The difference between natural and lab-grown gemstones
Do you love the look of natural diamonds but find the price tag too hefty? Are you worried about the environmental sustainability or ethics of mining natural gemstones? Lab-grown diamonds may be the answer! Here’s a look at why lab-grown diamonds are gaining in popularity.
What does lab-grown mean?
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as cultured diamonds, are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments with advanced technological practices, like high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapour deposition (CVD). These practices closely mimic the natural geological processes in which diamonds develop deep within the Earth’s crust.
Lab-grown diamonds aren’t that different
Did you know there’s virtually no visual difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds? In fact, lab-grown diamonds share the same physical, atomical and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Even professional gemologists must use specialized equipment to tell the difference. Lab-grown diamonds often even have better fewer inclusions and blemishes than mined ones.
In addition to being visually indistinguishable from natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds have the following advantages:
-
They’re more sustainable
Mining natural diamonds requires large amounts of fresh water and fossil fuels. It also involves extensive land excavation that often leads to deforestation. Since lab-grown diamonds are created in small diamond-growing chambers, they have a far smaller impact on the environment and produce next to no waste. Plus, lab-grown diamonds are a renewable resource, whereas natural diamonds, which require millions of years to form within the earth, are not.
-
They’re more affordable
Lab-grown diamonds are made using advanced technological processes. This makes them far cheaper to produce compared to the resource-intensive mining of natural diamonds. As a result, lab-grown diamonds are priced approximately 20 to 40 percent lower than their natural counterparts. This affordability advantage allows you to purchase larger carat sizes and enjoy more impressive cuts within your budget.
-
They’re traceable
Did you know that approximately one natural diamond in four is mined in a war zone and sold to finance armed conflicts? In contrast, lab-grown diamonds offer transparency and ethical sourcing. Since they’re created in highly controlled laboratory environments, lab-grown diamonds have a clean history and can be reliably traced back to their source. Therefore, you can feel good knowing where your diamond came from.
Diamonds aren’t the only gemstones that can be lab-grown. At Ben Moss, we carry various lab-grown gemstones, like rubies, emeralds and sapphires.
Lab-grown diamonds in Edmonton and Winnipeg
Are you interested in lab-grown diamonds? Visit your nearest Ben Moss today. We have an impressive selection of lab-grown diamond and gemstone jewellery to suit any budget. We have over 16 locations across Canada from which to serve you. Contact us today for more information or browse our website to discover our impressive jewellery selection.
