Diamonds are one of the most coveted gemstones and an important investment for many people. But, not all diamonds is created equal. Natural diamonds are mined from the ground and are limited in supply, which makes them more expensive than diamonds that have been lab-created or grown in a controlled environment. If you’re interested in investing in diamond jewelry, it is important to understand the differences between lab diamonds vs real diamonds before making your purchase. Here’s what you need to know about these two different types of diamonds so you can make the right choice when buying a new piece of diamond jewelry.
What Are Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are created by extreme heat and pressure over millions of years. Diamonds are mined in countries such as Brazil, Canada, Russia, and Australia. They are graded from D-Z with 10 sub-grades. The quality of a D-grade diamond is high, with few inclusions. Natural diamonds are expensive due to the difficulty of finding, retrieving, and processing them.Natural diamonds are limited resources, while lab-created diamonds are more environmentally friendly, more available, and less expensive.
What are Lab-Created Diamonds?
Lab created diamonds are synthetic diamonds created through high pressure and heat treatment of carbon. Lab-created diamonds are created by subjecting graphite to extreme heat and pressure. They are real diamonds, chemically, physically, and optically. Lab-created diamonds are graded on the same scale as natural diamonds and are less expensive due to their abundance. Lab-created diamonds are more environmentally friendly than mined diamonds, as they produce less greenhouse gas.
The Differences Between Natural and Lab-Created Diamonds
Natural and lab-created diamonds share a lot of similarities, but there are also some important differences between the two. If you are interested in investing in a diamond ring, it is important to understand these differences so you can make an informed purchase. Price – While natural diamonds are more rare than lab-created diamonds and have higher quality, they also have a higher price. Lab-created diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds, but they are also lower quality. Because quality is important when choosing a diamond, it is important to understand what you are paying for. Carat Weight – A diamond’s carat, or weight, is often used to determine how much a diamond ring is worth. Natural diamonds come in a range of carat weights and lab-created diamonds are available in carat weights, with 1 carat being the standard size. Clarity – Because natural diamonds are mined from the ground, they contain more inclusions, or imperfections, than lab-created diamonds. An imperfection can be something as minor as a small mark, chip or slight discoloration. Some inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, but they do lower the clarity of a diamond, which affects its value. Cut – Cut refers to the shape and proportions of a diamond. Natural diamonds are often cut to enhance their clarity, but many lab-created diamonds are cut to maximize carat weight.
Summary
Natural diamonds are mined from the Earth and are expensive because they are rare and difficult to find. Lab-created diamonds are created in a controlled environment and are less expensive than natural diamonds, but they have lower quality. Natural diamonds are more rare and are graded on a scale with 10 sub-grades based on the quality of the stone.
