Lab grown diamonds are growing in popularity. The benefits of the technology are many, but there are some ethical and scientific issues that need to be considered. The cost of the product is also a concern. The price per carat is a factor. The chemical properties of the diamonds are also important to discuss.
Cost
There are several reasons to purchase lab grown diamonds. Aside from the fact that they are a sustainable and environmentally friendly option, they are also a lot cheaper than natural diamonds.
Traditionally, the cost of a one carat lab grown diamonds nz was approximately $4000 in 2008. With the advent of new technologies, the price of these gems has plummeted to about $300 to $500 per carat. This makes lab grown diamonds a viable option for those on a tight budget.
However, a lot of lab grown diamonds are cut to mediocre standards. Some are color treated, and others are decolored. For a true test of a lab grown diamond’s quality, you need specialized equipment.
Unlike natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are a visual match. They are the same as mined diamonds, except they are chemically bonded to a solid substrate in a controlled laboratory environment.
As a result, the lab grown diamond has a smaller carbon footprint, and is cheaper to produce. For example, the energy required to produce a lab grown diamond is much lower than that of a mined diamond. In addition, the cost of a one carat man-made diamond is about half that of a mined stone.
Chemical properties
For a long time, scientists were trying to reproduce the formation conditions of natural diamonds in laboratories. They found that they could grow diamond films on various materials with extreme heat and pressure. These films can be used as window panels in optical devices and for cutting tools. Those films can be colored by chemical elements.
Laboratory grown diamonds are produced under controlled conditions and are as hard as mined diamonds. They have the same chemical makeup and optical properties as natural diamonds. They are not only hard, but also durable.
The first lab grown diamonds were created in the 1950s. GE’s Schenectady, New York, laboratory subjected graphite to high pressure and temperatures. They discovered that the crystals formed had a cubic (isometric) crystal structure.
In the 1980s, Japanese researchers developed commercially viable diamond synthesizing methods. Diamonds produced by these methods are often rated at higher purity levels. They are also more colorless than diamonds made by the earlier techniques.
Price per carat
If you are looking to buy a lab grown diamond in New Zealand, you may be wondering where to find the best prices. The good news is that you don’t have to pay a fortune for a quality piece.
You may also be surprised to learn that they actually cost less than mined diamonds. In fact, a 1ct lab grown diamond is about 70% cheaper than its natural counterpart.
While there are many advantages to buying a lab grown diamond, it’s important to be aware of the drawbacks. For example, they aren’t as valuable as mined diamonds and aren’t as likely to hold their value over time. They are also not as visually stunning as mined gems.
For instance, you cannot resize a lab grown diamond. You can, however, resize a natural diamond.
Lastly, lab grown diamonds have less of a carbon footprint than mined diamonds. Generally, a factory that produces one carat of lab grown diamonds uses about 750 kWh of electricity.
Ethical issues
Despite lab grown diamonds’ growing popularity, there are still ethical issues to consider. Consumers are becoming more concerned about the origins of their diamond jewellery and want to purchase something that is eco-friendly.
The Kimberley Process, which aims to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the jewellery market, does not fully cover the supply chain. Some mines in the DRC, Liberia and Sierra Leone fund war and violence. And a recent study by Global Witness found that up to four million people die each year from mining.
In addition to the environmental impacts of mining, there are also health and social issues posed by the diamond industry. There are many cases of child labour and human trafficking in diamond mines. Some companies even use unsafe practices.
Conclusion
One major supplier of lab grown diamonds is Michael Hill. The company claims its Latitude brand rocks are grown in the U.S. and are therefore fully traceable. The company has a strong ethical responsibility to its customers.
