Lab-grown diamonds have become popular due to their lower cost. The value of investing in them is debated, however. While some believe their resale value is lower than that of natural diamonds, others argue they are a worthwhile investment due to being ethically and environmentally responsible while also being comparable to natural diamonds in quality and durability. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual priorities.
On the other hand, proponents argue that lab-grown diamonds are a smarter investment option as they are ethically and environmentally responsible, and their quality and durability are comparable to natural diamonds. So, whether or not lab-grown diamonds are worth investing in depends on individual preferences and priorities. While some may consider natural diamonds’ sentimental and emotional value to be priceless, others may prioritize affordability and sustainability. Ultimately, it’s up to the consumer to decide which option best fits them.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
![man shaping a diamond from a ring](https://historicclintonantiques.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Should-You-Buy-Lab-Grown-Diamonds.jpg)
Lab-created diamonds are man-made diamonds that are designed to resemble natural diamonds. These diamonds are formed using the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds, which are made up of carbon atoms.
The cost of a lab-grown diamond is usually lower than that of a natural diamond and has dropped by as much as 30% in the past year. This is because lab-grown diamonds have no resale value, so people purchase them less frequently.
How Are These Diamonds Made?
![Lab grown diamonds infographic](https://historicclintonantiques.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715288529_969_Should-You-Buy-Lab-Grown-Diamonds.jpg)
The steps used to make lab-created diamonds are the same ones used to make real diamonds. It takes a lot of heat and pressure to make a pure diamond grow. The way these things work over millions of years turns carbon atoms into diamonds, which are beautiful rocks. Gems made in a lab grow the same way; it only takes a few weeks instead of millions of years. A diamond seed is the first part. It’s a very small piece of diamond. This seed is put in a small room that is closed off and made to look like the shell of the Earth.
It will finally turn into a man-made diamond that is scientifically the same as a real diamond. The seed is covered in pure carbon. Two methods are used to create lab-made diamonds: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). A lot of heat (about 1,500 degrees Celsius, or 2,700 Fahrenheit) and pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch) are applied to the diamond seed and the carbon atoms that cover it by HPHT. But CVD doesn’t use as much heat or pressure. Instead, a mix of chemical gases is used to break down the stuff and turn it into solid carbon atoms.
Both ways lead to the same thing: a man-made diamond that is made from scratch in a few weeks.
Lab-Created Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
Lab-Created Diamonds | Natural Diamonds |
Mass-produced | Very desirable for engagement rings |
Constructed of carbon atoms structures | Available in a range of shapes and carat weight |
Somewhat desirable for engagement rings | One-of-a-kind |
Lower price with no resale value | Formed under the earth’s crust over billions of years |
Available in a range of shapes and carat weight | Constructed of carbon atoms structures |
Lab-grown in a matter of weeks | Higher price with resale value at 50%+ |
Lab-made diamonds and natural diamonds are mostly different in how they are made, but they are also different in price, resale value, rarity, and popularity. Here is a comparison between lab-made diamonds and real diamonds:
Even if you’re a trained gemologist, you can’t tell the difference between lab-made diamonds and real diamonds without special tools. A diamond’s grading report is the best way to tell the difference between a real diamond and one that was made in a lab.
Professional gemologists use magnification to look at the types of inclusions in a diamond to figure out whether it was mined or made in a lab. In a natural diamond, the flaws look a little different from those in a lab-made diamond. There are also times when the way a diamond and a man-made gem reflect light is different.
Most of the time, though, you can’t tell the difference between a lab-made diamond and a real diamond.
Getting a Lab-Grown Diamond Today
If you want to buy an engagement ring with a diamond, you can save a lot of money by getting a lab-made diamond instead of a real diamond. But you should be ready for the fact that soon it will be sold for a lot less than that.
There are other reasons you might be interested in a lab-made diamond besides the price. If you are an engineer, you might be interested in how lab-made stones are made. Or maybe you want to make a choice that is both moral and good for the earth.
What’s the Value of Lab-Made Diamonds?
This is the million-dollar question that is hard to answer in 2024. In short, they cost less, but you don’t get as much for your money. This article will show why you shouldn’t think of your diamond as an investment.
That being said, you shouldn’t completely ignore the value either. Let’s say that after being bought, the normal natural diamond keeps about half of its value. The diamond’s value will go up over time, so if you ever decide to sell it, you should get at least half of what you paid for it.
Of course, a diamond that was found in the ground will lose about half of its value right away, but a diamond that was made in a lab will lose all of its value. On the other hand, a lab-made diamond will cost at least half as much as a real diamond of the same size.
Lab-Grown Diamond FAQs
Having talked extensively about lab-grown diamonds, it’s important to address some common concerns about these man-made stones. Therefore, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about lab-made diamonds to help you better understand these gems.
- Will the worth of lab diamonds stay the same? – After the original purchase, lab diamonds are essentially worthless. Lab-grown diamonds, however, will always be valuable if you define value in terms other than money, such as the diamond’s hardness, quality, and beauty. As they say, lab-created diamonds are everlasting since they are chemically identical to real diamonds.
- Do most people purchase lab-grown diamonds? – Although lab-grown diamonds are becoming more and more popular, most consumers still favor real diamonds. According to some estimates, lab-created diamonds make up 8–10% of the global diamond market, but that percentage can reach 20%.
- Is the worth of lab-grown diamonds going down over time? – When it comes to money, lab diamonds lose almost all of their value shortly after being bought. If you decide to sell your lab-created diamond later, you won’t get back much of the money you paid for it. This, along with the fact that lab diamond prices are always going down, means that the diamond you got on sale will likely be much less expensive in a year or two.
- Do you think lab diamonds are a bad investment? – Diamonds in general don’t make good investments, but lab diamonds are particularly bad in this respect. While natural diamonds retain around 50% of their value, lab diamonds lose almost all (if not all) of their value after purchase.
Should You Buy Lab-Created Diamonds?
So, what about someone who wants to get engaged today? If you choose this diamond ring from the Physical and Online Store over an actual diamond, you will save some money. However, you should be okay with the fact that something similar might show up again in the future for a lot less money. You might choose a lab-created diamond for other reasons, but you should know that it will lose most of its value over time. I firmly believe that natural diamonds are the way to go, and I would always choose them over lab-grown diamonds. In my view, the unmatched beauty and uniqueness of natural diamonds make them the perfect choice. As such, I would say no to lab-grown diamonds without hesitation.
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