Introduction

What's the first stone that comes to mind when you think of an engagement ring? A diamond, right? Diamonds are a timeless choice for engagement ring jewelry. They have captivated eyes and hearts for a long time now. 

However, natural diamonds take a toll on your savings; you must pay a hefty amount to own one. These naturally occurring diamonds take billions of years to form beneath the Earth’s crust and get mined, cut, and polished. The final piece of jewellery takes shape after undergoing several stages. Besides the labour, their rarity renders them expensive and out of reach for many. 

However, technological advancements come to the rescue again as lab diamonds are a reality. You can invest in a lab diamond engagement ring, which resembles natural pieces. 

what is a lab-created diamond?

An artificially created diamond is created in a controlled laboratory setting using a technique that mimics the planet's naturally high temperature and pressures. Lab-created diamonds resemble natural diamonds closely. Lab-created diamonds hardly take more than two months, whereas natural diamonds take billions of years. When looked at with the naked eye, you cannot differentiate between a lab-made and natural diamond.

How are lab-grown diamonds made?

Two methods are employed to develop diamonds in laboratories: HPHT and CVD. 

High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT)

The HPHT method was developed in the 1950s and is the earliest method for creating synthetic diamonds. The HPHT method can change the colour of an existing diamond besides producing new ones.

Using this method, a tiny diamond seed is embedded in carbon. The tiny seed is placed under extreme heat and pressure in a method that mimics how genuine diamonds form underground. The carbon in the seed then melts, creating a diamond.

Diamonds created using the HPHT method frequently have a yellowish hue. This is because during their development, nitrogen is present. Moreover, they usually feature deeper metallic flecks. These metallic particles could be used by experts to establish that diamonds were produced in a laboratory.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

The 1980s saw the development of CVD technology. The formation of diamonds in nebular gas clouds is modelled after this process. Compared to the HPHT method, this procedure uses less pressure and smaller equipment.

A diamond seed is placed in a vacuum-sealed container loaded with carbon-rich gases in the CVD process. The chamber is heated to roughly 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The extremely high temperatures cause the gas in the plasma to shift. The carbon atoms are released because of this process. These carbon atoms then adhere to the diamond seed, forming a carbon diamond.

What is the reason for buying a lab-grown diamond engagement ring?

Affordability 

Spending the same amount on a larger or higher-quality diamond is possible with lab-grown diamonds. Upgrading the carat, cut, clarity, or other characteristics of the ideal lab-grown diamond engagement ring is surprisingly affordable. This is because lab-grown diamonds can cost up to 40% less than diamonds that are mined traditionally and are of equal quality. There is simply no reason to purchase a mined diamond when you consider that lab-grown diamonds are identical to earth-grown diamonds in every way but cost a substantial amount less.

Lab-grown diamonds may be less expensive than natural diamonds, but it doesn't mean a lack of cutting-edge technology in the manufacturing of lab-grown diamonds. Each lab-grown diamond starts as a tiny diamond seed. A full-sized diamond is created using a specific technique of chemical vapour deposition.

Environmentally Friendly Diamonds

Despite their beauty, mined diamonds have a serious detrimental effect on the environment. They require big machinery and explosives to get going, which ruins ecosystems, contaminates water, destroys land, and generates a ton of chemical waste.

Each carat of mined diamond emits over 125 pounds of carbon. Lab-grown diamonds emit only 6 pounds per carat.

 A conventionally mined diamond also needs about 126 litres of water. In contrast, only 18 litres of water is required for laboratory-grown diamonds. 

Diamond mines have significantly impacted the planet's ecosystems because they are among the most important man-made excavations in the world. Contrary to mined diamonds, however, synthetic diamonds are produced in a controlled environment and leave a minimal environmental footprint.

Simply explained, because they are not mined, It is better for the environment. Significant environmental harm results from diamond mining. It takes between 88,000 and 176,000 pounds of soil to sift through to find a single 1-carat diamond. Thus, diamond mines are among the largest man-made holes on Earth and have had a significant impact on the ecosystem.

