Lab Grown vs. Mined Diamonds

The diamond mining industry is known to be a lucrative and destructive business. Openly unregulated, it is common for unethical labour practices and environmental damage to occur. As our society grows more aware of the impact of the mining industry, more and more couples are looking for ethical alternatives. Fully traceable, socially responsible and mining-free, lab grown diamonds are the perfect option for the environmentally-conscious couple!

Cullen Jewellery Engagement and Wedding Rings on hand

Appearance

Our lab grown diamonds are the equivalent of their mined counterparts in every aspect - minus the mining! With the same physical, chemical, optical and thermal characteristics as mined diamonds, it is near impossible to tell the difference between the two. Lab created diamonds display the same fire, brilliance and scintillation as mined diamonds and will not be visually different in any way. It is only with specialised testing equipment that experts are able to distinguish the trace elements that differentiate the two.

Durability

Made of pure carbon, lab grown diamonds are grown from the exact same material as mined diamonds. Using innovative cutting-edge technology, laboratories are able to mimic the conditions found in the earth’s mantle where mined diamonds are formed. Placed under extreme pressure and heat, skilled technicians are able to grow additional layers upon a diamond seed - resulting in a beautiful, sparkling diamond! Lab grown diamonds are rated a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making these gemstones the hardest substance known to man. With such durability, a lab grown diamond can easily endure the everyday wear of an engagement ring and is guaranteed to maintain its sparkle for a lifetime.

Conflict-Free

Since lab grown diamonds are grown in controlled laboratories, they do not require mining. This means lab grown diamonds do not have the same environmental and social impact as their mined counterparts. Without the need for mining, this removes the possibility of deforestation, child labour, unsafe working practices and the displacement of local communities. With lab grown diamonds, you are making an ethical, eco-friendly choice. You will never have to wonder if a child has had to suffer to obtain your sparkling stone.

Price

Compared to a mined diamond of the same size and quality, a lab grown diamond is far more affordable. Lab grown diamonds do not come with the huge markup that is automatically applied to mined diamonds, offering you tremendous value for your money. The diamond industry is known to take advantage of consumers, and history shows how deceptive ads have been used to convince people that the bigger the diamond, the greater the love. This sentiment lingers in today’s society and mined diamonds continue to be marked up at least 100% or more. Thankfully, lab grown diamonds do not come with a ridiculous markup. When you purchase a lab grown diamond, you pay for the lab creation process and that’s all.