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Original poster

Lab Grown Diamonds

131 replies

LaMarschallin · 15/03/2023 08:18

A poster has started a thread about whether or not to buy a diamond ring.
The diamonds are lab grown and a few people have said things like "That's a lot for a fake diamond" (my italics).
Didn't want to derail that thread with my question, but I want to get some diamond stud earrings and have been considering lab grown - basically because I'd get more bang for my buck (or carat for my cash, if you will).
I appreciate they aren't exactly the same as mined diamonds, but thought that they'd at least be superior in appearance to, say, CZ.
What are people's thoughts/experiences with lab grown stones?
I noted that they had been talked about as better for the environment than mined diamonds which I liked the idea of, but must admit that my main reason for considering them was price rather than ethics Blush

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
sparkleice · 17/06/2023 18:26

@Trinityloop what a bloody brilliant analogy

joshbrooks · 04/12/2023 12:57

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 01/02/2024 12:43

BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs · 15/03/2023 10:06

@LaMarschallin that's very kind of you to say! Hello!

I absolutely know what you mean (it just shows how good their flipping marketing is!), but I couldn't be more thrilled with my definitely non-Tiffany's, lab-grown engagement ring, which I still get fairly regular, lovely compliments about. I just don't mention it's lab-grown to people I know will be snobby about it, and no-one has asked.

I hope you do buy your earrings and thoroughly enjoy them with a completely guilt free conscience (both in terms of ethics and spend!)

Now, off to look for a lab-grown tennis bracelet to gaze at longingly...

Honestly I thought lab grown was just a nicer way of saying CZ

I think a lot of people do still think that because we've had so many years of CZ, glass, moissanite and other clear gems being marketed as 'affordable diamond equivalents' rather than just as the gems they are, so it's a natural assumption. I certainly thought the same.

They all absolutely have their place and are lovely as they are, but some of them (looking at you, CZ...) don't even have carbon in their structure, so they're nothing like actual diamonds. They're just clear and sparkly, but they sparkle differently if you know what you're looking for.

Old thread I know… but may I ask where the diamond was purchased?

Rosiiee · 01/02/2024 12:46

@PumpkinsAndCoconuts i know you didn’t direct your question to me but in case the original poster doesn’t reply, I have a lab grown from Brilliant Earth. It’s amazing and the service was great! From creation of the ring to delivery, can’t fault them!

poetryandwine · 01/02/2024 13:56

flutterbyebaby · 15/03/2023 10:05

A genuine question, will the lab diamonds be made faster and have more output than the mined ones? Is it not the rarity that defines the value and not the structure? I probably sound a right old daft head.

DeBeers is certainly trying to promote this viewpoint.

Even a jeweller needs strong equipment to distinguish between lab grown and mined diamonds

poetryandwine · 01/02/2024 13:58

Tourmalines · 14/06/2023 02:35

A gemstone is defined as beautiful, durable and rare . The more rare the more expensive. Lab grown diamonds have the same chemical and optical properties as natural. The methods of producing them are becoming more affordable. They are now flooding the market like never before and are dropping in price considerably. De beers want to protect the prices of natural diamonds so they will never flood the market with them . Lab diamonds certainly are becoming popular and they certainly beat cz .

Sorry, I had not seen this comment whennI postec

poetryandwine · 01/02/2024 14:04

Phoebo · 14/06/2023 02:38

I like the fact my diamond took millions of years to be made, I find that special. I wouldn't lab grown meat either. To me it's still "fake". It's like AI right, just because you can't tell its fake doesn't mean it's not fake.

What does ‘fake’ mean? Lab grown diamonds are lasered with a kitemark because even a jeweller cannot distinguish between a truly flawless mined diamond and a lab gown diamond. The molecular structure is identical.

If you mean that you find mined diamonds more romantic of course that’s fine, but not quite the same as calling lab diamonds ‘fake’.

poetryandwine · 01/02/2024 14:10

Apologies to all who commented on DeBeers’ cynicism before me.

