With the advent of lab-made diamonds that widened the already dazzling range of natural stones, customers have long had more options to choose from. However, this also means that any customers who lack the right kind of knowledge would normally be of two minds when trying to choose between the two.

How Lab-Made and Natural Diamonds Differ

Natural and artificial diamonds can look similar, but there are major differences in growth structure, rarity, and especially, inherent value. Diamonds are formed under extreme conditions around a hundred miles underneath the surface of the earth. This makes each natural diamond unique; no two are ever completely alike.

Diamonds made in laboratory conditions, which replicate those conditions in which diamonds form naturally, come to the market even more quickly. This is why lab-made diamonds are more common than natural ones which were formed over billions of years.

How Can a Layman Tell Apart Natural from Lab-Made Diamonds

Among the more detectable distinctions, artificial stones have growth structures and internal imperfections that are different from those of the natural ones. The flaws in a natural diamond often have perfectly preserved elements of significant scientific value. In contrast, the diamond manufacturing process may leave marks as well as color variations within the stone. Using testing instruments, one can notice the differences between synthetic and natural diamonds, and these are commercially available as well.

Is “Mined Diamond” the Same as “Natural Diamonds”?

The term “mined diamond” is used by manufacturers to associate a naturally formed stone with the mining industry. However, it does not necessarily hold that “natural” and “mined” diamonds mean the same thing. There can be differences between the two types. Firstly, ‘natural’ part in diamonds conveys that a stone was formed in nature, and that it probably still exists in that form, whether mined or not.

The mining process is different from the lab-creation process, so “natural” is the right way to refer to these diamonds. There are methods to extract diamonds that do not include mining, as many diamonds get pushed to the surface of the earth over time.

What Does the Industry Do to Deal with the Environmental Impacts of Mining?

Some diamond producers have also spearheaded an array of innovative initiatives that are aimed at sustainability. In fact, these are trailblazers in helping protect the natural resources of our planet, which are important to the areas where they operate. Through their own initiatives and funding of conservation organizations, these companies have give 258 million dollars towards environmental benefits annually, protecting thousands of square miles of land through this effort.

Besides, diamonds could also play a role in mitigating carbon emission impact. There is a type of kimberlite that captures carbon gases. Initiatives to accelerate the capture of those from the atmosphere are being introduced, with the aim to produce switch to ongoing carbon-neutral outputs.

Choosing between Natural and Artificial Diamonds

First and foremost, customers should ensure that they know whether they are purchasing a synthetic or a natural diamond. What applies to loose cut diamonds should also apply to those placed in a jewelry setting. If you are not comfortably in the know, then ask as many questions as possible about the product.

There are manufacturers that sell synthetic diamonds at just about the same price as natural loose cut diamonds, without adequately revealing that these were made in a laboratory setting. However, artificial diamonds cost way less than their natural counterparts due to more reasons than one. Most important of these is the fact that they are more in supply. When a natural stone is not cut or polished, but sold in rough form, it cost much the same as a lab-made diamond.

Secondly, people need to develop a relationship with one of the jewelers they trust. Diamonds are miracles from nature, so when you are thinking about buying a loose diamond as a form of investment, it is best to consider the natural stone for that. That is because it is rare, so when you put your diamond up for an auction or offer it to a third party after a while to get what you have invested in, you will receive more diamond seekers, and when that happens, you get paid more. Some of the colored diamonds are only found in a few places and are in vogue thanks to celebrities who use them as a form of jewelry, so their rarity is more.

Thirdly, remember that choosing the perfect jewel is always a highly personal choice. What appeals to you may not necessarily appeal to a different person. So there is no such thing as the best diamond in the world. It is all about finding the one that looks best to you and appeals to your sentiments. For years, customers with a traditional taste have been choosing a round cut loose diamond.