An engagement ring with a beautiful setting of one or more diamonds can make most women happy. It goes without saying that engagement rings are one of the priciest and most coveted pieces of jewelry.
The major chunk of the price is the value of the diamonds used in the ring. A ring with a diamond setting of their choice becomes a distant dream for many women mainly because of the expensive nature of diamond jewelry.
The Value Of Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are gaining popularity as an affordable alternative to natural diamonds to be used in jewelry. Lab grown diamond rings are fast becoming the latest trend owing to their high quality and low price.
So, what makes lab grown diamonds different from naturally mined diamonds? Before we explore the differences, let us look into the largest similarity between natural and lab grown diamonds. Both these diamonds are very much alike in their crystal structure, chemical composition, brilliance and sturdiness; meaning natural and lab grown diamonds are identical in all their properties. Then why are natural diamonds still pricier than lab grown diamonds?
The Making Process
Natural diamonds are formed in the depths of the earth over a period of billions of years. Only a small chunk of the diamonds formed below the earth’s crust reaches the surface of the earth due to some natural causes like intense volcanic activities. These diamonds that manage to reach the earth’s surface have to be mined out of the earth. The process involves money, heavy machinery, a lot of manpower and an unknown price paid by the ecosystem surrounding the mines. The natural diamond that we choose for our ring thus becomes a rare and expensive commodity. The emotional value associated with the uniqueness of mined diamonds is yet another factor that contributes to the higher cost of these diamonds.
The making of artificial diamonds in a lab takes very less time, lesser manpower and lower cost. The diamonds made this way are on par with natural diamonds in all aspects ranging from their brilliance to toughness. The detrimental effects on the environment and exploitation of manpower associated with mining are completely avoided in the production of man-made diamonds. This makes them easily available and ethically sourced. All these factors contribute to the lower price of lab grown diamonds.
When we consider all the factors involving the origin, quality and affordability, lab grown diamonds win hands down. Whether to go for a natural diamond on account of its sentimental value or opt for an affordable artificial diamond of the same quality for a lesser price, is a decision best left to the buyer.