I was drawn to this thread because I am thinking about diamond studs, probably lab grown.

flusterbluff · 01/02/2024 14:17

@poetryandwine What does ‘fake’ mean? Lab grown diamonds are lasered with a kitemark because even a jeweller cannot distinguish between a truly flawless mined diamond and a lab gown diamond. The molecular structure is identical

They are indeed real diamond but a jeweller with the right equipment can tell the difference. Because they are grown differently, each type of diamond has different growth patterns, thermal conductivity, and spectroscopy (the absorption and emission of light and other radiation), as well as differing yet specific types of inclusion or impurities.

I would still buy a lab grown.

Shadowssang · 01/02/2024 14:24

I would love some lab grown diamonds! Of course they aren’t fake. And I’m pretty uncomfortable with the ethics of mined diamonds.

But I can’t say that it’s a choice I have to make, sigh.

Rosiiee · 01/02/2024 15:03

Just to add, lab diamonds can be pretty expensive too. Not sure where the idea of ‘fake’ comes from but my lab solitaire costs 5 figures and tests as a diamond. It also has the 4 Cs that all mined diamonds have. There’s a laser engraved number that can only be picked up with a jewellers glass thing (whatever they use to look at clarity). That’s really the only difference with mined diamonds.

SarahC50 · 01/02/2024 15:12

@LaMarschallin can you say which online shops you've found nice lab grown diamond solitaire earrings in please? I am fancying a pair myself too xxx

poetryandwine · 01/02/2024 16:05

flusterbluff · 01/02/2024 14:17

@poetryandwine What does ‘fake’ mean? Lab grown diamonds are lasered with a kitemark because even a jeweller cannot distinguish between a truly flawless mined diamond and a lab gown diamond. The molecular structure is identical

They are indeed real diamond but a jeweller with the right equipment can tell the difference. Because they are grown differently, each type of diamond has different growth patterns, thermal conductivity, and spectroscopy (the absorption and emission of light and other radiation), as well as differing yet specific types of inclusion or impurities.

I would still buy a lab grown.

You are correct, @flusterbluff . I meant to say ‘a jeweller without proper equipment’. Thanks for the correction

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 02/02/2024 07:45

Rosiiee · 01/02/2024 12:46

@PumpkinsAndCoconuts i know you didn’t direct your question to me but in case the original poster doesn’t reply, I have a lab grown from Brilliant Earth. It’s amazing and the service was great! From creation of the ring to delivery, can’t fault them!

Thank you! I appreciate it!

I am really interested in lab grown diamonds and gems (ethics, price etc.) but most jewellers don’t sell them where we live (and some refuse to work with them…)

and buying online is difficult when it comes to this kind of purchase. I just don’t know enough to judge the quality offered by these online vendors.

ethica diamonds, green earth and James Allen seem to crop up. So these are - hopefully - good places to start!

namestevalian · 06/02/2024 23:13

SarahC50 · 01/02/2024 15:12

@LaMarschallin can you say which online shops you've found nice lab grown diamond solitaire earrings in please? I am fancying a pair myself too xxx

London diamonds! Have a ring from there and now ordering studs x

AshleyLC · 30/04/2024 10:42

Cyanchicken · 15/03/2023 11:03

Any recommendations for a jeweller selling lab grown diamonds - am looking for a wedding and eternity ring?

Try LeCaine Gem's, it's jewelery online, you can find moissanite and lab grown diamonds.

Buy Moissanite Jewelry Online in Singapore, the USA & Worldwide

LeCaine Gems offers a fine selection of moissanite and diamond jewelry pieces online worldwide, in the USA, & in Singapore to complement our Millenia Walk store.

https://lecaine.com/

Newnamesameoldlurker · 30/04/2024 10:43

BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs · 15/03/2023 08:41

Lab grown diamonds are not 'fake'. They are still diamonds - they're simply not comparable to CZ or another gemstone being passed off as a diamond, in exactly the same way as mined ones aren't.

They have exactly the same carbon structure as mined diamonds, and they cannot be differentiated by the naked eye unlike other gemstones. The only real difference in terms of structure is that mined diamonds generally have small deposits of nitrogen (ie defects) which can be seen with a microscope, which lab grown won't develop. You, and everyone that sees your earrings, could not tell whether they are lab grown or mined.

