This week I’ve been thinking about Natural Diamond vs Synthetic Diamond so I want to discuss that here. Then since we’re on the topic let’s also talk about Diamond Simulants.
A lot of time people seem to think they are all the one and same. “Kajal, how is a Diamond simulant different from Synthetic diamonds?” That’s a question I get that all the time and something. But of course not…
Let me explain.
DIAMOND SIMULANT
Any colourless transparent gem material which looks like a diamond but is not is a diamond simulant.
They are other materials but wouldn’t be called synthetic diamonds.
In fact, they are not diamonds at all.
Sometimes the resemblance is so convincing when you look at those.
However, optical, chemical and physical properties of Diamond Simulants are very different to those of naturally occurring diamonds.
Here’s a list of Diamond Simulants that will make it easy to understand.
Natural materials:
- Quarts (Colourless)
- Sapphire (Colourless)
- Spinel (Colourless)
- Zircon
Man Made materials:
- Synthetic Cubic Zirconia
- Synthetic Rutile
- Glass
- Plastic
- Synthetic Moissanite
SYNTHETIC DIAMOND
Have you heard of LAB GROWN DIAMONDS? That’s what it is.
Both the names can be used interchangeably as these are real Diamonds reproduced by man in a lab using artificial process.
So what is it?
Following years and years of trial and error, experiments after experiments, men have finally been successful to create real diamonds in every form, shape and characteristics. The only difference is that they were made in a lab by man instead of by nature in the earth.
Synthetic diamonds are made of the same material as natural diamonds- Pure carbon. They are created by providing the exact conditions of temperature, pressure and chemical environment as inside the earth. They have the same optical, chemical and physical properties as naturally occurring diamonds. Synthetic diamonds are not diamond simulants and they are not fake diamonds.
So if someone shows you a lab grown diamond it is impossible to know if it came from the earth or from the lab. Even experts would find it difficult to say unless tested in a lab.
Is that a problem?
- Yes if you are buying from an unreliable source. Otherwise in general there’s nothing to worry about. It is required to clearly state if one is selling naturals or lab growns. Any reputable jeweller will always be true to their words. After all any one who is there to stay long term in business would want to serve the clients as best as they can.
- The best way to find out is to ask your jeweller for a grading report. The GIA- Gemological institute of America will indicate on the grading report if the diamond is synthetic.
- If someone’s selling you something for a price so unbelievably low for that item, then you probably shouldn’t buy it. It’s just common sense that it probably might not be what you think it is! How else can you explain the price? You still go ahead and make a purchase then you are asking for the problem!
What about the Price? are those cheap?
Lab grown’s are still not exactly cheap. There’s much that goes into producing it too.
You can probably get these at 30%- 50% less than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality.
So for someone who is looking for a diamond of a certain size but it is out of the budget then Lab diamonds might be a good alternative.
Or if you’re a conscious soul yearning for a little bling to wear without any guilt you can be happy knowing it’s not conflict diamond and not helping to deplete earth’s diamond resources. But if you’re looking for “eco friendly” then apparently this is a term which cannot be used lightly according to this article here. “It is rare that a product can have an environmental benefit in all the ways that consumers might take away from a general claim.” https://www.jckonline.com/magazine-article/lab-grown-diamonds-eco-friendly/
But we also need to be aware that as technology progresses and it gets easier and easier to produce these and the supply also increases prices might fall considerably. So I think the fear is also there that there might be considerable drop in resale value whereas if you invest in a natural diamond that should hold it’s re-sell value.
The future
Offering a collection of Lab Grown diamonds along with our natural diamond jewellery might be the next thing here at KN if there is enough demand. However, at present we only use ethically sourced natural diamonds for all our diamond jewellery https://kajalnaina.com/product-category/type/earring/
I’d read in some sources that currently the market is 95% natural diamonds and only about 5% Lab grown Diamonds.
What about you? I hope you enjoyed reading this and learnt a little more about the gemstone that captivated the world.
If you’re a diamond lover would you consider buying lab grown diamonds?
Please do leave your answer in the comment section below.
I’d love to hear your answer as to Why you answered YES or NO.