Man-made diamond engagement rings are conflict-free

It's likely that you've heard of "blood diamonds." Many mined diamonds come from Africa, where they have been used in numerous wars and uprisings. As a result, mined diamonds have acquired the nickname "blood diamonds." Fair wages, unfavourable working conditions, child labour, and abuses of human rights are further ethical problems.

These grave moral and humanitarian concerns are avoidable with lab-grown diamond engagement earrings. There are several ethical issues and a long supply chain associated with diamond mining. This is due to the fact that confirming that the diamond you are purchasing was obtained ethically is far more difficult. After all, the origin of a mined diamond cannot be traced as easily as a lab-grown diamond. If you buy a lab-grown diamond, you can identify the location of the diamond's birth.

Lab-grown diamonds provide a stress-free and convenient shopping experience.

Although at a much faster rate, the diamond seed is subjected to the same pressure and temperature as mined diamonds when they are grown in a laboratory. This makes buying lab-grown diamonds online simple. There are some reasons to think about the choice of lab-grown diamonds.

Firstly, there is no obligation to purchase a stone or a ring. You can browse whenever you want. This guarantees that you will love your purchase to the hilt and keeps you from having buyer's regret. Secondly, the selection you must make when visiting a conventional jewellery store is frequently constrained. While selecting individual loose stones or "building your engagement ring," buying a lab-grown diamond online offers you a wide range of options.

Tips for buying a lab-grown diamond engagement ring?

Know the 4 Cs.

When choosing lab-created diamond engagement rings, it’s critical to know the 4 Cs: colour, cut, clarity, and carat. Whether a diamond is manufactured in a lab or is extracted from the earth, the 4 Cs stand as the global benchmark for evaluating its quality.

Choose a metal for the band.

The metal you choose for the band of the ring will affect the overall look of the engagement ring.

Examine the cut quality of the diamond.

The form of the diamond and its cut quality are not the same. For instance, the cut quality of a lab-created diamond relates to how well its facets interact with light, whereas the shape of the diamond refers to its outline or contour. Take the cut quality and shape into consideration while selecting a lab-created diamond ring.

Choose the side stone.

Many lab-grown diamond rings have the main, central diamond and side stones—either around it, on both sides or just on one side. The best approach when selecting side stones is to go for ones whose grade, clarity, and cut compliment the main diamond.

Pick the colour.

Lab-grown diamond engagement rings are available in various colours—red, blue, green, pink, yellow, and more. However, make sure the colour of the centre diamond and the side stones complement each other, as well as the metal you choose.

Check out the diamond under different lighting.

Examining the performance of a diamond in various lighting settings is one method of determining its quality. The diamond facets are like mirrors. They reflect the light they’re exposed to. Hence, to assess its performance in different lights, see it in candlelight, white light, yellow light, dim light, bright light, natural daylight, etc. It could be challenging to check the performance of a lab-created diamond ring you purchase online, but you must use several platforms and tools to evaluate the diamond's many characteristics.

Check the certificates.

When you buy lab-created diamond rings, you must check the certificates that come with the ring. Reputable lab organizations that certify lab-grown diamonds are IGI and GIA. You cannot be certain of the origin and authenticity of your diamonds without the credentials.

Decide the brand and your budget.

Two of the most important factors when buying a lab-made diamond ring are the budget and the brand. If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck with lab-grown diamond engagement rings. Lab diamonds are at least 30% cheaper compared to mined diamonds.

With so many brands creating and offering engagement rings made of lab-grown diamonds, you’d be spoilt for choice. Run a quick online search, and you’ll be surprised to find the number of brands that offer lab diamond jewellery.

Conclusion

Well, you have various reasons to opt for lab-made diamond rings. You can savour the same radiance and glaze while entailing significant savings. Additionally, you are making an eco-friendly decision. Long-term environmental damage and the depletion of our natural resources are caused by mining operations for natural diamonds. Lab-created diamonds are a sustainable alternative and do not have this issue. 

Willing to invest in a lab-grown diamond ring? Don’t look further than Gelson World. You have a lot of choices to choose from while browsing your ideal lab-made diamond ring. Gelson World is committed to keeping its customers satisfied with top-notch service. Shop right away!