Etika Jewels

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But they are also notoriously expensive, wreak havoc on the environment, and are associated with the dubious mining industry. Fortunately, lab-grown diamonds have come as a sustainable and responsible choice that doesn’t come at the expense of clarity, quality, or design. It’s no surprise that more and more luxury consumers are embracing lab diamonds over their mined counterparts. If you aren’t convinced yet, here are a few reasons why conflict-free, eco-friendly lab-grown diamonds are better than mined jewels.

They are Real Diamonds, Indistinguishable from mined diamonds

Many people might not know that natural and lab-grown diamonds are practically impossible to distinguish with the naked eye. Lab-created diamonds have the same physical, optical and chemical traits as their earth-mined counterparts, and the only difference between them are their respective points of origin. Only highly trained gemologists can tell them apart with the help of high-tech, specialized equipment.  If you buy a piece of jewelry embedded with a lab-created diamond, it will have the same scintillation, flash, fire, and brilliance as a natural one, and certainly, no one will be able to notice, unless you tell them.

Lab Grown Diamonds Come with IGI certification

Lab-grown diamonds are polished and then graded using the 4 C’s (carat, color, cut and clarity) by the same independent gemological laboratories that grade earth-extracted diamonds, such as IGI. Akin to mined diamonds, the cut of a lab-grown diamond defines its brilliance, while clarity refers to the appearance and lack of cracks and defects. Lack of color makes a higher grade, while the carat measures the diamond’s size and weight. Learn more here.

They are conflict-free and ethically sourced

We all know the human, ethical and ecological conflicts as well as the hazards and unfair practices that surround the diamond mining industry. From child labor and poor wages, to peripheral bloodshed, inhumane mining conditions and work-related accidents and health risks, the humanitarian and environmental repercussions of natural diamond mining processes are becoming a huge concern for conscious consumers. On the other hand, since man-made diamonds are sustainably grown in state-of-the-art facilities operated by well-compensated employees, there is no question about their origin. Wearing lab-grown diamonds give you the peace of mind that your jewelry is ethically sourced, conflict-free (no blood diamonds here!) and not a part of the dubious diamond trade that continues to flourish to this day. You can stop worrying about the source of these diamonds and enjoy their beauty guilt-free.

They are better for the planet 

It is no secret that diamond mining has a significantly negative impact on the environment. Did you know that one carat of a mined diamond approximately removes 250 tons of earth/soil, requires 120 gallons of water and emits 140 lbs. of carbon dioxide? Diamond extraction requires the use of heavy machinery and explosives to dig deep into the earth. This in turn wreaks havoc on the habitats, pollutes the water, creates tons of mineral waste and carbon emissions, and wastes energy and water. This shows how diamond mining is environmentally damaging and fossil fuel intensive. On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments, using far less energy and water, produce much fewer waste, do not disrupt the environment, and have a negligible impact on the environment. Read about how lab-grown diamonds are the future of the diamond industry.

Better value: I can get more for the same price!

Lab-grown diamonds are a much more cost-effective choice than their mined counterpart, which has vastly contributed to their popularity.  Earth-mined diamonds come from within the Earth’s crust, necessitating an expensive extraction process and mass man power. On the other hand, man-made diamonds are created in a lab. Lack of a mining process and a subsequently much shorter supply chain allow retailers to cut down on their price tag. Even though lab grown diamonds are priced based on their 4C characteristics, similar to a mined diamond, they sell for 40-50% less than mined diamonds of comparable size and quality. This allows you to purchase a larger, higher-quality stone within your desired budget. Not to mention, Lab-grown diamonds are known to have fewer defects than mined diamonds, creating brighter and whiter diamonds. Better quality at better prices makes them a great choice for everyday jewelry, occasion jewelry and gifting jewelry.