Pros and Cons of Man-Made Diamonds
Over the past decade, the jewelry industry has fully embraced the concept of synthetic diamonds. Differentiated only by origin, lab-created, man-made diamonds are just as stunning as the finest mined diamonds, but come with minimal ethical and environmental impact. Are lab-created diamonds right for you? Here’s what you should know about these beautiful technological marvels.
What Are the Pros?
For couples who are looking for an eco-friendly, more affordable alternative to traditional diamonds, lab-grown gems are a great option. Created in dedicated facilities using highly specialized equipment, technology and responsibly sourced raw materials, synthetic, lab-made diamonds offer several advantages over mined gems, including:
They’re Identical to Natural Diamonds
To the naked eye, a lab-grown diamond is identical both chemically and optically to a mined diamond. The only difference is that lab-made diamonds include microscopic inscriptions. Without specialized equipment, however, you cannot tell whether a diamond is synthetic or naturally mined.
Lab-grown diamonds are also held to the same strict standards as naturally mined diamonds. They must be polished and cut by master cutters to form beautifully faceted gemstones. At that point, they provide all the same shine, fire and sparkle of a mined diamond without the same costs or environmental concerns.
They Are Eco-Friendly
Also called man-made diamonds, lab-made diamonds have a significantly lower impact on the natural environment compared to mined diamonds. For every one carat of diamond mined, nearly 6,000 pounds of mineral waste is created and almost 100 square feet of land is disturbed. Mined diamonds also often result in worker injuries and human rights issues.
With ethically sourced natural diamonds like the kind sold by John Atencio, this isn’t the case. That said, there’s no doubt that lab-created synthetic diamonds are more environmentally friendly compared to naturally formed diamonds that must be extracted from the earth’s soil.
They Cost Less
Because they are less rare and easier to make, lab diamonds typically cost about 30% less than natural mined diamonds of comparable quality and size. This makes synthetic diamonds especially appealing to consumers who are shopping for beautiful, high-quality jewelry on a limited budget.
What Are the Cons?
While the money-saving and ethical advantages of lab-grown diamonds are significant, they don’t necessarily appeal to everyone.
Forged by the power of nature, natural mined diamonds are millions of years old. Some couples love the tradition and history behind mined diamonds. They also prefer the notion that every single stone is truly one of a kind.
While they are chemically and structurally identical to mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds don’t carry the same compelling history. Produced in the sterile environment over only a few weeks, lab diamonds don’t always seem like the more romantic option when compared to traditionally mined diamonds.
Listen to our podcast episode on Lab Grown Diamonds.
Which Should You Choose?
When it comes to choosing a diamond for your jewelry, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. In the end, the decision comes down to what's important to you as a consumer. You may prefer a mined diamond because you feel they hold a special value and certain significance as one of nature's rarest miracles. Or you may want lab-created man-made diamonds because you care about the environment, are on a tight budget and appreciate the amazing progression of technology.
How to Shop Responsibly
Not every jeweler maintains John Atencio’s unyielding integrity and adherence to the strictest social and ethical standards, which include complying with the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), a worldwide effort designed to stop the global trade of "conflict diamonds" used to finance war, human trafficking and other harmful activities. If you’re planning to buy a mined diamond, you’d be well-advised to make sure the jeweler has the same standards as John Atencio.
At the same time, choosing a lab-grown diamond will completely eliminate any concerns over the human toll and environmental impact of mining diamonds. Simply put, a John Atencio lab-made diamond is the current standard for ethics and responsible environmental stewardship in the modern diamond trade.
If you're searching for an eco- and budget-friendly alternative to mined diamonds, John Atencio is the only name you need to know. Explore our man-made synthetic diamonds or make an appointment at one of our many locations, where our knowledgeable team can help you choose the right diamond for your beautiful jewelry piece.
