What’s in a diamond? By any other name would it shine as bright? A common question among shoppers is whether lab-grown diamonds have comparable characteristics and quality as that of mined diamonds. As diamond, precious gem, and jewelry experts, we’re here to provide you with an answer to that question once and for all:
Absolutely.
Perhaps the terminology “lab-grown” has become synonymous with terms that cause people to shy away from them, kind of like hearing the term “artificial,” but lab-grown diamonds are in fact real diamonds. You can find the same brilliance and sparkle in a lab-grown diamond as you would in a mined diamond. When compared side-by-side, you can’t tell the difference. So, if there’s no real difference other than the diamond’s origin, why would someone choose a lab-grown diamond?
Lab-Grown vs. Mined Diamonds
There are several reasons to choose lab-grown diamonds over mined diamonds. A popular factor for many couples the is price. You can often find the same quality in a lab-grown diamond as a mined diamond , but the lab-grown is more budget-friendly than its mined diamond counterpart. For many clients, this means they can shop for a higher quality diamond and stay within their budget.
The environment is on everyone’s mind today. More couples are searching for eco-friendly options, which is why many lean toward lab-grown diamonds instead of mined diamonds. Because lab-grown diamonds are grown in a lab, they’re environmentally friendly and conflict-free.
How can diamonds be produced in a lab? To create lab-grown diamonds, technology simply replicates the conditions necessary to grow a diamond above the Earth’s surface. This is done by placing a small diamond “seed” in a tightly-controlled environment, where the diamond grows, layer-by-layer, just as it would in the natural process – but without wreaking havoc on the environment to mine them from the Earth.
Once you see them for yourself, you’ll realize there is no visible difference between lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds. The only true difference is their origin, which often makes lab-grown diamonds the optimal choice for those looking for budget-friendly and eco-friendly options.
Diamond Alternative: Moissanite
Love diamond qualities but looking for something a little more unique? Moissanite is a great alternative to diamonds. What is Moissanite? Imagine a gemstone that comes from the stars instead of the Earth. Sounds special, right? The rare mineral was discovered by Henri Moissan in 1893 while examining rock samples from a meteor crater in Arizona. At first, Henri Moissan believed the crystals to be diamonds, but he officially identified them as silicon carbide – two years after they discovered the ability to synthesize the chemical components to produce Moissanite in a lab.
In its natural form, Moissanite is extremely rare and has only been discovered in a small variety of places – including found in inclusions in mined diamonds. Because Moissanite is comparable on many levels to diamonds, it is now known as an alternative option to diamonds. Being eco-friendly with a high durability and great value, Moissanite can also sometimes have optical properties exceeding those of a diamond counterpart.
Shop Lab-Grown with The Ring Austin
At The Ring Austin, we have a wide variety of lab-grown diamonds, mined diamonds and Moissanite options for couples searching for an engagement ring that suits their style and their budget. In fact, we started offering lab-grown diamonds before any other jeweler in Central Texas so that we could offer our clients a variety of products at different price points.
Have additional questions about lab-grown diamonds, Moissanite, or other diamond alternatives? We’re more than happy to answer your questions – or better yet, come visit our store and take a look at the endless varieties we have to offer.