Diamonds are known for their incomparable beauty and significance in representing romantic relationships. They have long been celebrated as exclusive and luxurious and are highly sought after in almost every culture and country. In recent years, jewelers have noticed a trend that more and more people are looking for man-made diamonds as opposed to natural diamonds that form below the earth's surface.
Artificial diamonds
Artificial diamonds are also called synthetic diamonds. Although they are chemically the same as natural diamonds, they are "grown" in a laboratory under the supervision of scientists. The most common way these diamonds are formed is for scientists to put carbon under high pressure and high temperature to form a diamond. Other researchers use chemical vapor deposition, which starts with a small "seed" of diamond and then grows layer by layer.
Without a trained eye, most people cannot tell the difference between a natural and a synthetic diamond, as both contain the same crystal lattice structure. Because of how inclusions occur in natural diamonds, it is easier to find synthetic diamond alternatives with higher clarity than their counterparts. However, both types can have different diamond grades across all four Cs of diamond quality: color, cut, clarity and carat. However, in general, man-made diamonds are cheaper than natural hand-crafted diamonds because they are easier to replicate and cheaper to manufacture. But because they are considered synthetic in nature, they are often considered less valuable, less exclusive, and less unique.
Perhaps the most striking difference is that natural diamonds are millions or billions of years old, making them special in a way that man-made diamonds are not. Synthetic diamonds cannot hold a candle to naturally formed diamonds in their rarity, extraordinary origin and value.
Natural diamonds
Known as one of the most sought-after gemstones, natural diamonds are rare and expensive for good reason. Not only are they beautiful, each with their own unique look, but they are also billions of years old, meaning they are rare, significant and highly valued in all areas.
Along with their beauty and importance in our world, natural diamonds have a great tradition. Handcrafted diamond jewelry is often passed down from generation to generation, and parents and grandparents eagerly anticipate younger family members receiving diamond jewelry from fiancés and spouses. These traditions are often associated with special, rare natural diamonds that have formed in nature under very precise and unique circumstances.
There is something about buying and owning a natural diamond that tugs at people's heartstrings and makes them feel like they are part of something special. This age-old tradition of gifting natural diamonds is unmatched in meaning and importance across cultures.
Which is the best?
Most jewelers believe that both man-made diamonds and natural diamonds from the earth have their place in the jewelry industry, but many still tend to change their preferences and what they think is the best one way or the other. As for you, you may love the lower price of a synthetic diamond, but you also love the uniqueness of a natural diamond, making it a tough decision when it comes time to buy your next piece of jewelry.
That said, here are a few points supporting each option to help you decide.
Why choose artificial diamonds?
The availability of artificial diamonds has increased due to their demand. Younger generations have a lot of purchasing power in today's jewelry market, so jewelers have adapted by offering more synthetic diamonds.
Cost is another advantage of buying a lab-created diamond. A 1-carat synthetic diamond can cost up to 95% less than a natural diamond of the same size. In addition, lab-created diamonds are produced more quickly and can have an essentially infinite supply. This means that they are not as rare or unique, but they are less expensive to replicate, which lowers costs.
One thing to keep in mind when considering synthetic diamonds is the value and importance of the stone over time. Because of their lower cost and ease of reproducibility, synthetic diamonds may decline in value over their lifetime. Plus, they don't have that special reputation of being elite, exclusive, and extra special.
Why Choose Natural Handmade Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are undoubtedly more rare and unique than lab-grown diamonds. They have a special meaning that a scientist cannot imitate. Some people consider synthetic diamonds to be "fake" or even though they are chemically, physically and visually the same, the origin of the diamond certainly matters to some.
Even if you pay more for a natural diamond, it will retain more of its value over time. Because natural diamonds are rare and limited, they tend to hold their value longer. This means that if you ever want to sell your diamond, you should be able to do so for a decent fraction of what you paid for it.
Furthermore, you cannot replace or replicate the exclusivity and uniqueness of a naturally created diamond. It's not something you can put a price on, but it's something to seriously consider when looking for a new diamond or diamond jewelry. Imagine the tradition associated with jewelry and the timeless rarity of this magnificent gem that was created millions of years ago. Favoring something that really means something and has a piece of history in it cannot be underestimated.
Shop for diamond jewelry in NYC
Deciding to buy synthetic diamonds vs. natural diamonds can seem like a lot. Sometimes it can be very helpful to discuss the pros and cons of each with a jewelry expert, and seeing some diamonds in person can help you make your decision. While one type of diamond will not suit everyone, you can explore each option and make the best decision for you and your loved ones based on your preferences.
Roman MAL a KO v is a great jewelry store in NYC's Diamond District, staffed by jewelry experts who love to educate their clientele and help guide them through the jewelry buying process. Stop by the store to explore our diamond collection or schedule an online or in-person consultation today.
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