Lab-Grown or Mined Diamonds, Which is better?
In the world of jewellery, there is no right stone to suit everyone. Each gemstone tells its own story, and is a personal choice for everyone. When it comes to diamonds, there is a lot of buzz around lab-grown or moissanite alternatives - and it can feel very overwhelming and confusing. Here, we will cut through the confusion to discuss each option, and help figure out which option may be best for you.
Natural Mined Diamonds
There is no denying how impressive a natural diamond is, created in extreme conditions over millions of years they are certainly the definition of rarity and timelessness. All diamonds, whether they’re created or natural, are valued by the four C’: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. Natural diamonds increase dramatically in price with each increase in one of the four C’s, ranging from a few thousand into a few hundred thousand dollars.
Diamonds are considered the most ideal stone for their historical significance and emotional resonance. Diamonds have symbolised love and commitment for centuries, making them the traditional choice for engagement rings and other sentimental jewellery pieces. Contrary to popular belief, the diamond mining industry does have some positive economical benefits for the countries mining them, contributing greatly to the countries economy. It is worth noting, that with time the rules surrounding diamond mining have become tighter but there are still issues of unethical practices to be aware of. The best way to avoid conflict diamonds is to buy from a reputable jeweller that can provide certification for the diamond.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Over the past few decades technological advancements have completely changed the gemstone industry with the introduction of Lab-Grown (or created) Gems. Lab-Grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments, using technology to mimic the natural diamond growing process. Although they have been man-made, these diamonds are still real diamonds, they are chemically and physically the same. However, there are few distinct differences.
The primary difference is price, Lab-grown diamonds are generally half (if not, less!) the price of a natural diamond. Since lab diamonds skip the mining process entirely, there are less steps to charge for, and because they are created there is no value in their rarity. Another benefit to lab-grown diamonds is that they are a more environmentally friendly choice, since there is no need for environmental degradation, they significantly reduce their carbon footprint, and are free from the ethical concerns of traditional mining practices.
Moissanite
Moissanite is an entirely different gemstone altogether, first discovered in a meteor crater over a century ago, and has become a popular alternative to both natural and lab-grown diamond. Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide, and shares a similar physical appearance to diamond. However, they are not identical as moissanite has a distinct ‘fire’ which sparkles in a more colourful way.
The key benefit to moissanite is its affordability and accessibility, compared to diamond moissanite offers a similar look at a fraction of the cost. Moissanite is also a very durable stone, ranking just below diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness. Ultimately, moissanite is a great budget-friendly alternative to diamond.