Lab grown diamonds are as real as diamonds mined from the earth. Lab grown diamonds are identical to earth mined diamonds in every way, except that they are grown in a lab. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds and exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle.
Do lab grown diamonds test as real diamonds? Yes! Lab grown diamonds test positive on a diamond tester because they're made of crystallized carbon, just as mined diamonds are.
Unlike natural diamonds mined from the earth, lab diamonds won't usually gain value. In fact, in recent years, their value hasn't kept up with inflation, mostly due to the increased availability of lab-grown gemstones. So, to put it simply: a lab-grown diamond isn't going to bring much, if any, return on investment.
Will Lab Made Diamonds Pass The Diamond Tester? So, because both earth-mined and lab-grown diamonds are formed from crystallised carbon, lab-made diamonds will pass any diamond tester they come across.
When you choose a lab grown diamond instead of a natural diamond, its origin cannot be determined by the naked eye. The only way one could distinguish a lab grown diamond from a natural diamond is with the help of a microscope. Natural diamonds will have small amounts of nitrogen, whereas lab grown diamonds will not.
Natural diamonds often contain a small amount of nitrogen or other impurities, while lab-grown diamonds do not. Tiffany diamonds are responsibly sourced from known mines and suppliers, and the majority of our rough stones come from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.
Lab grown diamonds are as real as diamonds mined from the earth. Lab grown diamonds are identical to earth mined diamonds in every way, except that they are grown in a lab. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds and exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle.
Here's the Short Answer
Lab-created diamonds are chemically the same as natural, mined diamonds. They are more affordable, but their value likely will not hold up over time. They will also never have the same rarity, uniqueness and meaning as a natural stone that was formed over billions of years deep in the earth.
Although some Lab-grown diamonds can fade, this happens only if the quality of the diamond is cheap. In such a case, they lose their shine due to overexposure to UV light. One reason why lab-created diamonds don't lose their shine or get faded and cloudy with time is that they are created by a process called HPHT.
While lab grown diamonds are considered to be real diamonds, simulant diamonds like cubic zirconia are not. This is because lab grown diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties as their mined counterparts, while cubic zirconia stones have a completely different mineral structure all together.
They have NO resale value.
Unlike natural diamonds which holds value over time, laboratory-grown diamonds are industrial products that are factory produced in matters of weeks. Since they are not rare and easily mass produced, there is NO secondary market for them.
This means that—just like a mined diamond—a Lab Created Diamond will last a lifetime and beyond as long as they are cared for properly. This includes cleaning your ring regularly and—as you would with a mined diamond—protecting it from chemicals and lotions.
Most jewelers will not buy lab-grown diamonds, but it's possible to resell lab-grown diamonds to third parties or individuals where lab-grown diamonds are in high demand. While you won't get 100% of your money back, you will get significantly more than the small amount some retailers would offer.
Man made diamonds are difficult to spot because of their chemical, physical and optical properties similar to their natural counterparts. Professional jeweler services and pawn shop brokers often have the equipment needed to tell the difference.
No need to worry about your ring turning yellow. Your lab diamond will stay as white as it is forever. Because it's a real diamond, you can trust that it's as durable as its mined counterparts. It will never turn yellow or change color over time.
Artificial diamonds have certain inclusions that are not clear even under a loupe. Jewelers and gemologists use special equipment to determine a diamond's origin. But, some lab-grown diamonds have inclusions that may appear under a loupe.
Even if you are in a hurry, be sure to remove your laboratory-grown diamond or laboratory-grown diamond jewelry before bathing. Soap and shower gel are not very suitable for laboratory diamonds and will reduce the diamond's brilliance over time.
Lab-made diamonds typically have good clarity. Like a high-quality natural diamond, lab-made diamonds won't get cloudy.
Because the technology used to create lab-grown diamonds is still relatively new, not as many companies are producing them as there are companies mining natural diamonds. This limited supply can drive up the price of lab-grown diamonds, making them more expensive than natural diamonds.
Identical to mined diamonds in every way but origin, a Swarovski Created Diamond is made using an innovative process that flawlessly replicates nature, resulting in a laboratory-grown diamond that is indistinguishable from a mined diamond in all chemical, physical, and optical attributes.
New York-based industry analyst Paul Zimnisky specialises in tracking global diamond supply and demand. He estimates that lab-diamond jewellery now makes up 10 per cent of the total market for diamond jewellery – with consumer demand particularly strong in the US, though less in China.
The bottom line: Overall, lab grown stones share the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds that last forever but are an estimated 30% less expensive than mined diamonds. Overall, neither diamond is “better.” They are not in competition with one another.
As with a natural diamond you can expect your lab grown diamonds to significantly drop in monetary value after purchase. Some estimate that lab grown diamonds can drop to 10% of their original price or lower, while more generous estimators put them nearer to natural diamonds at 30% of the original price.
Lab diamonds are bad for the environment
First thing's first: Lab grown diamonds are made with electricity. Electricity is bad for the environment. Lab created diamonds use 250 million joules per carat.
Lab Diamonds are Inexpensive
Unlike natural diamonds, the manufacturing process of lab-grown diamonds does not take several years, which is why they are much less expensive. They typically retail for 30 to 40% less than mined or natural diamonds, and given the quality of the stones, they make a great bargain.