4 Reasons To Choose Lab Grown Diamond Rings

The diamond became the symbol of love, and a ubiquitous stone for engagement and wedding rings, thanks to a marketing campaign by De Beers in 1947. Prior to this campaign, other precious gemstones like ruby, emerald, and garnet were also frequently seen in betrothal rings. The diamond company planted the idea that proposing with a white diamond is the ultimate romantic gesture using the slogan “A diamond is forever.” 

In 2023, consumers are questioning two aspects of the diamond gifting tradition. First, educated ring shoppers are pushing against the idea that natural gems are the only option. Second, they are showing more and more preference for coloured stones. Consider Orlando Bloom’s chosen engagement ring for Katy Perry, a red ruby surrounded by a halo of diamonds in yellow gold.

Firstly, lab grown gemstone rings are more cost-effective. Why are lab grown gemstones more affordable than natural gemstones? The answer boils down to their difference in supply. Mined gemstones require up to millions of years to grow in specific conditions of harsh pressures and temperatures. Inevitably, there will come a time when humans are still around, but the globe’s mines have been emptied out.

In contrast, lab grown gems can be grown on demand. Depending on the method of cultivating a lab gem, all that’s required is a sliver of stone called a seed crystal (which can be natural or lab grown, since they’re chemically identical). While laboratory environments accurately recreate the deep Earth conditions necessary for gems to form, this process requires a tiny fraction of the energy and time used by natural stones. Furthermore, lab diamond and gemstone technology keep improving, so the scale at which they’re grown is likely to rise. For this reason, as long as there are enough precious stones to dig up from the ground, man-made gemstones will be priced lower because they’re more readily available.

Secondly, lab created diamond rings and gemstone rings look the same as ones that are naturally grown. The point has been made many times over: cultivated gemstones appear and test no differently than natural gemstones. They are grown using the same chemical elements, and it requires specialised tools to differentiate the two.

In fact, there are some appearance advantages depending on the gem type you’re talking about. Engineered gemstones tend to have fewer imperfections because there are fewer to zero chances of surrounding materials and air bubbles being trapped inside the stone, which can happen in natural world conditions. These ‘inclusions’ usually read as cloudiness or what can look like scratches on the surface or inside a gem. Therefore, lab grown stones can have better clarity, fire, and sparkle than their mined counterparts without heating or oiling treatments.

Different gem species have certain inclusions associated with them, which arise due to their specific growth environment. Blue sapphires, for example, often contain mineral needle inclusions. BIRON® blue sapphires are more eye-clean because they grow in a well-controlled way.

Thirdly, lab cultivated diamonds and coloured gems are better for the earth and have less impact on humans and animals. Irresponsible gem mining has a host of labour conflicts and environmental issues associated with it, the most detrimental being water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and danger to animal habitats surrounding mining sites.

It’s important to note that cultivated gems can also have an environmental footprint. Within the lab grown diamond industry itself, it’s still prudent to look for a supplier that is transparent about their energy sources and has a sustainable supply chain. For example, a lab grown gem provider that uses renewable energy to power their machinery is better than one that uses fossil fuels.

On the whole, man-made gems are the more environmentally responsible choice and can help ethical jewellery companies to be more carbon-neutral.

Lastly, and of utmost importance specifically when it comes to engagement rings, lab created stones are fully customisable. With a lab grown ring, you have the liberty to choose gemstone species, hue, and carat size from scratch to craft your desired jewellery – and at a more accessible price point than sourcing natural gemstone roughs with particular specifications. Want a fancy pink diamond? An ethical Colombian green emerald? Different gem growing techniques produce roughs of varied sizes and clarities. Truly, you have the ability to be much more creative with lab grown stones without paying exorbitant prices.

Besides growing stones, certain lab grown stone providers can also help with cutting and setting the precious stones into jewellery, so the wedding or engagement ring of your dreams can become a reality that will last for generations.

To learn more about how we can help you create the lab grown ring from your fantasies, get in touch with us for a free consultation. We supply rough and cut coloured gemstones of the highest quality. For instance, our proprietary BIRON® Process creates lab emeralds that rival the best Colombian emeralds on the market.