Lab grown diamond rings are certainly becoming more popular, especially for engagement rings. At Scott’s Custom Jewelers, we’ve been selling lab diamonds for over 8 years now. We asked our customers why they chose lab over mined diamonds and the answers ranged. But they all agreed that their lab grown diamond engagement rings were perfect for them!
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Sustainable?
Yes, and it’s probably the most common reason our customers are choosing lab grown diamonds over mined diamonds.
For a little background, lab grown, or man made diamonds, are grown in laboratories using processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop. Therefore, they are identical to mined diamonds, chemically, optically, and physically, which is why the Federal Trade Commission has said a diamond is a diamond whether it’s grown in a lab or dug out of a mine.
In fact, the FTC no longer defines a diamond by using the term ‘natural’ because it is now possible to create lab diamonds that are exactly the same as mined diamonds. It’s essentially pure carbon crystalized in the isometric cubic system.
Lab grown diamonds also have big advantages on their environmental impact, such as less CO2 emissions and no soil being dug up in enormous amounts. The labs that we use also have invested in solar energy to power their equipment, so their carbon footprint is even smaller! So yes, sustainable engagement rings ARE possible!
Conflict Free Diamonds: The Importance to Our Customers
Up until a year ago, all lab grown diamonds were considered conflict free. But unfortunately, Russia, who has 1/3 of the worlds’ mined diamonds, got into the lab game to help fund their conflicts.
The United States has placed sanctions on Russia for importing mined diamonds, but Russia has gotten around these sanctions by shipping their uncut stones to other countries. Hopefully, this ‘work-around’ will be stopped soon.
Scott’s is very diligent when it comes to sourcing all of the diamonds that we sell. As a 4th generation jeweler, we have curated a list of suppliers for all of our gold, gemstones, and diamonds. Being conflict-free is the number one question we ask before placing an order.
Lab Grown Diamonds Price: A Huge Factor
After sustainability, price is probably the main reason our customers are choosing lab grown diamonds over mined diamonds, and who can blame them! Lab diamonds generally cost 70-90% less. That. Is. Huge!
With all of the added expenses that today’s young people are faced with (student loans!), being able to chose an affordable engagement ring is a welcomed relief.
In fact, most of our customers are able to choose a bigger, better quality, trendy engagement ring style AND stay under their budget. Which brings us to the next point…
More Budget for Fun and Custom Engagement Rings
With these savings, our customers are opting for personalized details in their custom engagement rings.
Designing that special ring is truly exciting, especially when you can incorporate elements like hidden halos, diamond pave bands, or pops of color in the overall design. And the best part? Using small lab diamonds adds an extra layer of charm and uniqueness. It’s these details that make the process so enjoyable!
Since we use CAD (computer aided design) and 3D printers, our customers are part of the design process, and the possibilities are endless!
Engagement Ring Insurance: Lab Diamonds Cost Less
Many people don’t think about this, but insuring their lab diamond engagement ring will cost them less than a mined diamond ring.
Actually, because insurance is kind of pricey, many people simply DON’T cover their engagement and wedding rings against loss, and then they regret it.
We’ve found that our customers can generally insure their custom lab grown diamond solitaire ring for about $50 a year, compared to over $250 a year for a comparable mined ring. That’s a lot of savings!
Affordable, Sustainable, and Conflict Free: Lab Grown Diamond Rings are Here to Stay
Discover the brilliant, affordable, and sustainable options that lab grown diamond rings offer! After you pick out the gem that “winks at you,” as Grandpa used to say, we’ll help you craft the perfect custom engagement ring to capture your love perfectly!
