In general, most people love diamonds, but are deterred by the cost of owning them. The once popular synthetic cubic zirconia (CZ), an inexpensive option, is heavy and lacks the brilliance that makes diamonds so desirable. In large sizes, CZs don't even look real to the naked eye. How, then, can one purchase the fire and sparkle at a reasonable price? Lab-created gems have come of age. They are no longer poor substitutes for the real thing - they are the real thing. In fact, they go one step farther -- these stones are flawless.
Lab produced stones, often called "cultured" diamonds, are the same carbon crystals that can be found in diamond mines. They have identical chemical, optical and physical properties to stones that occurred naturally, and this results in them having the same brilliance, sparkle, fire and scintillation. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades cultured gems by the same standards it uses for the mined ones. In fact, the GIA acknowledges that these ARE genuine diamonds. The only difference is the rating will describe the stones as "laboratory grown."
In nature, certain impurities will result in colored diamonds - nitrogen will create yellow, boron will create blue, and so forth. Because high quality colored stones are rare in nature, they are usually very expensive. In addition to being flawless, lab-created diamonds can easily be colored. The costs for these highly coveted colored stones is pretty comparable to the cost for colorless stones.
Similar to their natural counterparts, cultured diamonds can be purchased either loose, or already in jewelry settings. Most jewelry and department stores don't carry them, however. These stones have only just been introduced to the market, and still comprise only a small portion of the total diamond inventory out there.
Here are some differences to be aware of regarding man-made diamonds: 1. Most are 1-2 carats in weight. Larger stones are made, but are the exception, rather than the rule. 2. The majority of man-made stones are colored, rather than colorless - precisely the opposite of natural stones. 3. While experts can detect that these gems are man-made, special equipment is required to be sure. This equipment is very expensive. 4. It is far easier to find "matched pairs" of identical man-made stones for use in jewelry than it is when one is using natural gems.
If you are concerned that someone may try to pass off a created diamond you are interested in purchasing as "the real thing," rest assured that this scenario is not all that likely. Firstly, lab-grown diamond producers are very proud of the gems they are able to create. Secondly, cultured diamonds are absolutely genuine, not "cheap" imitations. Thirdly, the difference between natural and cultured is detectable. Finally, jewelers have every incentive to preserve the integrity of the natural diamond market. Thus, a jeweler will readily help you identify the stone in question.
Basically, opting for lab-grown diamonds will allow you to purchase more for less. However, this isn't a "champagne on a beer budget" scenario. You can expect to pay about one third less for cultured stones than for natural stones. Lab-produced stones can be easily found via the internet, and these sites proudly advertise that their offerings are "synthetics." But, similar to other online purchases, you'll want to investigate the vendor carefully prior to making your purchase. - 29039
Lab produced stones, often called "cultured" diamonds, are the same carbon crystals that can be found in diamond mines. They have identical chemical, optical and physical properties to stones that occurred naturally, and this results in them having the same brilliance, sparkle, fire and scintillation. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades cultured gems by the same standards it uses for the mined ones. In fact, the GIA acknowledges that these ARE genuine diamonds. The only difference is the rating will describe the stones as "laboratory grown."
In nature, certain impurities will result in colored diamonds - nitrogen will create yellow, boron will create blue, and so forth. Because high quality colored stones are rare in nature, they are usually very expensive. In addition to being flawless, lab-created diamonds can easily be colored. The costs for these highly coveted colored stones is pretty comparable to the cost for colorless stones.
Similar to their natural counterparts, cultured diamonds can be purchased either loose, or already in jewelry settings. Most jewelry and department stores don't carry them, however. These stones have only just been introduced to the market, and still comprise only a small portion of the total diamond inventory out there.
Here are some differences to be aware of regarding man-made diamonds: 1. Most are 1-2 carats in weight. Larger stones are made, but are the exception, rather than the rule. 2. The majority of man-made stones are colored, rather than colorless - precisely the opposite of natural stones. 3. While experts can detect that these gems are man-made, special equipment is required to be sure. This equipment is very expensive. 4. It is far easier to find "matched pairs" of identical man-made stones for use in jewelry than it is when one is using natural gems.
If you are concerned that someone may try to pass off a created diamond you are interested in purchasing as "the real thing," rest assured that this scenario is not all that likely. Firstly, lab-grown diamond producers are very proud of the gems they are able to create. Secondly, cultured diamonds are absolutely genuine, not "cheap" imitations. Thirdly, the difference between natural and cultured is detectable. Finally, jewelers have every incentive to preserve the integrity of the natural diamond market. Thus, a jeweler will readily help you identify the stone in question.
Basically, opting for lab-grown diamonds will allow you to purchase more for less. However, this isn't a "champagne on a beer budget" scenario. You can expect to pay about one third less for cultured stones than for natural stones. Lab-produced stones can be easily found via the internet, and these sites proudly advertise that their offerings are "synthetics." But, similar to other online purchases, you'll want to investigate the vendor carefully prior to making your purchase. - 29039
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