If you’ve been shopping for that perfect piece of jewelry, chances are you’ve come across the conversation of lab grown diamonds vs natural diamonds. Ever since becoming an option in the jewelry world, buying a lab grown diamond is definitely something to consider.
If you’re curious about the difference between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds, read on to have some of your questions answered and gain a better understanding of what they’re all about.
So what exactly is a lab grown diamond?
Just like the name suggests, it’s a diamond that was manufactured in a laboratory. You may also see them called man-made or engineered diamonds, but they’re made in one of two ways. One is the High Pressure High Temperature method (HPHT), and the other is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
In a highly controlled laboratory environment, scientists duplicate conditions in which diamonds are naturally created. Only instead of taking billions of years to form under the earth’s crust, a lab grown diamond can be made in a couple of weeks. Once the diamonds are created, they are cut and polished the same way as a natural diamond.
How are lab grown diamonds different from natural diamonds?
Aside from the length of time it takes to create a lab grown diamond, structurally speaking, they’re the same. A lab grown diamond contains the same chemical and physical attributes as a natural diamond, they even receive certification from Gemological Institute of America and International Gemological Institute. So yes, a lab grown diamond is a real diamond!
One difference you will notice when comparing lab grown and natural diamonds is the price. Generally you can get a lab grown diamond for a lot less than you would normally pay for a natural diamond.
Can you see a difference?
Just by looking at a lab grown diamond next to a natural diamond, nope. Unless you’re using advanced testing equipment, you won’t be able to tell the difference. The look, the clarity, the feel, the strength, it’s all there. A natural diamond will have tiny amounts of nitrogen, while a lab grown diamond won’t. That’s one way a gemologist can tell the difference, but to everyone else, they’ll both have a beautiful brilliance, sparkle and shine.
Is a lab grown diamond right for me?
There’s no real answer to this question. If budget is a factor, you’ll find lab grown diamonds as the more budget friendly option, but there’s something to be said about wearing a natural diamond that took the earth billions of years to create.
If you’re still up in the air on lab grown vs natural diamond, stop into Morgan’s Jewelers at 77 East 3rd Street in Historic Downtown Winona, Minnesota and have a look for yourself. We are more than happy to show you options and answer your questions.
Let us take care of you. At Morgan’s Jewelers, we want to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for in a beautiful piece of jewelry, no matter the diamond you choose.
