Lab created diamonds have a significant advantage over natural ones: they have a lower cost per carat. They also use significantly less water than mined diamonds, lowering the carbon emissions. These are important benefits for consumers considering their purchase. But how do lab created diamonds stack up? Read on to learn more about them and their advantages. And don’t forget to learn about their environmental impact, too. Here are some examples of both.
Natural diamonds cost
While laboratory-created diamonds cost more than their retail value, the disparity is shrinking. Several technological advancements and repeated innovations have decreased production costs. A one-carat lab-grown diamond, for example, will now cost about $2300. This price difference is likely to continue to decrease as more manufacturers and traders enter the marketplace. Eventually, these gems will reach a point where they can compete with natural diamonds for the same retail price.
A big difference between mined and lab grown diamonds nz lies in their mining process. Compared to mining, lab-grown diamonds use significantly less water and generate fewer carbon emissions. Moreover, diamonds grown in laboratories are more expensive than their retail value, which means that they are more expensive for consumers. Fortunately, there are other advantages of lab-grown diamonds as well. Here are some of them:
Process of making diamonds in a lab
Lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories, and they are created from carbon seed material. Like flowers grown in a greenhouse, these stones grow layer by layer. Scientists replicate the conditions of diamond formation by using two main techniques: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).
The CVD process begins by introducing a mixture of gases into a high-temperature chamber. Then, a substrate is added, usually a sliver of diamond seed. However, the carbon also needs a substance to adhere to, which is a graphite matrix. This carbon then crystallises into a diamond. The process is complicated, and technicians must stop it often to remove the crystallized graphite surrounding the diamond.
Despite these drawbacks
The environmental impact of lab-grown diamonds is far lower than those of natural diamonds. The diamond-growing process uses less energy than the mining process. Diamond growers aim to minimize their energy use to save costs and the environment. Despite these drawbacks, lab-grown diamonds continue to be popular. Diamond shoppers will ask you the same question. Only you will know for sure if a diamond is natural or lab-grown.
One of the biggest advantages of lab-grown diamonds is the price. Unlike natural diamonds, they do not have the same value and cannot be resold to a jeweler. A lab-grown diamond will not fetch more than a few dollars on eBay. On the other hand, a natural diamond can fetch more than 50% of its original price, if not more. Therefore, buyers should consider buying diamonds that are ethically produced and insured.
Price of lab-grown diamonds
While the supply of natural diamonds is limited, the supply of synthetic diamonds is unlimited. This makes them cheaper. This is why the price of lab-grown diamonds is dropping rapidly, and shows no signs of stopping. A lab-grown diamond bought today for $1,000 could be worth less than a fraction of that amount in two to three years. This is why you should purchase diamonds that are certified by a recognized lab.
While both natural and lab-grown diamonds are beautiful, the natural ones still have more mystery, allure, and true value. In addition, mining and manufacturing diamonds helps support local communities, unlike the lab-grown diamonds that are manufactured in laboratories. If you’re looking for the perfect engagement ring, opt for a natural diamond instead of a lab-grown one. Moreover, the price of lab-grown diamonds is sure to go down in the near future, which means the diamonds you’ve bought will no longer be worth the money you spent on them.
Remarks
The process of creating a lab-grown diamond is not without environmental cost. High-pressure hydrogen tefral (HPHT) and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) processes require large amounts of energy and resources. Because these processes involve temperatures of over 800o C and pressures of up to 70,000 atm, the energy required for such processes comes from non-renewable resources like fossil fuels. The production of one polished carat of lab-grown diamonds results in the release of 511 kg of greenhouse gases. This is equivalent to the emissions from a typical US household of 48 metric tons of greenhouse gases each year.
