The diamond market has undergone a significant transformation with the advent of lab-grown diamonds. These diamonds, created using advanced technological processes, offer the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as traditional Earth-mined diamonds but at a fraction of the cost. This article provides a detailed comparison of the value and utility of Earth-mined and lab-grown diamonds using actual examples from various online diamond dealers, including data from Icestore.
Earth-mined or lab-grown diamond?
Physical Properties
Both Earth-mined and lab-grown diamonds have identical physical properties. They share the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), making them equally durable and suitable for everyday wear.
Chemical Properties
Chemically, both types of diamonds are composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystalline structure. This identical composition means that both types are indistinguishable from each other when tested with standard gemological equipment.
Optical Properties
The optical properties, including brilliance, fire, and scintillation, are identical in both Earth-mined and lab-grown diamonds. This is because these properties are determined by the diamond's crystal structure, which is the same in both types.
Cost
One of the most significant differences between the two types of diamonds is their cost. As illustrated in the table: We pulled this data on 06/24.
Vendor | Type | Carat | Color | Clarity | Cut Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Icestore | Earth | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $13,425 |
Lab | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $985 (-93%) | |
James Allen | Earth | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $14,595 |
Lab | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $2.710 (-81%) | |
Blue Nile | Earth | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $15,665 |
Lab | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $2,420 (-85%) | |
Brilliant Earth | Earth | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $15,600 |
Lab | 1.50 | F | VS1 | Excellent | $2,400 (-85%) |
This significant price difference provides substantial savings for lab-grown diamonds as the centerpiece of a stunning engagement ring.
At Icestore you can see a -93% cost difference while at other online vendors James Allen was a -81%, Blue NIle was at -84% and Brilliant Earth stood at -85% for a lab diamond.
Ethical Considerations
Lab-grown diamonds offer a conflict-free alternative to Earth-mined diamonds, which can sometimes be associated with ethical issues.
Lab-grown diamonds present an incredible opportunity for consumers to obtain the exact same beauty as Earth-mined diamonds at a much lower cost. They offer identical physical, chemical, and optical properties, while also addressing ethical and environmental concerns.
As the diamond market continues to evolve, lab-grown diamonds are poised to become an increasingly popular choice for consumers looking for quality, value, and sustainability.
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