Lab grown diamonds are everywhere at the moment and they are especially starting to dominate the UK engagement ring industry. You may be surprised to find out that lab grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds which has primarily led to the rise in lab diamond engagement rings.
They are fast growing in popularity amongst financially savvy couples who are also seeking an ethical alternative to mined diamond rings. Consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the sourcing of the products they purchase and this also extends to the jewellery they wear. According to the BBC nearly 70% of millennials are now considering a lab diamond alternative engagement ring.
So what exactly are lab diamonds and what are the benefits of opting for a lab grown diamond?
Lab diamonds are 100% real diamonds
To the naked eye there are no differences when you compare the two side by side, the only difference are the diamonds origins. Both share the exact same visual and chemical properties. A lab grown diamond is quite literally grown in a lab by expert scientists in the same way a natural diamond ‘grows’ within the Earth’s crust. There are two different methods used to produce exceptional quality lab diamonds: HPHT and CVD. Both of these methods produce extraordinary high quality diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds are made up of carbon atoms, arranged in the same characteristic diamond crystal structures exhibited in natural diamonds. Therefore, this means they perform and exhibit the same brilliance and sparkle as a natural diamond. All lab grown diamond rings that Lily Arkwright set are fully certified and accompanied by an industry standard GIA, IGI or GCAL grading report, including the cut, colour, clarity and carat weight specifications.
Lab diamonds are durable
As previously mentioned, lab diamonds share the same chemical composition as mined diamonds, including the same score on the Mohs Scale of hardness. This is a scale used to determine the scratch resistance of certain minerals. The diamond (including lab diamonds) is known for being the hardest mineral on planet earth and holds a score of 10 on the Mohs Scale of hardness, the highest ranking of hardness a mineral can hold. That’s why lab diamonds are loved by many as a choice for engagement rings, designed to be worn on a daily basis.
Lab diamonds are more affordable
Lab diamonds engagement rings cost up to 30% less than mined diamonds. This is due to a small-scaled production chain, there are less people involved in the production and transportation of growing lab diamonds in comparison to conventional mined diamond methods. Therefore, lab diamonds are an amazing choice for someone who seeks a big rock to turn heads without the hefty price tag attached to heavy carat weight gems!
Ethical and Sustainable
Buying an ethical ring is an easy way to support sustainability and to do a great environmentally friendly action. Lab grown diamonds have a significantly smaller carbon footprint and all the ethical & social implications that are usually involved in mined diamonds are eliminated. Not just this though, when purchasing a lab diamond ring you’ll also be buying a fantastic, high quality piece of jewellery that is just as good, if not better, than your conventional diamond.