For the price, you get a bigger diamond, with better colour and clarity, that you can confidently say has not been sourced unethically...but people would rather pay more for a inferior product with a potentially extremely questionable ethical background just because it came out of the ground and is therefore 'special'? More fool them.

Get the lab grown diamonds and if you're embarrassed, just don't specific my they're lab grown. No one will know unless you tell them.

This

EnnaJohnson · 23/07/2024 12:29

Lab-grown diamonds are definitely not 'fake.' They are real diamonds, created in a controlled environment, unlike CZ or other imitations. They have the exact same carbon structure as mined diamonds, so to the naked eye, they’re indistinguishable from mined ones.

In fact, the only notable structural difference is that mined diamonds often have tiny deposits of nitrogen, which lab-grown diamonds don’t. These can only be seen with a microscope. So, if you get lab-grown diamond earrings, no one will be able to tell the difference unless you tell them.

For the price, lab-grown diamonds offer bigger stones with better color and clarity. Plus, you can feel good knowing they haven’t been sourced unethically.

Go for the lab-grown diamonds. If you’re worried about what others might think, you don’t have to mention they’re lab-grown. They’ll look stunning, and only you will know the difference.

I adore my mined diamond engagement ring because of its sentimental value, but if I had the choice again, I’d opt for lab-grown. They’re visually identical and much more cost-effective.

I'm currently shopping for a tennis bracelet and I'm going lab-grown all the way! They look fantastic, are more affordable, and are a more ethical choice. It’s a no-brainer for me – they’re cheaper, better for people, and look just as beautiful.

Original poster
LaMarschallin · 23/07/2024 13:59

EnnaJohnson

Thank you Smile
I'd had to put my earring plan on hold due to expensive dental work but funnily enough I'd been re-reading this thread just this morning.
Hope you get a lovely tennis bracelet - I think they're gorgeous.

OP posts:
EnnaJohnson · 24/07/2024 11:18

Lab-grown diamonds will definitely be produced faster and in larger quantities compared to mined ones. The rarity of natural diamonds does play a huge role in their value.
The value of diamonds is influenced by the Four Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat), and the costs involved in mining, exporting, and finishing natural diamonds are also factored into the price.
Lab-grown diamonds are likely to become more common and affordable over time, especially since they eliminate the millions of years needed for natural formation.
My jeweler told me that as lab-grown diamonds become more prevalent, their prices will likely drop, while high-quality natural diamonds will maintain their value. However, the demand for natural diamonds might decrease, similar to how luxury brands like Rolex are sought after by those who want the name and can afford it, while others opt for less expensive alternatives.

4o

GettingStuffed · 24/07/2024 11:41

flutterbyebaby · 15/03/2023 10:05

A genuine question, will the lab diamonds be made faster and have more output than the mined ones? Is it not the rarity that defines the value and not the structure? I probably sound a right old daft head.

Diamond aren't rare it is just that De Beer control the market and only release limited numbers to keep the price artificially high.

Galoop · 24/07/2024 11:52

Of course they're fake. Diamonds are amazing because they took millions of years to form, they weren't created by a human in a lab. I'd go real or else a good synthetic stone

Tourmalines · 24/07/2024 11:57

Lab grown diamonds have dropped so much in price they have no value at all . I’m in the trade . Too many people are getting blatantly ripped off by some greedy jewellers selling high priced lab grown diamonds. Buyer beware .

Tourmalines · 24/07/2024 12:00

Galoop · 24/07/2024 11:52

Of course they're fake. Diamonds are amazing because they took millions of years to form, they weren't created by a human in a lab. I'd go real or else a good synthetic stone

Man made diamonds are synthetic diamonds . That is the legal term , as with any synthetic stone . They have the same optical and physical properties as the natural. They are not fake .

poetryandwine · 24/07/2024 14:48

Galoop · 24/07/2024 11:52

Of course they're fake. Diamonds are amazing because they took millions of years to form, they weren't created by a human in a lab. I'd go real or else a good synthetic stone

What do you suppose a lab grown diamond is? It is precisely an excellent synthetic stone, chemically and physically identical to a mined diamond.