Things to know and consider when buying the perfect diamond ring for your perfect partner
Diamonds have long captivated the human imagination with their mesmerizing beauty and enduring allure. Renowned for their brilliance, diamonds are not only cherished as symbols of love and luxury but also revered for their rarity and unique geological origins. However, recent advancements in technology have introduced an alternative to naturally occurring diamonds – lab-grown diamonds.
Aside from the considerable amount of consideration that goes into selecting natural diamonds, the availability of lab-grown diamonds just adds even more complexity to the decision-making process.
Fret not, as the article delves into a detailed comparison analysis of natural and lab-grown diamonds, exploring their respective characteristics and their market value. Hopefully, this can help you make the most informed decision.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified jeweller before making any jewellery purchase. The recommendations made in this article are the independent view of The Wedding Editorial.
Understanding how diamonds are valued
Source: Jonathan Stein
Before we dive into the comparison between lab-grown and natural diamonds, we need to know how diamonds are valued. A diamond’s value is determined by its 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.
Source: McGowans Jewellers
First off, we have the cut which refers to the structure of a diamond, its angles, proportions, and symmetry. All of the factors mentioned above will determine the sparkle and brilliance of the stone. Hence, a good thing to always keep in mind when selecting the diamond’s cut is that we don’t want to select one that has a deep cut or shallow cut.
Diamonds with deep cuts is that it will look less lively and have lower brightness. The deeper the cut of the stone, the duller it looks. In addition, when such diamonds with deep cuts are set in a mounting, they look smaller than ideal-cut diamonds of the same carat weight.
It is also ideal to avoid diamonds with shallow cuts because, although it does have the advantage of appearing larger than they actually are, shallow cuts will also result in the diamonds losing their sparkle and brilliance as a trade-off. Arguably, this could be a good way to get the best bang for your buck – but we recommend you not to.
The second factor that affects a diamond’s value is its colour, which is graded according to its whiteness or colourlessness in relation to its setting. The GIA grades diamonds from D to Z, with D being the most colourless, and Z containing a brown or yellow tint. Diamonds with such tints may interfere with white or coloured light reflections. Although It may be difficult to detect with the naked eye, these subtleties can result in major price differences.
Source: Camille Carnevale
Thirdly, would be a diamond’s clarity. Natural diamonds are formed deep below the earth’s surface under high pressure and extreme temperatures. For this reason, practically all natural diamonds have slight imperfections within them, sometimes referred to as ‘birthmarks’ or ‘inclusions.’
Source: Auctentic
The clarity grade essentially evaluates how many inclusions the diamond has. Most diamonds are closely examined under 10X magnification and graded using the 11-point diamond clarity scale created by the chart above.
The last factor that affects the value of the diamond is its carat, which refers to the carat weight of a diamond. 1 carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Naturally, the larger the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond will be.
What are lab-grown diamonds?
For those who are unsure, lab-grown diamonds are created through a process called chemical vapour deposition (CVD) or high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis. This innovative technology replicates the natural conditions necessary for diamond formation in a controlled laboratory environment. By introducing a carbon-rich gas into a chamber and subjecting it to extreme heat and pressure, scientists are able to grow diamonds that possess the same physical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts.
So what are the key differences and which should you purchase to get the best bang for your buck?
Key Differences
Price
The first and biggest difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds would be the price. Given that natural diamonds are much rarer and require mining, they are priced at a much higher premium whereas lab-grown diamonds are typically more affordable because they can be produced in a controlled environment without the need for mining– a process that has been scrutinized for its environmental impact and questionable labour practices.
For reference using Michael trio, a 0.9-carat (ct) D VVS1 Cushion Cut natural diamond ring might set you back anywhere between S$4,000 – S$6,000 whereas a lab-grown diamond ring of the same cut, colour, and size would only cost you within the range of S$2,000 – S$3,000 (FYI, this is just for the diamond. It excludes the band of your choice). This huge disparity is one of the key reasons more and more couples are going for lab-grown diamond rings instead of natural diamond rings.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
As briefly mentioned, the mining of natural diamonds has been linked to human rights abuses and environmental damage. The extraction of natural diamonds can have significant environmental consequences, including habitat disruption, water pollution, and carbon emissions. Additionally, there have been ethical concerns related to the mining of diamonds in conflict zones (conflict or blood diamonds).
Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are a more ethical option, as they do not require any mining. The production of lab-grown diamonds generally has a lower environmental impact compared to mining natural diamonds, as it requires less energy and does not involve destructive mining practices. Lab-grown diamonds are often touted as a more ethical and sustainable choice.
Resale Value
Last but not least, even though it might not be a key consideration for most, it’s good to note that natural diamonds generally have a higher resale value than lab-grown diamonds. This is because they are rarer and have been around for longer. However, the resale value of lab-grown diamonds is increasing as they become more popular.
For most couples who buy a diamond ring for their significant other, the thought of selling the diamond in the future rarely crosses their mind. Of course, there are exceptions hence, this could be a consideration point for couples when decide to go for a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond.
Words from the author
A lab-grown diamond would be an optimal choice over a natural diamond— from a financial perspective, of course. The price of a lab-grown diamond is nearly half of a natural diamond so with the same budget in mind, you could potentially get a lab-grown diamond with a better cut, clarity, or even larger carat size.
Regardless, if you are purchasing a lab-grown diamond or a natural diamond, it should be a decision made together— something that is of both of your choices. The importance lies within the milestone you celebrate.
One Comment