When shopping for a diamond, it’s important to know the difference between man made diamonds vs real. Lab grown diamonds are synthetic gemstones that are created in a laboratory.
They are an alternative to mined diamonds and offer consumers a lower cost option for jewelry. However, they may not be the right choice for everyone.
What is a diamond?
A diamond is a crystal formed from carbon atoms under very high temperature and pressure conditions that occur in the Earth’s mantle. These atoms are bonded together in a unique and isometric crystal structure.
The most common shape of a diamond is an octahedron, but cubes, dodecahedra and triangles are also possible. Exceptions include a flat form called a macle, as well as etched crystals that appear to be mirrored across the middle of the gem.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of a diamond is its refraction, or bend, of light rays as they pass through the gem. This causes a rainbow of colours to be dispersed, and increases the lustre and sparkle that makes a diamond so famous.
Diamonds are natural minerals, formed billions of years ago in the Earth’s mantle under extremely high pressure and temperatures. They are transported to the surface in volcanic pipes known as kimberlites and lamproites. These eruptions are rare but complex, bringing together diamond crystals with other minerals and mantle rocks.
Natural diamonds
Natural diamonds are crystallized carbon that formed deep beneath the earth’s surface, where billions of years of high pressures and temperatures allowed the element to rearrange on an atomic level into a solid, precious gemstone. These dazzling gems are found in locations such as Africa, Russia, Brazil and Australia.
They are mined from kimberlite pipes, which bring diamond crystals, sourced deep within the earth where conditions and temperatures allow them to form, up to the surface. Mining engineers extract them by using specialized equipment and techniques.
Natural diamonds have been prized throughout history for their dazzling sparkle, rarity and emotional value. However, they are often very expensive, so alternatives have been developed over time such as moissanite and cubic zirconia.
Man-made diamonds
Natural diamonds are formed by nature – billions of years ago, when pure carbon undergoes high temperature and pressure to create beautiful gems. Miners then collect these rare gems and sell them to the public.
Another main difference between man made diamonds vs real is Man-made diamonds are created in a laboratory, typically in just a few weeks. They have a tiny chemical difference with natural diamonds because lab-grown diamonds don’t contain any nitrogen.
This difference isn’t always noticeable to the naked eye, but it’s one of the ways that gemologists can tell if a diamond is natural or synthetic.
The main advantage of lab-grown diamonds is that they can be created in a much more efficient and cost-effective way than natural ones. The production of lab-grown diamonds also requires less land than natural diamond mining, and can be done using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, making them more environmentally friendly.
Although man-made diamonds are still in their infancy, they are expected to increase in value over time. However, advancements in the technology could mean that they will eventually be worth less than naturally mined diamonds, which could make them a less attractive investment.
Lab-grown diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are grown in laboratories, where they’re made by putting the seeds of mined diamonds under high pressure and heat. Using special machinery, they create diamonds with the same properties as natural ones (cut, clarity, carat).
While they aren’t quite as rare as natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are still valuable and can be more affordable than mined diamonds. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a wider selection than their natural counterparts.
However, they’re still not as finite and will likely hold their value less over time than natural diamonds. Plus, the technology that creates them is evolving, so they might be more inexpensive to produce in the future and drive down their resale price.
With so many options and such a wide range of prices, it can be hard to determine which are the best lab-grown diamonds. But if you’re looking for quality and great value, there are several companies that are worth checking out.
