Lab-grown diamonds v mined diamonds

Take two identical-looking diamond rings. Could you tell which was worth £4,000 and which was worth ten times as much?

To the naked eye it’s almost impossible to tell the difference but it’s all down to whether diamonds are lab-created or mined. 

In Jason Kohn’s Netflix documentary, Nothing Lasts Forever, he explores the wave of  

the wave of undetectable synthetic diamonds which have flooded global gem markets, threatening to expose the artifice that props up a multi-million pound industry.

And instead of focusing on the ethical issues in diamond mining, Kohn shifts the attention to the industry’s upper echelons.  In what makes for fascinating watching, there are interviews with jewellery designers, The DeBeers diamond cartel execs, auctioneers, scientists and more.

Gemologist Dusan Simic discovers that synthetic diamonds have become nearly indistinguishable from their natural counterparts and says his warnings to the industry went largely ignored. 

But jewellery designer Aja Raden, whose commentary is cryptic, talks about the largely undisclosed mixing of synthetic diamonds with lab diamonds.

She says: “People want diamonds because they’re told to want them. The diamond was always a lie, so the synthetic diamond is a lie about a lie. The problem is not the mixing. The problem is the consumers finding out about the mixing. As long as no one finds out, nobody cares. If I don’t know the difference, the difference doesn’t exist.”

What are lab-grown diamonds? 

Lab-grown, also known as man-made or cultured diamonds, have the same physical, chemical and optical properties as mined diamonds – even the same sparkle – but with the main difference, that they’re made in a laboratory and not mined. They are produced using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond formation process. 

How are lab-grown diamonds different from mined diamonds?

Natural diamonds form under intense pressure and extreme heat about 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, in the mantle. Most of these diamonds were created 1 to 3 billion years ago, during a time when the planet was much hotter.

Mined diamonds are formed naturally over billions of years, making each one unique. They hold a higher resale value due to their rarity and the perception that they are more prestigious.

Some people associate mined diamonds with the Earth’s natural beauty and appreciate the time required for their formation. This can make them desirable for heirlooms and particularly, engagement rings.

Why are lab-grown diamonds trending?

Man made diamonds are a rapidly growing trend in the industry with younger buyers drawn to the price as they are much cheaper than natural stones. This is because they can be produced on demand. They can also be made to look much more flawless and of course, they are 100% conflict-free.

And the growth is set to continue as more jewellers start to sell lab diamonds. By 2030, the global market volume of lab-grown diamonds is forecast to be nearly 19.2 million carats.

Shine bright like a diamond

Here at Luxe Watches, we offer many diamond options from bracelets to earrings and engagement rings. We can have them all and can make them all. Our diamonds are ethical, certified and sustainably sourced.

If you need help to find the perfect diamond offering, please contact our sales team in Epping, who would be pleased to assist.