Are Man-Made Diamonds As Valuable As Real Diamonds?

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding lab diamonds in recent years. Compared to being formed naturally in the soil like regular diamonds, man-made diamonds are manufactured in a laboratory; this makes them different from natural gemstones. When it comes to appearance, they are identical.

One couldn’t tell the difference between a lab-created diamond and a natural diamond if they put them side by side. Their molecular structures are similar. So, is a man-made diamond as valuable as a natural diamond? Let’s find out more.

What Is A Man-Made Diamond?

A growing number of people are curious about man-made diamonds and unsure what makes them different from natural ones. Curiosity is also rising as these gemstones have become a popular option for engagement rings. However, these lab-grown stones are not new; for years, they have been used for industrial purposes. Less than 1% of all diamonds are gem-quality, which was only recently made possible thanks to technological advancements.

Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly popular due to technological advancements and a growing demand for more environmentally friendly solutions. Several jewelers are now producing their own and putting them into elegant and modern designs.

A lab-grown diamond is created in a carefully regulated laboratory setting. With technological advancement, scientists can develop diamonds with the same physical and chemical characteristics as real ones. They can also get certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute using the popular High-Pressure, High Temperature, or Chemical Vapor Deposition techniques.

The Value Of Man-Made Diamonds

The Rapaport pricing method is a globally recognized pricing scheme. It determines retail and wholesale prices for all diamonds, whether they are lab-created or naturally mined. No matter where these gemstones come from, the retail, wholesale, and real value pricing are based on the Rapaport price. However, with natural diamonds, one gets a higher profit as they have to pay approximately 30% more upfront.

Any diamond, though, shouldn’t be considered an investment. Since the buyer needs to earn a profit, whatever you receive for your diamond will be about 30% less than what you originally bought.

Without a doubt, diamond grown in laboratories is unquestionably valuable. Some of the highest-quality diamonds in the world are made using a combination of elements, including engineers, scientists, technology, time, laboratories, and skill.

The Difference Between Lab-Created And Natural

The naked eye can’t distinguish between natural and man-made diamonds. However, talking about the difference, the lab-grown ones contain no nitrogen, whereas natural ones contain minimal amounts. This is indeed one of the indicators that gemologists look for when determining whether a diamond is artificial or natural.

If you look at the formation, natural ones are formed over several years and under the earth’s crust’s pressure. After that, they are mined, polished, etc. When it comes to artificial, they go through the same tests but in a different setting. The procedure to produce a lab-grown diamond drastically reduces growth from millions of years to a few months. Afterward, they are additionally polished and cut.

Lab-grown diamonds’ physical and chemical characteristics are identical to those of natural ones, making them vital. Both are the hardest gemstones on the market, rating a ten on the Mohs scale. You may rest easy knowing your lab rock won’t become clouded or scratched. They are still susceptible to chipping from a hard impact if struck hard.

Exercise caution is still vital, just like other valuable jewelry. Your lab-created gemstone should last a lifetime with the proper maintenance and security.

	Man-Made Diamonds	Natural Diamonds
Method of creation	Created in labs	They are formed throughout billions of years in the earth’s crust
Quality	Comes in various sizes, colors, and clarity grades; however new technology may create diamonds of superior quality.	A variety of colors, sizes, and clarity grades are available.
Hardness	Rated 10 on the Mohs scale	Rated 10 on the Mohs scale
Color	Colored ones are a possibility	Diamonds with naturally occurring colors are uncommon and pricey.
Certificate	Graded on the basis of 4Cs	Graded on the basis of 4Cs

Pros Of Using Man-Made Diamonds

Natural and lab-grown diamonds are identical in composition. What are the advantages of selecting a lab-grown one?

Cost-Effectiveness

You most likely don’t want to spend a fortune to be able to afford a good piece of jewelry, whether you are buying an engagement ring or another item of jewelry. This is an argument in favor of buying a lab-grown diamond. They cost around 40% less than their equivalents made from mining.

This implies that you may purchase a larger stone made in a lab for the same price. Alternatively, you can decide on a unique design or a higher-quality metal than you had anticipated being able to afford.

Sustainable And Favorable To The Environment

The planet can sustain significant damage from diamond mining. Natural diamond mining consumes enormous fossil fuel, whereas synthetic diamond production has none of these drawbacks. Switching to producing diamonds rather than mining them is a much more sustainable option, given that demand for these precious gems is expected to continue to climb, and the quantity of mined stones is anticipated to decrease. The widening gap between supply and demand for this magnificent stone can be filled with synthetic gems.

They Are Durable

Since lab-grown diamonds are so strong, they can endure a lifetime and beyond. A Diamond is the world’s hardest substance and is composed of carbon. Even though they are not unbreakable, they will remain beautiful for a lifetime with regular maintenance.

The Mohs Hardness Scale gives diamonds from mines and labs a 10 rating. Lab-grown ones are just as strong as mined ones in terms of toughness, durability, and longevity.

Conclusion

Diamonds created in a lab are just as genuine as those found in a mine. The only difference between lab-grown and natural ones is that the former was created in a laboratory. Man-made diamonds share the same physical, chemical, spark, and scintillation. They provide a remarkable value compared to rare, earth-mined diamonds of similar quality.