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More people are becoming interested in the origins of products, including gemstones. While shopping for an engagement ring, you may be concerned about the source of the diamonds and choose to focus on lab-grown alternatives.

Also called synthetic diamonds, these stones share all the same properties as their natural counterparts yet without mining, have a smaller environmental impact. Despite these similarities, keep the following in mind as you shop for lab-grown diamonds.

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are genuine stones down to their properties, molecular structure and appearance. Two methods can be used to create them: high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). HPHT diamonds aim to replicate the Earth’s process for creating a stone, using a combination of extreme heat (about 2,000F) and 1.5 million PSI of pressure. A newer process, CVD places carbon in a vacuum chamber to create a plasma-like substance.

These stones have just as much clarity and luminescence as mined options, with fewer inclusions. The lack of labor involved also means they’re conflict-free and can cost anywhere from 10 to 50 percent less. You also have access to a greater variety of colored and fancy diamonds.

Considerations for Lab-Grown Diamonds

Despite these benefits, the price of lab-grown diamonds can throw consumers a curveball:

  • Carats and Price: You’re more likely to find a bigger stone within your budget, as more carats do not always come with a larger price tag.
  • Color: Fancy colored diamonds are exceptionally rare and higher priced. Yet in a lab environment, these colors are created simply by adding another element. This ease and availability help bring down the price.
  • Long-term Value: On the other hand, the lack of rarity ultimately means your jewelry won’t appreciate over time and may even decline in value. If you’re hoping to eventually sell your purchase, you may break even at best.

Shopping for a Lab-Grown Diamond

Once you have an understanding of price, shopping for a lab-grown diamond is not that different from mined varieties.

Properties and the 4Cs

It’s important to see a lab-grown diamond in person, rather than purchasing based on a video or photo alone. You’ll also want to request a grading report from the jeweler.  

It’s a common misconception that lab-grown diamonds will be next to perfect. While these stones have fewer inclusions, keep the following in mind:

  • Color: Natural and lab-grown diamonds use the same grading scale. However, you’re more likely to find a white or colorless lab-grown diamond. At a lower grade, the stone may also have a faint yellow to brown tint. Scales include D, E or F (colorless); G, H, I or J (near colorless); K, L or M (faint color); N or R (very light) and S or Z (light color).
  • Cut: The same qualities and attributes apply to both natural and lab-grown stones. Cut should maximize how the stone interacts with light and the fire effect. With lab-grown diamonds, less material is cut off and you’re more likely to find a larger Good or Very Good stone.
  • Clarity: You’re more likely to find a lab-grown diamond with fewer inclusions. Both types of stones are graded with the scale of Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF) and Included (I1, I2, and I3). However, inclusion types vary. Lab-grown diamonds are more likely to have graphite inclusions or small cracks you can only see with magnification. Inclusions for natural diamonds come from water, gas and other minerals and additionally include cracks.
  • Carat: Understand that labs often intend to grow larger stones, so higher-carat lab-grown diamonds are more common – and lower priced – than natural alternatives.

Reports

For lab-grown diamonds, reports from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), HRD Antwerp and the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL) offer insight on stone qualities, touching on the 4Cs and why the stones were graded in such a fashion.

Although the GIA used to provide different scales for lab-grown stones, reports from more recent years now borrow qualifiers used for natural diamonds to provide a more efficient and direct comparison. Reports should include the stone’s measurements, proportions, finish, grade and the technologies used to create it.

For lab-grown diamonds turn your search to Hannoush Jewelers. Browse online, then visit one of our convenient Connecticut stores to learn more.