lab grown vs natural diamond

As innovative lab diamond growing technology enables creating brilliant lab diamonds identical to scarce mined diamonds at far lower prices, discerning shoppers now face intriguing options deciding between “born from stars” legends or embracing these scientific ingenuity marvels as celebrity couples like Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegal have showcased in their non-traditional engagement rings. Moving beyond marketing slogans and instilled perceptions around romantic notions of value, let’s explore key similarities and differences between Lab made engagement rings and natural diamonds using current scientific knowledge so couples can weigh the trade-offs guided by personal priorities rather than industry talking points.

Fundamentally, natural diamonds crystallize over billions of years from carbon atoms deeply compressed underground, while lab diamonds use specialized equipment replicating those extreme heat and pressure conditions to grow lavish diamond crystals above ground in just weeks or months. These accelerated techniques replicate natural conditions, yielding gem quality diamonds with essentially equivalent optical, chemical, and structural properties. Both varieties rate identically on the 4Cs diamond grading scale assessing cut, color, clarity and carat weight. They test indistinguishable even using advanced spectroscopic instrumentation, since the elemental composition remains simply carbon in perfect crystalline formations.

Some subtle visual differences under microscopic inspection can reveal their origins to trained gemologists. Occasional minute fluid/gas inclusions give away lab diamonds, while most mined diamonds show cavities holding native mineral traces hinting at parent rock quarries. And they emit slightly different reactions under UV light. But these barely perceptible clues require expert analysis unavailable to average untrained eyes.

Pricewise, eliminating the scarcity premium allows lab diamonds to cost 35-50% less than equivalent quality mined diamonds carat for carat. Tech advances relentlessly trim production and processing overheads yearly as global output scales up. Recently improved growth recipes yield “type IIa” diamonds boasting exceptional transparency on par with the world’s most famed premium diamond mines discovered centuries ago.

Sourcing methods also impact consumer preferences, with mining operations plagued by environmental and human rights controversies that conscientious couples may wish to avoid implicitly supporting. Lab diamonds offer welcome respite from these ethical ambiguities. Their sustainable production methods recycle water with negligible ecological impacts relative to massive mining endeavors scarring Earth’s crust. And attributable origins provide supply chain transparency.

Nonetheless prestige still commands a premium for diamonds formed over eons rather than months. Marketing has powerfully etched notions of singular scarcity and records set at celebrity auctions for extraordinary colored natural diamonds unsupported by lab claims. But ask whether luxury prestige matters more than optimizing budgets to enrich marriage over ring monetary worth. Opt for caused-based brands aligned with values prioritizing ethics, sustainability and inclusion. Shop lab diamonds as emblem standing against forces seeking limiting access by controlling mythic intangible values only they bestow. Why feed the beast through perpetuating inflated perceptions when expanding beyond them gifts more beautiful possibilities for living symbolically “ever after” in this world rather than fantasies never fully materializing?

If equal beauty beckons, why not lean toward supporting ethical stewardship of global resources benefitting all? Dare to believe our love persisted millions of year under tectonic pressure before escaping to surface inscribed with clues to guide way forward, truth notwithstanding.