In recent years, lab-created diamonds have become increasingly popular. But what exactly are lab-created diamonds, and how do they compare to mined diamonds? Let’s take a look at the differences between these two types of diamonds so you can make an informed decision when considering them as an option.
What Are Lab Created Diamonds?
Lab created diamonds are also known as man-made or cultured diamonds. They have the same chemical, physical and optical properties as mined diamonds and are not synthetic (i.e. not an imitation). The only difference is that lab created diamonds are grown in a laboratory under controlled conditions. These diamonds have the same crystal structure of those found in nature but without the environmental impact caused by diamond mining operations.
Note that lab diamonds are graded in the exact same way as mined diamonds and also by the same diamond grading laboratories - the International Gemological Institute (IGI) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Lovelri’s lab diamonds are all certified and graded by the IGI, which is the largest independent gem lab in the world. This means that you get to know all the specifications of your diamond along with its authenticity.
Some jewellers grade their own diamonds, but at Lovelri, we feel that grading them with IGI gives a level of consistency that is important - your lab diamond will be graded amongst millions of others!
Sample IGI Certification
How Do Lab Created Diamonds Compare to Mined Diamonds?
The most obvious difference between lab created and mined diamonds is where they come from - one comes from a laboratory while the other comes from the earth. Other than that, there isn’t much of a difference between them as mentioned above. The biggest advantage to lab created diamonds is that they are often less expensive than mined ones because of their lower production costs. Additionally, many consumers prefer to purchase lab created diamonds due to their ethical implications since there is little to no environmental impact associated with their production process.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you which type of diamond you would like to purchase – mined or lab created. Both types are REAL diamonds and both offer unique advantages depending on your needs and budget. If you want a beautiful diamond but don’t want to break the bank on it, then consider looking into purchasing a lab created diamond instead!
Lovelri has an amazing selection of lab diamonds and you can take a look at our lab diamond page to schedule an appointment with us and learn more! You can also check out our ring settings first and replace any of these rings with a lab diamond of your choice!