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Original poster

Lab created diamond

174 replies

pocketvenuss · 02/01/2023 13:00

What do people think of lab created diamonds. They are the same molecular structure and are actual diamonds. Only specialist jewellers with specific devices that can allow the differences in the inclusions that indicate lab growth rather than natural.
Would you be happy with a lab grown diamond engagement ring?
On the plus side they are miles cheaper and conflict free. On the negative side, they are somehow not the same as a 'naturally created' diamond even though they are real diamonds.
But then again real diamond prices are artificially boosted by DeBeers.

OP posts:
Violashift · 02/01/2023 15:59

Love them. Love Science me.

TheShellBeach · 02/01/2023 15:59

My engagement ring is lab-grown diamonds, as is my eternity ring.

I love both of them and they were ethically produced.

Lab created diamond
YaWeeFurryBastard · 02/01/2023 16:07

Yesthatismychildsigh · 02/01/2023 13:13

Something fake as a symbol of something so meaningful? No. And the same molecular structure or not, they’re fake. No blood diamonds either, though.

They’re not “fake” at all, they’re just made in a different way which doesn’t risk the lives of innocent people, usually young children. You’re incredibly naive if you think you can get a mined diamond without any ethical concerns.

I have both mined and lab diamonds and the lab diamonds actually look nicer due to the higher quality, even a jeweller friend of mine couldn’t tell with a naked eye.

Also the resale thing is a load of rubbish really as diamonds don’t tend to hold their value anyway and you can get a lab diamond for about 1/4 of the price of a mined one - invest the money you’ve saved and you’ll be far better off than any resale value of a mined diamond.

donquixotedelamancha · 02/01/2023 16:14

they are somehow not the same as a 'naturally created' diamond even though they are real diamonds

The only sense in which they are materially different is that they are higher quality.

Personally I would not want stones which encourage a deeply immoral industry.

Noimaginationforaun · 02/01/2023 16:17

It wouldn’t even occur to me to ask! When my DH proposed, I just loved my ring and didn’t think to ask if it was a natural or lab grown diamond!

villamariavintrapp · 02/01/2023 16:18

Yes, I'd like it. I did try to go for an ethical diamond for my ring at the time, but realise now this would have been a much better choice and wish I'd done it.

Michiru · 02/01/2023 16:18

The only chemical difference between a lab grown diamond and a mined one is that the latter contains impurities. I'd be thinking would I prefer something impure, or something pure which is also cheaper?

SallyWD · 02/01/2023 16:19

Sounds good to me. I bet no one could tell the difference.

WeAreBorg · 02/01/2023 16:20

These look great - can anyone recommend a good jewellers who sells them?

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/01/2023 16:21

Yesthatismychildsigh · 02/01/2023 13:13

Something fake as a symbol of something so meaningful? No. And the same molecular structure or not, they’re fake. No blood diamonds either, though.

How are they fake? They are carbon, arranged in a certain way. Just because it was done without child labour, dirty money and funding wars, that makes it worse? Seems an odd position.

HiccupHorrendousHaddock · 02/01/2023 16:23

I think they are fantastic - so much safer and more ethical. They are no less 'real' than a mined diamond.

TheShellBeach · 02/01/2023 16:34

WeAreBorg · 02/01/2023 16:20

These look great - can anyone recommend a good jewellers who sells them?

www.angelicdiamonds.com

TheShellBeach · 02/01/2023 16:35

In fact, you can get either mined or lab-grown at Angelic Diamonds. Your choice.

blindfate · 02/01/2023 16:36

WeAreBorg · 02/01/2023 16:20

These look great - can anyone recommend a good jewellers who sells them?

Try Ethica diamonds - ethica.diamonds/ - a small business based in Cornwall that sells jewellery with lab grown and moissanite diamonds. It's where my engagement ring came from and I adore it, I'd never buy a mined diamond now lab grown is so readily available, less expensive, and so much more ethical.

Mariposa26 · 02/01/2023 16:37

My engagement ring is lab grown and I love it, they are much more ethical as others have said and it also meant my partner could get much more for his budget so I have my perfect ring. It’s beautiful!

CatLick · 02/01/2023 16:38

Vintage or lab grown diamonds are more ethical. You ll never feel guilty about it.

MarshaBradyo · 02/01/2023 16:38

When I see those ads in places where mining occurs I can’t help but think of conflict etc

I’m not sure I have a greater desire for lab bought but would probably avoid diamonds - I do have an engagement ring which was a family diamond passed down, slightly better I suppose for not buying new but it still came from somewhere

Catoneverychair · 02/01/2023 16:40

It's just associated value, really. A stupid idea and people for for it. Just carbon.

Alexandernevermind · 02/01/2023 16:40

I would have one. I have a friend who has an absolute beauty of a lab grown trilogy, just spoilt (imo, wouldn't say it to her) by the act that it's set in silver.
I think I would prefer an antique diamond ring overall.

Frith2013 · 02/01/2023 16:41

I don't understand the obsession with diamonds. It's all just advertising and image.

mumofone2019 · 02/01/2023 16:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

Squamata · 02/01/2023 16:43

How do you get them out of the dog, though?

MoniJitchell · 02/01/2023 16:47

I didn’t pick my own engagement ring, but if I had I would have picked lab grown or moissanite. You get far more for your money and the ethical concerns with mined diamonds make me uncomfortable.

Deadringer · 02/01/2023 16:48

I wouldn't see them as fake at all, just an alternative. I am an old gimmer with 'real' diamonds that I never wear. They are a great idea imo.

Ansumpasty · 02/01/2023 16:49

I would. One of my ‘real’ diamonds has dropped out my engagement ring, so I don’t wear it. Been hinting for a lab grown replacement for a few years now…

They look the same, fraction of a price, can get a much bigger stone and nobody will know. Who’s the fool, I think!