6 Reasons to Buy a Lab-Created Engagement Ring

Created under extreme pressure, the diamond is the hardest known mineral on the planet and has come to represent the eternal love and commitment between two people. This rare and precious stone is valued for its dazzling beauty, and is also the top-selling gemstone for engagement rings.

However, diamond mining is also known to have a detrimental effect on local communities as well as the environment contributing to deforestation, soil erosion and the destruction of ecosystems. The term ‘blood diamond’, also called ‘conflict diamond’, has come to be associated with this stone due to the mining of diamonds in war zones to finance terrorism and insurgency.  As a result of such ethical and humanitarian considerations, traditionally sourced diamonds have lost their appeal for many.

Fortunately, lab-created diamond rings have proven to be a popular alternative choice for many consumers as the technology for producing such stones improves and more businesses enter the industry. The lab-grown diamond market share is forecast to amount to 10% of the global diamond market by 2030 with a predicted market value of $29.2 billion by 2025.

When it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring for your partner, lab-created diamonds make the perfect alternative and this article will explore some of the benefits of buying this stone in more detail.

More Affordable

Lab-created diamonds offer the same clarity, color, cut, and qualities as traditionally sourced diamonds, however, due to the shorter supply chain and lack of labor-intensive processes, they offer a more cost-effective means of buying a diamond and are often 40% to 60% less expensive* than mined diamonds. 

Unlike natural diamonds found beneath the Earth’s crust which can take anywhere between one billion and 3.3 billion years to form, lab-grown diamonds are created using similar processes yet take a mere six to ten weeks to yield diamonds of the same, if not better, quality.

Ethically Sourced

Diamond mining is known to exploit workers in third world countries, often involving human rights violations, poor working conditions and participation in child labor practices. The appeal of wearing a diamond that has been sourced from such conflicted regions and unethical origins has waned for many people who do not want to support or partake in these inhumane practices within the diamond industry.

By comparison, the production of synthetic diamonds does not result in harm, death or injury to anyone involved and instead offers a piece of jewelry with a clean history and background. Purchasing a lab-created diamond provides the reassurance and peace of mind of owning an ethically sourced and conflict-free diamond.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

Diamond mining can have a devastating impact on the environment and relies on the use of heavy machinery and explosives as well as substantial amounts of energy in the form of fossil fuels. In addition to detrimental ecological consequences including deforestation,  soil erosion and water pollution which negatively affects fish and wildlife, diamond extraction also releases harmful pollutants and carbon emissions into the air causing smog and contributing to climate change.

Due to the limited supply of this resource diamond mining is also not sustainable and as the demand continues to rise, the supply will inevitably deplete. Lab-created diamonds, on the other hand, offer a more sustainable alternative and can bridge the gap between supply and demand without damage to societies, wildlife and ecosystems.

Higher Quality

Both lab-created and mined diamonds have the same physical, chemical and optical properties, however, unlike naturally sourced diamonds, lab-created diamonds are often purer and of higher quality, as they are free of impurities and imperfections known as inclusions which can form as a result of the heat and extreme pressure the carbon atoms undergo during formation.

Since they are produced in a laboratory in controlled conditions using advanced technology, lab-created diamonds often result in brighter, clearer and more brilliant diamonds that receive higher quality ratings compared to their naturally-sourced counterparts.

Available in Different Styles

As with natural diamonds, lab-grown stones are available in a variety of contemporary shapes and designs. From pear, princess and asscher to emerald, marquise and radiant cut, you can choose a shape that suits your preference, Due to their relative affordability, lab-created diamonds also offer the option to create a bespoke engagement ring that is customized to your unique taste and style.

Affordable in Various Colors

hereas colored diamonds are highly priced due to their rarity (making them unaffordable for many), lab-grown diamonds sell at a fraction of the price thanks to the technological advances that enable them to be produced in a variety of colors. Colored lab-grown diamonds are often purer and more vibrant in color and consistency, as well as being more affordable.

As this article has highlighted there are many reasons to consider buying a lab-created diamond over a natural one making this a great option for an engagement ring.