All You Need To Know About Lab Grown Diamonds

And why these affordable diamonds should be your next big buy

Mined diamonds vs lab-grown diamonds. Been debating the pros and cons of the two with your friends and family? With the industry being swept by a wave of lab-grown diamonds, you’re not alone.

And, want to know a little secret? There’s only two differences between them – the origin and the price point. While mined diamonds come from Mother Nature’s lap and take billions of years to form, lab diamonds are created in a specialized lab in a matter of weeks — but they both have the same physical and chemical properties.

This means lab-grown diamonds are actual diamonds made from tightly-bonded carbon atoms, and the Federal Trade Commission includes them in the definition of diamonds.

Scroll down for more compelling reasons to start your lab-grown diamond collection, stat.

7 reasons you should opt for lab-grown diamonds

1. You know its origin story (and quality and purity are consistent): and yes, it’s a real diamond

First things first. Where does a lab-grown diamond come from? As its title suggests, it’s man-made, and created in a lab using one of two different techniques (the Chemical Vapour Deposition method or High-Pressure High-Temperature method).  The processes are more than 50 odd years old, with researchers creating the first gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds in the ‘70s.

When you buy a lab diamond from a registered manufacturer you know exactly where it comes from. This production process means there is precise control over quality, purity and inclusions — which if you go to an established company like Everbrite Jewellery, will be consistent, dependable, and each piece of jewellery comes with an Everbrite Certificate of Authenticity.

2. Lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties: No one will able to tell the difference with the naked eye 

If you were wary to opt for lab-grown diamonds to start your bauble collection, thinking that they weren’t as ‘precious’, think again. Both lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds have the exact physical and chemical composition.  Neither your naked eye nor a certified gemologist’s magnifying glass would be able to tell any difference.

Distinguishing between the two requires a trained gemologist toting complicated machinery specially designed to identify lab grown diamonds. Just like flowers grown in a greenhouse are actual flowers and test tube babies are actual babies, lab grown diamonds (LGDs) are real — as real as naturally formed diamonds. They’re 100% carbon and as durable as mined diamonds!

3. The same gradation of the four C’s applies, plus you get certification for LGDs too

Cut, colour, clarity and carat — the same four C’s that are the globally accepted standards for assessing diamond quality are used for lab-grown diamonds too. And just like with earth-mined diamonds, there are variations in colour, clarity, cut and carat size.

Labs like International Gemological Institute (IGI) that certify mined diamonds also certify LGDs using the same parameters with a verification that they were grown in a lab. The cost of a diamond is predominantly based on these categories.

4. It won’t cost you a kidney to start a collection

LGDs are the epitome of affordable luxury — they have the glimmer and glitz that you’re looking for and are budget-friendly because of lack of mining costs. And with Everbrite Jewellery’s collection that includes options for every budget (read here), love begins here… between you and your new piece of jewellery.

And the best part? You don’t have to pick between a ring or earrings to start, or add to your collection. You can get both.

5. It is the eco-friendlier option

While creating lab-grown diamonds, the heat, pressure, emission levels, energy utilization and water consumption are monitored. While resources and labour are of course employed, no mining or depletion are involved, especially with the advancement of technology and availability of renewable energy sources like solar power, making it eco-friendlier and in the long-term, a more sustainable option.

According to a study conducted by Frost & Sullivan, the production of lab-grown diamonds requires less earth displacement per carat than mining natural diamonds.

6. You can size up on a smaller-budget

You have the chance to obtain a bigger look with a bigger and/or higher quality lab grown diamond for the same price as a mined diamond because they’re more affordable.

7. You can choose from a rainbow of colours and customise to your taste

Nothing, I repeat, nothing is more exclusive than personalisation. While coloured mined diamonds come at a very high premium, lab grown diamonds are relatively more readily available in a range of colours, including that uber precious pink diamond. Just like mined diamonds, LGDs too can be cut in a variety of shapes – and the best part – the premium is way lesser. So the sky is the limit, literally!

And lab-grown diamond jewellery from Everbrite is available in white, yellow, rose, or two-tone finishes in 14kt or 18kt gold — and of course, you can pick the cut and size of the diamond you desire to create your own wonder!

5 Classic pieces featuring lab-grown diamonds to start your collection

Whether you’re looking to start a diamond jewellery collection, or want to add to your growing one, here are the basics that will elevate any look.

1. Solitaire ring: