Introduction: Shining Light on Lab Grown Diamonds

More and more couples are choosing lab grown diamonds for their engagement rings. These sparkling gems are made in special labs instead of being dug up from the earth. They look just like mined diamonds but come with some big benefits.

In this blog, we'll clear up the confusion about lab grown diamonds. Many people have wrong ideas about these beautiful stones. We'll look at what's true and what's not.

Lab grown diamond rings are becoming very popular. In fact, the market for them grew by 15-20% in 2023, while mined diamond sales stayed flat. By 2025, experts think lab grown diamonds will make up about 10% of all diamond jewelry sales worldwide.

Let's bust some common myths about lab grown diamonds so you can decide if they're right for your engagement ring.

Myth 1: Lab Grown Diamonds Aren't "Real" Diamonds

Chemical Composition: Identical Twins

Lab grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They have exactly the same chemical makeup as mined diamonds - pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure. Scientists at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have confirmed that lab grown and mined diamonds are chemically identical.

If you looked at both types of diamonds under a powerful microscope, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart based on their structure. The only difference is where they came from - one from the earth, one from a lab.

Physical Properties: Hardness and Brilliance

Lab grown diamonds are just as hard as mined diamonds. Both score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them the hardest natural substance known. This means they're just as scratch-resistant and durable.

They also have the same sparkle and fire. The way they bend and reflect light is identical, giving them that famous diamond brilliance. A lab grown diamond will catch the light and throw rainbows just like a mined diamond.

Certification: Graded the Same Way

Both lab grown and mined diamonds are graded using the same "4Cs" system:

• Cut
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat weight

Respected organizations like the GIA and International Gemological Institute (IGI) grade lab grown diamonds using the exact same standards as mined diamonds. When you buy a certified lab grown diamond, you're getting a real diamond with the same quality guarantees.

Myth 2: Lab Grown Diamonds Are Cheap and Inferior

Price Point: More Affordable, Not Cheap

Lab grown diamonds typically cost 30-40% less than comparable mined diamonds, but this doesn't mean they're cheap or low quality. They're more affordable because their production doesn't involve expensive mining operations.

For example, a 1-carat, excellent cut, VS1 clarity, G color mined diamond might cost $6,000, while the same quality lab grown diamond might cost $4,000. This means you can often get a larger or higher quality stone for your budget.

Quality and Clarity: Often Superior

Because lab grown diamonds are created in controlled environments, they often have fewer flaws and inclusions than mined diamonds. This means you can often get better clarity for your money.

Dr. Sarah Johnson, a gemologist with 20 years of experience, says: "In my professional opinion, many lab grown diamonds actually have superior clarity compared to mined diamonds of the same price point. The controlled growth environment eliminates many of the variables that cause inclusions in natural diamonds."

Ethical Considerations: Traceability and Sustainability

Lab grown diamonds have a clear origin story. You know exactly where they came from, with no concerns about unethical mining practices or "blood diamonds." This transparency is valuable, not inferior.

They also have a smaller environmental footprint. Creating a lab grown diamond typically uses less energy and water than mining a diamond, and doesn't disturb the earth's surface. Many lab diamond companies use renewable energy sources too.

Myth 3: Lab Grown Diamonds Have No Resale Value

Resale Market: A Developing Trend

It's true that the resale market for lab grown diamonds is still developing. Currently, lab grown diamonds don't hold their value as well as mined diamonds, but this is changing as they become more accepted.

Mined diamonds typically resell for about 50% of their purchase price, while lab grown diamonds might currently fetch 20-30%. However, most people don't buy engagement rings as investments - they buy them for their meaning and beauty.

Factors Affecting Resale: Size and Quality

Just like with mined diamonds, larger and higher quality lab grown diamonds tend to hold their value better. A well-cut 2-carat lab diamond with excellent clarity will likely have better resale prospects than a smaller, lower-quality stone.

Having proper certification from respected organizations like IGI or GIA also helps maintain resale value. These certificates prove the diamond's quality and authenticity.

Future Trends: Growing Acceptance

As lab grown diamonds become more mainstream, their resale value is likely to improve. We're already seeing specialized marketplaces developing for pre-owned lab grown diamonds.

With younger generations being more eco-conscious and budget-aware, demand for lab grown diamonds is increasing. This growing demand should help support better resale values in the future.

Myth 4: Lab Grown Diamonds Are Easy to Detect

Advanced Technology: Sophisticated Processes

Lab grown diamonds are created using highly advanced technologies. The two main methods are:

1. High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the earth.
2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): This builds diamond crystals one carbon layer at a time.

These aren't simple imitations - they're real diamonds created through complex scientific processes.

Specialized Equipment: Distinguishing Features

Telling the difference between lab grown and mined diamonds requires specialized equipment that most jewelers don't have. Regular jeweler's loupes or microscopes can't detect the difference.

Only diamond labs with sophisticated spectroscopy tools can reliably tell them apart, and they look for tiny differences in growth patterns or trace elements. To the naked eye - and even to most jewelers - they're indistinguishable.

Inscriptions and Certifications: Proof of Origin

Most lab grown diamonds come with laser inscriptions on their girdle (the thin edge around the widest part). These tiny markings can only be seen under magnification and identify the stone as lab grown.

The diamond's certification also clearly states its origin. This transparency is a feature, not a flaw - you know exactly what you're getting.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

We've busted four big myths about lab grown diamonds:

• They are real diamonds with identical chemistry and properties
• They offer excellent quality and value, not inferiority
• While their resale market is still developing, they're not bought as investments
• They're sophisticated creations that require expert equipment to distinguish from mined diamonds

Lab grown diamonds offer many benefits: lower cost, ethical sourcing, environmental advantages, and identical beauty to mined diamonds. Their growing popularity shows that many couples are seeing past the myths.

Before choosing your engagement ring, do your own research and decide what matters most to you. Whether you choose lab grown or mined, make sure you're buying from a reputable jeweler with proper certification.

Shop smart, and find the perfect symbol of your love that aligns with your values and budget!