If you’re in the middle of your engagement ring search, you’ve likely seen or heard about lab-grown diamonds. Although this new technology has been around for a while, the use of lab-created stones in engagement rings and other jewelry is fairly new. And, even though these diamonds have some really great benefits, some people still tend to make inaccurate associations and lean towards what the diamond industry has defined as ‘normal’ for so many years. So, today we’re going to bring you some background and facts about lab-grown diamonds that you might not have known before! That way, you’ll have all the information you need to pick out the perfect engagement ring for your significant other.

 

History of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Believe it or not, lab-grown diamonds were first made in the 1940s. Although their purpose was mostly for industrial applications, they were still created uses the basics — carbon under high heat and high pressure. However, these gems were not anywhere close to the man-made diamonds that are available today. Quality lab-grown diamonds have actually been available since the 1980s, but only recently (thanks science) has the technology improved the process to the point where the gems are comparable — in terms of the 4 c’s — to an identical mined diamond.

 

Today, lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically the same as mined diamonds. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission even changed their definition of the term ‘diamond’ to include those grown in a lab. There is no longer a difference, according to the FTC, between ‘mined’ and ‘lab-grown’ diamonds. They even warned mining companies against using the term “synthetic” when referring to lab-grown diamonds since this could be deceptive to consumers.

 

So, what does this mean for the future of the diamond industry? Lab-grown diamonds made waves in 2018, attracting consumers with their beauty and converting them with their benefits and price. According to a marketing study, 70% of millennials would consider buying a lab-grown diamond, showing us that this new technology just might be the future of the industry. So why is there such a newfound interest in these diamonds?

 

What Are The Benefits?

There are three really big benefits to lab-grown diamonds that the mined diamond industry really hopes you don’t discover. For starters, lab-grown diamonds are the environmentally-friendly choice. When it comes to comparing the impact of lab-grown diamonds vs. mined diamonds, the numbers are shocking. For example, while a traditionally mined diamond produces more than 125 pounds of carbon for every single carat, lab-grown diamonds emit just 6 pounds of carbon – a mere 4.8% of what mined diamonds produce. In total, air emissions on a single carat of mined diamond are 1.5 billion times higher than those of a lab-grown one.

 

Lab-grown diamonds are also the only way to ensure that your diamond was ethically sourced. Now you might be thinking, “what about the Kimberley Process...doesn’t that ensure a diamond came from an ethical background?” Unfortunately, there have been so many problems (lying, stealing, cover-ups, etc) with the Kimberley Process, that it’s no longer a reliable source. In fact, there’s actually been consumers who have taken it into their own hands to see if a retailer can tell them exactly where their diamond came from. Let’s just say...they had no idea. But, when a diamond comes from a lab (a safe line of work compared environment to the dangerous, unethical conditions of mines) you can rest assured that there is no blood on your hands...literally.

 

Finally, let’s talk money. Simple economics tells us that the shorter the supply chain of a product, the more competitively priced it can be. By reducing the amount of steps (and hands) in the lab-grown process, these diamonds tend to be 20-30% less expensive than the exact same (in terms of cut, color, clarity and carat) mined diamond. So, you can either save a good chunk of change for your wedding, or be the fiancee of the year by getting a ring that’s 20-30% larger, while still staying in the same budget.

 

Clean Origin

One lab-grown diamond company that’s standing apart from the rest is Clean Origin. Although the benefits of lab-created stones are enough to make anyone’s head spin, Clean Origin offers additional perks that you won’t want to pass up. Not only is their customer service team top notch, but anyone you talk with will have at least 5 years experience in the diamond industry. They’re not salesmen trying to make their next commission check — they know what they’re talking about and they can help you get the best ring at the best price. If that’s not enough, free shipping, free resizing, 100-day return policy and a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty are all also included.

 

So, if you’re in the middle of diamond research, add lab-grown diamonds to your list. A beautiful diamond with a clean origin, you can’t ask for much more.