The GIA has declared lab grown diamonds as man-made products. But are they really lab grown? If so, what does this term mean? Is a MiaDonna lab grown diamond truly man-made? In this article, we will compare the similarities and differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds. Ultimately, we’ll determine which one is better for your budget. Aside from identifying the differences between them, we’ll also provide a brief history of each, and help you make a decision.
A man-made product
Although most people associate natural diamonds with royalty and high-priced heirlooms, they are man made diamonds vs real not entirely man-made. The first diamonds were formed deep underground in kimberlite pipes under high pressure and temperatures. However, only five percent of these kimberlite pipes have enough diamond to be mined. The first man-made diamonds were produced during the 1950s, and gem-quality lab-grown diamonds appeared in the market around 1971. In the mid-2010s, colorless lab-grown diamonds began entering the gem and jewelry market.
One drawback of lab-grown diamonds is their lack of resale value. The James Allen diamond, for example, is worth pennies on the dollar. It is unlikely that a jeweler would want to buy it back, so you’ll be forced to buy it from an eBay seller at a huge discount in order to get a good deal. In addition to being inferior to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds often carry huge price differences from their natural counterparts.
GIA certified lab grown diamonds
GIA is working to educate the public on diamonds and the differences between them. The organization offers certificate programs and seminars on diamond grading to train gemologists on how to tell natural diamonds from lab-grown ones. It teaches how to use the latest methods and tools to determine what is a diamond and what is not. While traditional gemological observations are insufficient to distinguish natural diamonds from lab-grown ones, there are sophisticated tools that can tell the difference.
The GIA has been grading lab grown diamonds since 2007, but they have not had the same stringent standards as mined diamonds. Before, the grading reports for lab grown diamonds were issued by the IGI and GCAL. Now, the GIA will issue a full color and clarity grading report for lab-grown diamonds online. This will be a major step toward more transparency in diamond-buying.
Diamonds aren’t “laboratory grown”
GIA has made a major change to its grading policy governing lab created diamonds. Instead of releasing reports for these diamonds, the GIA will only issue a report online. Moreover, the GIA will now grade lab-grown diamonds according to their color. This will be important because GIA diamonds are not all the same.
GIA previously only graded mined diamonds. Although it is a non-profit organization, it has made small steps in the direction of accepting lab-grown diamonds. The switch validates the industry and helps consumers navigate the jargon of the diamond market. For example, consumers can take a GIA quiz to determine what style of engagement ring would be most appropriate for them.
Diamonds are produced environment
MiaDonna diamonds are created in a modern day laboratory environment and are 100% identical to earth-mined diamonds. They are grown in a controlled environment without the need for mining, and are certified by the same gemological institutes that grade natural diamonds. They also cost 40% less than their earth-mined counterparts and have the same optical properties.
When compared to earth-mined diamonds, MiaDonna produces conflict-free, chemically and optically identical stones. This gives the diamonds no social or environmental impact, and they are thirty to forty percent less expensive. Moreover, MiaDonna also offers a low-cost alternative, known as the Diamond Hybrid, which consists of a crystal core and a thin layer of lab-grown diamond on the outermost layer. This gem is available for as little as $358 a carat.
Traditional engagement rings
Millennials and Gen Z are the generation lab grown diamonds UK that buck tradition and opt for non-traditional designs. They are looking for a unique and memorable engagement ring without emptying their wallet. Most of these millennials are not averse to buying a ring that represents their heritage, as long as they can find a design that reflects their own personality. They are also more apt to choose rings that are vintage-inspired or have elongated stones. In addition, millennials also like to choose engagement rings that are in the form of family heirlooms.
Remarks
While the traditional ring cost three months’ salary and lasted for a lifetime, millennials and Gen Z are a little more adventurous. They would rather spend less than three months’ salary on an engagement ring. This explains the fact that they are hesitant to spend more than a few thousand dollars on an engagement ring. However, they still want their partner to be happy with the ring they choose. The average cost of an engagement ring is now 20 percent less than it was a decade ago and wedding dresses are now 25 percent cheaper.
