LAB GROWN DIAMONDS ( and Gemstones )
The subject of lab diamonds and gemstones is a very hot subject in the industry these days. In general, I am not against them, in fact I quite like them (in specific cases). But I really must stress that the consumer must know what they are buying. In the past, lab grown diamonds were not specified as such on diamond certificates. This caused a lot of aggravation, confusion, and mistrust within the industry.
In recent years, there have been significant technological improvements in the manufacturing of lab diamonds. There have also been significant improvements in the certification and grading of lab grown diamonds. Gemological laboratories such as GIA and IGI now offer certification of lab diamonds that clearly indicate their origin (earth mined/natural vs lab), and even go as far as creating certificates that are visibly different and easily distinguishable to their earth mined counterparts.
Lab diamonds and gemstones allow you to get the jewellery that you’ve always dreamed about but without sacrificing quality or size. But like their earth-mined cousins, you need to know what you’re buying. Not all lab stones are created equal and unfortunately there a lot of sellers out there who are cutting corners and misleading consumers. As always, it’s important to work with a jeweller that you trust, and that will take the time to explain the pros and cons of each option.
In the end, the consumer needs to decide what they want and what works best within their budget.