounsou.
Conflict diamonds have been drastically restrained since the implementation of The Kimberly Process — nevertheless, a large number of newlyweds are more mindful when it comes to their purchasing decisions.
As a result, many individuals opt for lab-grown diamonds, which provide a sense of peace of mind.
While it is true that some natural diamond suppliers operate with transparency and adhere to responsible sourcing, others have been associated with human rights abuses, environmental destruction, and conflict financing.
In contrast, lab-grown diamonds offer advantages in this regard since they do not involve mining and automatically eliminate the harsh working conditions associated with it.
This includes forced labor, child labor, and unsafe working conditions, which are prevalent in a considerable number of diamond mines around the world.
1.00 Ct Lab created diamond engagement ring — Ski Tip Solitaire
3. Are Lab Grown Diamonds Cheap?
Natural diamonds are often more expensive than lab-grown diamonds due to the complex supply chain and logistical costs involved.
This makes the production process for lab-diamonds more efficient and less costly. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds do not require the same supply chain and logistical costs associated with mining, which can further reduce the cost of production.
9-sister Contour Lab Diamond Wedding Ring
As a result, you can add extra stones to your lab created diamond engagement ring setting or lab diamond wedding bands for him and her!
4. You Can Go Bigger With A Lab Diamond
With lab-grown diamonds, couples can get a diamond that is larger in size or higher in quality than they might have been able to with a natural diamond. This means that you can get a larger and more beautiful diamond for your budget.
For example, a 2-carat lab-grown diamond is much cheaper than a 2-carat earth-mined diamond. Choosing a lab-grown diamond over a natural diamond can allow for a bigger diamond within a budget. Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 35-55% less than mined diamonds with similar qualities.
5. Do Lab Diamonds hold any resale value?
When it comes to resale value, lab-grown diamonds generally have a lower resale value than natural diamonds.
Natural diamonds have a long history of being valued as rare and precious, whereas lab-grown diamonds are relatively new and more easily obtainable.
However, as lab-grown diamonds become more accepted in the market, their resale value may increase over time.
It is important to note that the resale value of any diamond, whether lab-grown or natural, can be affected by various factors such as the diamond's quality, cut, and size, as well as market demand and fluctuations in the economy.
Aria Solitaire 1.0ct Lab Created Engagement Ring Beautifully matched with Tiara Ring
Creating A Custom Bridal Set: Let’s Match It Up!
A wedding set, also known as a bridal set, consists of both an engagement ring and a matching wedding ring that are worn together.
Matching your lab grown engagement ring with a lab-grown wedding band is a great way to ensure that your rings complement each other perfectly.
Since lab-grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, they are virtually indistinguishable from mined diamonds.
This means that your lab-grown engagement ring and wedding band will have the same sparkle and brilliance, making them a perfect match.
One of the benefits of choosing a lab-grown diamond for both your engagement ring and wedding band is that they are typically more affordable than their mined counterparts.
This can allow you to get a larger or more intricate design for your wedding band without breaking the bank, considering the hefty bills that can rack up for a wedding!
Conclusion
In a nutshell, while there are benefits to buying both mined and lab-grown diamonds, lab-created diamonds have the added advantage of being less expensive, offering a greater range of carat size or clarity grade for your budget, and a guarantee of being conflict-free while maintaining the same sparkle as natural diamonds.
If you're interested in creating your own lab grown engagement ring or lab-grown wedding band, Orosergio’s bespoke design service is the perfect way to get the ball rolling!
Contact us for a free consultation at our modern and spacious studio, conveniently located in downtown Toronto.
Our team of experts is ready to help you with any questions or concerns you may have and to provide you with a service that’s tailored to your specific needs.
