The demand for lab grown diamonds are edging higher, and the price is right for the more price conscience person in the market to purchase a diamond but are you still confused about the differences between natural and lab grown diamonds? Lab-grown diamonds are becoming popular choices for engagement rings and other jewelry purchases. However, you should always know what you're getting before you buy. At Amrhein’s Fine Jewelry we have sold natural diamonds since 1921 and have recently decided to add some lab grown diamonds to our inventory. In this blog we try to help you focus on the most important points of each type.
Natural
This one is easy; it was created entirely in nature that began forming deep in the earth’s crust from the time of the dinosaurs. It was then pushed towards the earth’s surface through volcanic activity, and generally found in what are known as kimberlite pipes. Only about five percent of kimberlite pipes contain enough diamond to make them economically feasible to mine. If the crystal was formed with no outside human interaction, that diamond is considered a natural diamond. If humans decide to do things to the crystal acter it is discovered, like heat treating or laser drilling, they are still considered natural but treated. The same holds true with other gemstones like ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
Synthetic – Lab Grown
This is where the information can get a tad dicey. For a gemstone to be considered synthetic, or man-made, it must first have a natural component. By definition, a synthetic gemstone must match its natural counterpart chemically, physically, and optically within very narrow limits. A natural ruby is crystallized aluminum oxide, Al2O3. A synthetic ruby is crystallized aluminum oxide, Al2O3.
With that being said, a natural diamond is ‘C’, carbon. It is a single element gemstone. A lab grown diamond is ‘C’. It is also a single element gemstone. So, what is the difference between a ‘lab grown’ and a ‘synthetic’? There are very few differences. Remember, a synthetic gemstone needs to match its natural counterpart chemically, physically, and optically within very narrow limits. Lab grown diamonds meet those criteria. But also understand this; all synthetic gemstones are lab grown gemstones, and all lab grown gemstones are synthetic gemstones as well.
Referring to a gemstone as either lab grown, or synthetic is just industry nomenclature. Those terms are just marketing terms. Remember back when we used to think that dark, salt and pepper diamonds were awful looking? Well, they still don’t have the brilliance of clearer diamonds, but now they are marketed as salt and pepper diamonds, and everybody wants them. This is the same idea with chocolate diamonds. That’s some marketing magic right there and we love both options!
Here is another point to consider when purchasing synthetic diamonds which will be the topic of our next blog. There are two types of cultured diamonds: HPHT vs. CVD. HPHT lab grown diamonds are created under extreme heat and extreme pressure and CVD are created under Chemical Vapor Decomposition. Which one does AmRhein’s Fine Jewelry sell and why will be our next blog. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, to know when this is posted.
Imitation
An imitation gemstone is a gemstone that has no shared physical traits with a natural gemstone other than kind of looking the same. For instance, clear glass, cut and faceted, is an imitation diamond. Red glass, cut and faceted, is imitation ruby. It is also possible for a gemstone to be natural and imitation at the same time. Faceted, natural, white sapphire can be a natural sapphire, or it can be an imitation diamond. The same holds true with synthetic spinel. Depending on the color, it can be synthetic spinel, or it can be an imitation sapphire.
Cubic zirconia is an imitation diamond because its chemical makeup is ZrO2. A diamond is ‘C’. Moissanite is an imitation diamond because its chemical composition is SiC, silicon carbide. We understand some people claim that cubic zirconia and moissanite do occur in nature, but – just like an alien– we’ve never seen it!
A natural diamond, it’s estimated, takes more than thousands of years to grow. A lab grown diamond takes between 30-45 days to grow. But, once a diamond crystal has been mined or grown, the process to cut and polish is the same.
I hope that gives you a better understanding of lab grown diamonds; so now let’s discuss what’s happening in the industry surrounding them.
Industry Lab Grown Manufacturer and Supplier Thoughts
The competition is heating up. As more and more manufacturers are coming online, more and more product is making its way into the market. When discussing pricing, most agreed that the prices are coming down. The wholesale price for natural diamonds is not as volatile and changes infrequently. The wholesale price for lab grown diamonds changes about every two months, and they only change in one direction – down!
The reluctance of retailers not wanting to carry them is like when moissanites hit the market as an acceptable replacement for diamonds. Moissanites look similar to diamonds but are not true carbon crystals. There are retailers out there that are still killing it with moissanite to this day. There are retailers that refuse to sell lab grown and are killing it with natural. There are retailers that sell both and are ‘banking the jack’ with both. As for AmRhein’s Fine Jewelry, we are still on the fence, but have decided just recently to add some lab grown diamonds to our inventory.
Another interesting topic to consider; “If natural and lab grown diamonds are ‘identical,' then why are there several methods available to distinguish one from the other?” The answer was simple; they are not identical. They are chemically, physically, and optically very close, but not identical. Just like we have methods to differentiate between natural and synthetic sapphires, there are methods to differentiate between natural and lab grown diamonds. Traditional gemological observations and old-style “diamond detectors” are not able to tell them apart. Identification at a professional jewelry store that uses sophisticated devices developed by GIA and other organizations are the only reliable methods to separate them from natural diamonds. At AmRhein’s Fine Jewelry we have a reliable advanced spectroscopic technology device that we use to determine the diamonds.
We hope this answers a few questions that many of you have about this new ‘current thing’ that is only going to gain traction in the market in the coming years. If you have any questions about this topic or would like to see in person natural and lab-grown diamonds, drop by our showroom to visit with our gemologist, Tom.
Still have questions regarding natural, synthetic or imitation diamonds? The experts at AmRhein's Fine Jewelry are here to help you. Drop by our showroom Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5:30 pm.
We can also be reached by email at info@amrheins.com or by phone 540.989.7100. Learn more about diamonds here
Resources:
Is it real, or is it Memorex? A Retailer’s Perspective: Southern Jewelry News, December 2022.
Is There a Difference Between Natural and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds? GIA News, May 31, 2019
