LAB DIAMOND… ARE THEY ALL THE SAME?
LABORATORY DIAMOND
So are all lab-grown and lab-grown diamonds the same?
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS ARE AS DIFFERENT AS MINES
While Lab Diamonds (lab-grown diamonds) are becoming more popular because they are affordable, conflict-free, and environmentally friendly, it is important to remember that not all lab-grown diamonds are created equal. Just like diamonds that form in the ground, there are many differences in lab-grown diamonds.
If only you knew what I have witnessed over the past 25 years. My dear friend, brother, elder, I believe that knowing what to look for and what questions to ask will help you choose the best diamond for your engagement ring!
Here's what you need to know when looking at the quality of lab-grown diamonds.
WHERE ARE DIAMONDS MADE?
First of all, all lab-grown diamonds have the same basic structure and chemical, physical and optical properties as mined diamonds. The only difference is that mined diamonds are cut from the ground in rough crystals, while lab-grown diamonds are machine-made. But even lab-grown diamonds have differences.
Diamonds grown in the United States have a more consistent power supply grid and cleaner water sources than those grown in other countries.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Lab-grown diamond machines are pretty cool—they look like they came out of a sci-fi movie! These capsules use super-high pressure and water to “grow” a small diamond seed into a larger diamond.
The process is interrupted and the final product is affected by factors such as fluctuations, power outages, etc. in the electrical network.
The same goes for water. Clean, filtered water produces a better diamond rough crystal. And both can cause problems in lab-grown diamonds that can be seen after they’re cut and polished.
Otherwise, all lab diamonds would come out the same, right?
It is useful to pay attention to these factors so that your lab-grown diamond can maintain its value in the future.
EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON THE CUT
Whether mined or lab-grown, all diamonds still need to be processed and turned into diamonds.
Diamonds are cut by machines and humans (yes, there are still diamond cutters around!) to become brilliants, and it's really cool to watch!
A big part of a diamond’s value and beauty is how well it’s cut. Lots of Math. The best looking, sparkliest diamonds have the best cutters. And some lab-grown diamond manufacturers don’t go for quality, they go for quantity – they produce boatloads of diamonds – but the pieces are… let’s just say a little off or ugly, not worthy of a diamond.
Having an expert friend (that's us) is a big help in overcoming ugliness. I've literally handled a lot of diamonds in my life and I can tell which ones are well cut at a glance. Look, I'm not talking about certificate values etc. When I pick up that diamond, I either smile or say "ehhh there you go" and set it aside.
Otherwise, I don't look at a stone I hold in my hand and say, "Hmmmm, this is this color, this clarity, this has this, this has that." That's the job of certification institutions. For me, it's important for a diamond to shine. Everyone confuses shine with color. Shine and attention-grabbing are factors that have nothing to do with color.
LABORATORY GROWN DIAMOND CERTIFICATES
Many diamonds, both mined and lab-grown, are graded and certified by independent laboratories. These certificates give a grade, not the value of the gemstone. It's like a report card. The better the grade, the more valuable the diamond.
However, diamond grading is very subjective. The same diamond can receive different grades depending on who is looking at it. It’s weird, but whatever; that’s what it is.
Some lab grown diamond producers now have THEIR OWN diamond labs. We think that’s a conflict of interest. The whole idea of an independent lab is to give it a grade that determines its value. So – if I make a diamond and give it an A (but it’s really just a C), then I make more money selling it. Hmm.
At Bir Karat, we sell lab diamonds (laboratory graded and mined) that have been graded by an independent laboratory. And we do this by examining the labs and the manufacturers. Unlike mine diamonds, lab diamonds have a known manufacturer.
So you get what you pay for with lab diamonds.
What advantage does it give you and us to have a known manufacturer?
Having a known laboratory diamond producer will provide you with flexibility, convenience and confidence in future cashing out and replacement transactions.
It's that simple.
Let me give you a car example, when you want to change your FORD car to a higher model FORD car, would you find it easier to do it from a HYUNDAI dealer or a FORD dealer? Well, changing cars is also difficult these days, but still an example.
When buying a lab diamond, ask the seller about the manufacturer, they can only tell you the country (maybe…) or maybe the cutting company. Other than that, they don’t know and don’t really care. The unknown or unconcerned factor is interesting. In fact, there are 10 good manufacturers in the world, that is, those who grow diamonds. Yes, 10… Besides that, there are thousands of cutters and sellers. Alphabetical order… Were you surprised by DeBeers?
- Apollo Diamond (sold to Scio Diamond in 2011)
- ALTR Created Diamonds
- De Beers (Lightbox)
- Diamond Foundry
- Gemesis (renamed to Pure Grown Diamonds)
- novaXgems
- Scio Diamond Technology Corporation(colorless)
- Tairus
- WD Lab Grown Diamonds
Quality raw materials come out of these factories, and these raw materials are sold to thousands of companies that cut and market stones at very different prices depending on their quality.
Once cut, the certification process begins.
Meanwhile, the Republic of China has the largest share in production with 56%. However, quality is a different matter.
There is no other person in Turkey who has been involved in diamond alternatives or man-made diamonds for years as much as I have. It may sound like arrogance, but it is true that I will never be modest about this issue. If there is one, let them come forward 🙂
BUYING A LAB-GROWED DIAMOND ONLINE
In some cases, this is a no-brainer!
Lab-grown diamonds are nothing like television.
You can order a specific TV model from a variety of sources. Prices may vary slightly depending on shipping, sales, or the seller's profit or willingness to sell, but in the end, they all ship the same TV with the same features from the same factory. It's a smart move to research and buy a TV online, as we all do.
The same thing changes a little bit in the perfume example. You also wonder whether the perfume is real or fake and when you choose from reputable sellers, the same perfume comes to you.
I'm sorry but I trust Beymen more if I'm going to buy online...
The situation is different with lab-grown diamonds.
There may be a price difference of 1 to 2 between diamonds with the same features (i.e. the features you are looking for at first glance), which you do not realize.
You interpret this as seller A making more profit than seller B, but this is not true. Remember, you get what you pay for in diamonds. There are no cheap diamonds or 60% off…
Long story short:
NOT ALL LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMONDS ARE CREATED EQUAL!
You still need good people (i.e. diamond dealers) to guide you through some decisions. Our expertise and experience will help you avoid costly mistakes and save money (and the planet) when you make a choice.
You really need to see a few side by side to compare and see which one “winks at you.”
WE HAVE ALSO SEEN MANY ONLINE COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT HONEST IN THE LEAST WAY.
Recently, a person came to us with a "diamond" that he bought from a foreign website and said was grown in a laboratory. Even without examining it, it was clear that it was not a diamond. It even had an international certificate that we all know.
It looked bad; there was something strange about the finish. The customer was told it was a lab diamond, but it turned out to be just plain cubic zirconia (atom) with a diamond coating on it that fooled the diamond testing equipment.
The worst part was when the customer tried to return it the company accused THEM of replacing the “real” diamond with a fake CZ! Our friend had imported it and paid the customs duty, VAT and customs fees.
When he compared the stone he bought as a laboratory diamond with any stone we have, even he could easily see the difference.
- NOT ALL LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMONDS ARE CREATED EQUAL!
- CANNOT BE PURCHASED WITHOUT SEEING
- PRICE COMPARISONS CAN NOT BE MADE WITHOUT SEEING THE SUBJECT (UNLESS YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL IN THE SUBJECT)