Lab grown diamonds have become quite popular in the last few years, and that popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. They’re competitively priced, ethical, don’t have a negative environmental impact, and look just as stunning as naturally mined diamonds. But this list of features is only scratching the surface. In this article, we will go over each one in detail.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are synthetic diamonds that are chemically, physically, and optically the same as mined diamonds. People often confuse them with cubic zirconia and moissanite (the majority of which is lab grown), but they’re not the same thing.

Lab diamonds are created in a lab under controlled conditions rather than formed naturally deep within the earth. Using advanced technology, scientists can mimic the high pressure and heat conditions that turn carbon into diamond crystals deep underground. This process allows diamonds to be made with precision in just weeks–not the the billion-plus years it takes for them to form naturally.

Who Created the First Lab Grown Diamond?

The first lab grown diamond was created by a General Electric chemist named Howard Tracy Hall. Hall used HPHT to achieve this world-changing event, and this method is still in use today. However, it’s not the only one.

Along with high pressure high temperature (HPHT), the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is also used to create lab diamonds. Growing diamonds using either method requires a small diamond seed, as well as high levels of temperature and pressure.

Exponential Popularity Growth

Over the last ten years, lab grown diamonds have become quite popular in the jewelry industry. Many major retailers now carry lab created diamond engagement rings, women’s and men’s wedding bands, and other fine jewelry.

Furthermore, you know a particular item is at the height of popularity once Hollywood’s elite embraces it, and many celebrities now own lab diamond engagement rings. Some notable celebrities with lab grown diamond rings are Idina Menzel, Bindi Irwin, and Nikki Reed.

An Eco-Friendly Alternative to a Natural Diamond

When it comes to their impact on the earth, mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds are worlds apart. In order to extract a single carat of diamond from the ground, mining operations must excavate nearly 100 square feet of land. The process also generates close to 6,000 pounds of mineral waste.

This level of disruption damages habitats and ecosystems. On the other hand, lab grown diamonds require zero excavation which is a major benefit to the earth. This alone is a huge advantage of choosing lab diamonds over diamonds mined from the ground; however, the benefits don’t stop there. Other considerations when discussing the advantages of lab grown diamonds on an environmental level have to do with water and energy use.

Lab Created Diamonds Require Less Water and Energy to Make

A massive amount of water is used at diamond mines. In fact, a mined diamond consumes more than 126 gallons of water per carat. Lab grown diamonds consume just 8.

In terms of energy, mined diamonds use 538.5 million joules per carat. Lab grown diamonds use 250 million. Plus, much of the energy used to create lab grown diamonds is renewable.

Overall, lab grown diamonds are a sustainable alternative. They’re produced indoors under precise conditions, so there’s no need for invasive mining. Labs can produce diamonds of any size without disturbing the land whatsoever. It’s an area where lab grown truly outshines the competition.

Diamonds Created In a Lab Have Zero Ethical Issues and Are Truly Conflict-Free

Lab diamonds provide a conflict-free guarantee and promote responsible, ethical sourcing. When you choose lab grown, you never have to wonder if you have blood diamonds on your hands because you know exactly where they came from–a lab.

The unethical practices and human rights violations around mining natural diamonds are top of mind for many consumers. And while many jewlery companies can claim their diamonds are conflict-free, the only way to guarantee that claim is if their diamonds are lab grown.

Lab Grown Diamonds Are Cost-Effective

High-quality lab grown diamonds retail for about 30-50% less than mined diamonds–and we are talking about lab created diamonds versus natural diamonds of comparable cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Even when mined diamonds go on sale they rarely match the prices of lab grown.

Lower-priced lab grown diamonds make luxury diamond jewelry available to a broader range of consumers. Usually, only the wealthiest individuals can afford larger, flawless mined diamonds with top clarity and color.

But thanks to lab grown diamonds, more people now have access to their dream jewelry–whether that’s a diamond engagement ring, a diamond tennis necklace, or a set of diamond studs in a larger carat size.

Unmatched Quality

While lab grown diamonds are still prone to the same clarity, color, and carat weight variances as natural diamonds, they can still be produced with a higher degree of accuracy.

The controlled lab setting they grow in allows for strict quality control throughout the diamond growth process. Variables like heat, pressure, growth times, and more can be precisely calibrated for optimal diamond quality. This level of control is impossible with mined diamonds, leading to more quality variation.

Lab Created Diamonds Come In a Wide Variety of Colors

People often wonder whether lab grown diamonds come in different colors. And the answer is yes, a range of colors is possible beyond popular choices like D (colorless) or J (near-colorless) diamonds. Lab diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow, from pink to blue and even yellow.

The Future of Lab Grown Within Sustainable Luxury

The reality is that consumers now want sustainable luxury goods. Thanks to this demand, there is a growing shift toward environmentally friendly options like lab diamonds.

Long gone are the days when people considered lab grown diamonds to be “fake” or cheap versions of “real” diamonds. Consumers understand that lab diamonds are indeed real, and it’s clear to them that lab grown is the better option for both our planet and the people who inhabit it.

Shop Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry With Clean Origin

As we’ve discussed, lab grown diamonds offer outstanding brilliance and quality identical to mined diamonds. Lab diamonds are environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and affordable.

If you’re looking for beautiful diamonds that match your values, then lab grown is the way to go. When you buy lab grown you can purchase with confidence knowing that you’re not harming the earth or its inhabitants–both now and in the future.

At Clean Origin, we have a vast selection of affordable lab grown diamond jewelry to choose from. Explore our selection of lab grown diamond engagement rings, diamond stud earrings, stacking rings, and much more! Our quality is exceptional and our prices are some of the best you will find.

Shop with us today!