One of the rarest gems, a large purple-pink diamond named The Sakura, has recently sold in Hong Kong for a record-breaking $29.3 million. The 15.81 carat diamond is described as flawless, and is the largest of its kind to be sold at auction. Diamonds have an enduring appeal, and are the most popular gemstone used in jewelry, but, while rare and extraordinary gems will always make the headlines, jewelry makers, sellers, and their clients are now embracing man-made diamonds. It is impossible to differentiate lab-grown diamonds from naturally occurring gems, but without compromising on quality, authenticity and appearance, they are more environmentally-friendly, ethically sound, and cost-effective.
Increasing Awareness Of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Although the first man-made diamond was created in a laboratory over 50 years ago, it is only within the last few years that advances in technology have allowed scientists to create stones that are indistinguishable from diamonds created in nature. Lab-grown diamonds have identical chemical and physical properties to mined diamonds, but they are produced with much less impact on the environment. As more people are becoming familiar with the process of lab-grown gems and the benefits it brings, man-made diamonds are seeing a surge in popularity. A survey of jewelry consumers found that the level of awareness of cultured gems has risen from almost nothing 15 years ago to 80% in 2020. As an increasing number of prominent jewelers commit to selling lab-grown diamonds, the credibility of cultured gems as an alternative to naturally-created diamonds is growing. As a result, the Antwerp World Diamond Center predicts annual increases in demand for lab-grown diamonds of up to 20% in the future.
Considering The Benefits Of Cultured Gems
The Federal Trade Commission has recently removed the description ‘natural’ from its definition of a diamond, taking away the distinction between naturally-grown and lab-created diamonds. As long as lab-grown pure carbon crystallized stones are clearly labeled as such, they can be legitimately called diamonds. Now that all diamonds are considered on an equal footing from a physical point of view, the environmental and ethical benefits of lab grown diamonds stand out. Growing diamonds in a lab only requires half the energy per carat as mining diamonds, and the process releases around two thirds less carbon into the atmosphere. There has been some dispute over environmental advantages as both the companies growing diamonds and the mining industry are increasingly using renewable energy and attempting to become more sustainable. However, there is no doubt that growing diamonds in a lab removes the potential for human rights abuse, which many claim is still an issue in mines around the world.
The enduring popularity of rare diamonds now extends to lab grown gems. While it is impossible to tell the cultured gems apart from naturally sourced diamonds, they are created with less damage to the environment and in a more ethically responsible way. These benefits, together with an attractive price tag, make man-made diamonds appealing to a growing number of jewelry consumers.