THE REAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MINED AND LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
To help us determine which kind of diamond is best, let’s compare lab diamonds with mined diamonds. Which one is better? There are many practical reasons why lab grown diamonds are the best option, namely their lower price, eco-friendliness, ethical sourcing, and conflict-free status. In addition to those obvious reasons, we thought we’d also mention some less obvious ones that are usually not discussed in mainstream media.
No fluorescence. Because lab grown diamonds are made in a meticulously controlled environment, they do not exhibit fluorescence. The formation of mined diamonds, however, is beyond anyone’s control, which means it’s up to nature whether they fluoresce or not. So, what exactly is fluorescence? In a nutshell, fluorescence can drastically change the appearance of diamonds by making them appear milky, cloudy, or foggy, effectively making them lack vitality and life. Fluorescence being referred to as a ‘curse’ isn’t an exaggeration when it comes to mined diamonds.
Cut to perfection. When diamonds are made from scratch, they are uniform and well-defined, so laboratories can tailor-make shapes based on what diamond cuts are needed. Diamonds can be cut from the extra rough material with perfect shape and proportions without compromising the quality of the diamond. A rough diamond mined from the ground invariably comes in different shapes and sizes, drastically limiting the yield diamond cutters can produce from the rough diamond. Moreover, they are forced to sacrifice the ideal cut to maximize the weight (carat) of the rough diamond, causing the final diamond to be less vibrant and thereby look a little less dazzling.
No surface reaching inclusions. The presence of surface-reaching inclusions in man made diamonds is rare, whereas it is much more common in mined diamonds. Inclusions such as these can be noticeable and distract from their beauty. Additionally, if a diamond has surface-reaching inclusions, its structural integrity can be compromised, sometimes leading to catastrophic cracking when setting it into rings or jewellery.
Ultimately, lab grown diamonds offer more intricate and hidden benefits that might not immediately be apparent but will inevitably count later down the line. Though they are both made of the same material, lab grown diamonds have many inherent advantages over mined diamonds, including significant cost savings, ethical and environmental considerations, as well as their everlasting beauty.