Pros and cons of lab grown diamonds (2023)

Lab diamonds are real diamonds at a fraction of the price. But are they worth it? Here are the pros and cons to help you decide.

You're not the only one confused about lab diamonds.

Some think they are the future of the diamond scene. However, some will say that you are better off with a different stone. So should you still buy lab diamonds?

The laboratory diamondare becoming popular alternatives to natural diamonds. But they also have disadvantages to consider. Below are the benefits of lab diamonds and why they may not be right for you.

Are lab diamonds as good as natural diamonds?

are lab diamondsreal diamonds. They are as good as natural diamonds because they are identical. They have the same chemical and physical properties.

Laboratory diamonds are as brilliant and durable as their natural counterparts.

The only difference is where they came from. Natural diamonds are formed deep underground. Whereas lab diamonds are made by mimicking the same process in a lab.

Can Jewelers Say Lab Diamonds?

Jewelers and gemologists cannot identify lab diamonds with traditional tools. Diamond testers cannot detect them either.

The only way to confirm your diamond's provenance is to test it in specialized gemstone laboratories. Today, jewelers also use laboratory diamond testers, such asGIAs iD100. However, these devices can be expensive and vary in accuracy.

Advantages and disadvantages

Laboratory diamonds and natural diamonds are the same. But they still have differences in price, resale value, quality, and more.

Together, these differences give lab diamonds advantages and disadvantages over their natural counterparts.

Lab Diamond Profis

1. Cheaper real diamonds
   Lab diamonds cost about 60-70% less than natural diamonds. That means you can buy a real diamond for approxa third of the price.

   Take James Allen's diamond collection, for example. Her1 Carat F VS1 Excellent Round Natural DiamondsRetails for at least $6,970*. Meanwhile hersLaboratory diamonds of the same qualityonly cost $1,650.

   See Also

   9 pros and cons of lab grown diamonds | TeachJewelry.comThe pros and cons of buying a lab grown diamondLab-grown diamonds: pros and consPros and cons of lab grown diamonds (pros and cons) - better meets reality

   *Prices as of June 19, 2022

2. Better quality
   It's easier to produce higher quality diamonds by growing them in labs. Laboratory diamonds grow under controlled conditions. Because of this, they are more likely to receive higher color and clarity grades.

   You don't have to worry as much about getting a diamond with visible flaws or color casts.

   Laboratory diamonds can also surpass natural diamonds in terms of cut quality. They contain fewer defects. Synthetic roughs also have a more consistent shape. As a result, the cutters have fewer restrictions to achieve the best diamond cut.

3. more environmentally friendly
   You don't have to displace hundreds of tons of earth to create lab diamonds. That's acres of forests and watersheds saved. Crafting Lab Diamonds, unlike their mined counterparts, doesn't deal as much irreversible damage.

   But even laboratory diamonds are not spared from environmental influences. they produceemits large amounts of greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, their ecological footprint remainslower compared to natural diamonds.

4. Ethical Sourcing
   are lab diamondsconflict free. They are manufactured under safe laboratory conditions. So you don't risk buying stones mined by enslaved workers to fund wars.
5. Cheaper to insure
   Lab diamonds are cheaper to replace and to insure. They also come with valuation reports and valuation forms to verify their value. This also protects them from theft, damage, travel and more.
6. Cheaper colored diamonds
   Ever wanted to stand out with a pink, blue or yellow diamond? Natural fancy diamonds are rare and super expensive. But colored lab diamonds cost a fraction of the price.

   TheRound 1-Carat Diamond in Pinkby James Allen costs a whopping $66,530. Compare this to hers1 carat pink lab diamondpriced at just $3,360.

   Look at James Allen'sloose colored lab diamonds, or the collection of Blue Nilebaby pink and blue labrador diamond jewelry.

   Fun fact:Red diamonds are the rarest of all colored diamonds. Only 20 to 30 are known in the whole world.

Lab Diamond cons

1. No resale value
   TheResale value of all diamondsis generally weak. You cannot resell a diamond for profit. But it's worse for lab grown ones.

   Lab diamonds have no resale value. Because they are mass-produced, they have no value for being rare. In the future, due to technological advances, they will become even cheaper. If you plan to resell your lab grown product,You're lucky if you get 10% of what you paid for it.

2. Not infrequently
   Mass-produced stones are a disadvantage if you or your partner value rarity. You don't get unique, one-of-a-kind stones.
3. Prejudices against laboratory diamonds
   Not everyone appreciates lab diamonds. Some, even your partner, may simply prefer a natural stone.

   If you're buying a lab grown diamond, it's best to prepare for the occasional rumor that you own a fake diamond. Or that you are a curmudgeon.

   (Video) Should you buy a Lab Grown Diamond? | 2ct Lab Grown vs Natural Diamond Comparison | Ultimate Guide

4. Fewer insurance providers
   It is cheaper to insure a lab diamond. ButSome jewelers warnthat insurance policies may be more difficult for them to obtain.

   Still others say that insuring them is not a problem at all. In any case, make sure you have your insurance options ready before purchasing a lab diamond.

Lab Diamond compared to other diamond alternatives

Still not sure if a lab diamond is best for you?

See how they compare to other diamond alternatives. Note thatcubic zirconiaAndMoissanitenare just diamond simulants. Unlike lab diamonds, they are not real diamonds.

Labordiamant vs. Zirkonia

Cubic zirconia is a man-made, diamond-like stone. They are cheap and sometimes treated as disposable items.

Compared to diamonds, cubic zirconia is always white and flawless. But they are not that brilliant. And instead of the white sparkle of a diamond, they emit rainbow lights. They can also chip and become cloudy after a few years.

Lab Diamond vs Moissanite

Moissanite is a natural white gemstone discovered on a meteorite. They are extremely rare, which is why most moissanites today are also lab grown.

Moissanites are super durable and won't scratch or tarnish. They range between 9.25 and 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. That's almost like a diamond's perfect 10. That's why they are also eternal stones, but for a fraction of the price of a diamond.

Like cubic zirconia, moissanites emit rainbow sparkles. But they're more brilliant than diamonds, so you're getting a very eye-catching ring.

Are lab diamonds worth it?

That depends on what "worth it" means to you.

The financial, environmental, and ethical benefits of lab diamonds are enough to convince many people to make the switch. But they may not be for you if their synthetic origins, lack of rarity, and zero resale value bother you.

If you think lab diamonds are worth it, here are three of thembest places where you can buy them.

The best places to buy lab diamonds

1. James Allen
   James Allenis among the best online diamond dealers for value, selection and customer service. It features over 50,000 loose lab diamonds with great customization options. However, James Allen does not offer the lowest prices.
2. Clean Origin
   If you are looking for the best prices on lab diamonds, take a lookClean Origin. All Clean Origin diamonds are lab grown and handpicked. They are guaranteed to be optically flawless. But they don't run as many selections as James Allen.
3. Blue Nile
   Blue NileThe Lightbox collection sells fine jewelry made from laboratory diamonds. The prices are very competitive. All lab diamonds, even fancy colored stones, cost $800 per carat.

bottom line

We hope we have helped you understand the pros and cons of lab grown diamonds. You have many advantages to boot. But they also have downsides that can be a deal-breaker for some people.

Ultimately, deciding whether a lab diamond is worth it is a matter of personal preference. Buying a diamond is a big decision. So take the time to educate yourself about your needs.

Talk to your partner about it too. What matters in the end is that you are both happy with the gem that symbolizes your love.