Lab-created diamonds have gained traction in recent years due to their environmental and ethical advantages.
This shift towards what is usually known as synthetic diamonds has been further pushed forward by millennials who are keenly aware of their impact on the planet. As a result, are looking for more sustainable alternatives to traditional diamond sources.
In this article, we will explore some reasons why millennials are choosing lab-grown engagement rings over natural ones and how this shift could shape the industry in the years to come.
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Who Are Millennials?
Millennials, also known as Generation Y, were born between 1981 and 1996. They are tech-savvy, socially conscious, and open to new ideas.
Millennials are often open to change, and career-minded, and they value experiences over material possessions. They are fast learners and have an enormous desire to make a positive impact on the world and that is why they prefer lab made diamonds.
Clean Origin, in particular, is a top diamond and jewelry manufacturer that has been a strong believer in ethical diamonds and a frontier in the lab grown diamond market.
They have embraced this new industry and have worked hard to provide top-notch diamonds for their customers.
Like other well-known diamond experts, they are committed to providing ethically-sourced diamonds created in a lab.
Millennials are often considered trendsetters and ahead of the curve in terms of cultural changes. While this may be true for many areas, the adoption of lab-grown diamonds by millennials is particularly notable.
Millennials have been raised in an era of digital media, and they have often been labeled as the “me generation” because of their desire to have a voice and be heard.
Regardless of this reputation, Millennials still have a lot to offer the world due to their optimism and willingness to take risks to make a difference.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab created diamonds are diamonds that are grown in a laboratory setting instead of being mined from natural sources.
These diamonds differ only in their origin and are physically, optically, and chemically identical to mined diamonds. They are created using advanced technology to replicate the natural diamond-growing process.
In essence, scientists subject a tiny diamond ‘seed’ to extreme temperatures and pressures until it grows into a larger diamond crystal. They are then cut and polished just as mined diamonds are.
Lab grown diamonds are typically more affordable than mined diamonds and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They have become increasingly popular due to their ethical production and environmental sustainability.
Their diamonds are just as brilliant and beautiful as natural diamonds, so customers can shop for diamonds without worrying about the environmental and labor-related impacts of the traditional diamond industry.
What are Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are diamonds that are found naturally in nature and have not been altered or treated in any way.
Natural diamonds are usually colorless, but there are also yellow, brown, and other colored diamonds. They can be cut into round, pear, heart, marquise, radiant, and other shapes.
Natural diamonds are usually very hard and durable, making them an ideal choice for jewelry and other decorations.
How Are Natural Diamonds Made?
Natural diamonds are created over the course of billions of years, deep within the Earth’s mantle. They are created from carbon atoms that are arranged in a lattice structure.
Natural diamonds are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions and then mined from kimberlite and lamproite pipes, as well as alluvial deposits.
What Are the Two Ways Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made?
Lab-grown diamonds are created in two distinct ways: by using a process called High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), or by using a method known as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
In the HPHT process, a diamond seed is placed in a growth chamber and heated to extreme temperatures, while pressure is applied to the seed. This is done in order to imitate how natural diamonds are formed deep inside the earth. This process causes the carbon atoms to form a diamond crystal lattice structure.
In the CVD process, a diamond seed is placed in a chamber with a vapor of carbon-rich gas, which is then broken down by a plasma arc. As the carbon atoms attached to the diamond seed, a crystal lattice structure begins to form, resulting in the creation of a lab-grown diamond.
Reasons Lab-Grown Diamond Rings Are Now Preferred Among Millenials
1. Economic reasons
The cost of natural diamonds has been increasing at an alarming rate in recent years, while the cost of lab grown diamond earrings has remained relatively stable. This is one of the main reasons why millennials are choosing to purchase lab created engagement ring diamonds instead of natural ones.
The cost of lab grown diamonds is significantly lower than that of diamonds sourced naturally, making them an attractive option for millennials.
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as “cultured diamonds,” are created in a controlled laboratory environment, under precise conditions, and with advanced technologies.
These diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to their natural counterparts. However, due to their lower cost, they are an appealing option for those who want to purchase a diamond that is of equal quality, but much more budget-friendly.
For example, a one-carat natural diamond can cost upwards of $2,000, while a lab-grown diamond of the same carat size can be acquired for less than half the price.
This is because the process of creating lab-grown diamonds is much more efficient and cost-effective than mining natural diamonds.
Additionally, lab-grown diamonds are not subject to the same market fluctuations as natural diamonds, so their prices remain relatively stable. This makes them a more affordable option for millennials who are looking for an engagement ring or other diamond jewelry.
Overall, the cost savings of lab-grown diamonds, coupled with their ethical and sustainable sourcing, make them an attractive option for millennials looking for a beautiful and unique diamond.
The fact that they are of the same quality as natural diamonds, yet significantly cheaper, is one of the main drivers of their popularity among this generation.
2. Ethical Reasons
Millennials are increasingly turning to lab grown diamonds instead of natural ones for a variety of reasons, but one of the most prominent is the social stigma associated with natural diamonds.
Millennials are increasingly concerned with the ethical implications of their purchases, and lab-grown diamonds offer a more ethical alternative to natural diamonds.
Natural diamonds are often mined in conflict zones, where workers are subject to dangerous working conditions and exploitation. Natural diamonds have long been associated with “blood diamonds,” which are diamonds that are mined and sold to fund conflict and violence.
Lab grown diamonds, however, are much more ethically sound than mined diamonds. They do not carry the same negative connotations, making them the perfect choice for millennial consumers who want to purchase diamonds without worrying about the ethical implications.
3. Environmental reasons
The millennial generation is the first to come of age in the era of climate change, and they are acutely aware of the environmental devastation wrought by the diamond industry.
Millennials are increasingly turning to lab grown diamonds as an alternative to natural diamonds. This shift is largely due to the fact that natural diamonds are mined from the earth. As a result, this can have devastating consequences for local ecosystems.
Mining operations can cause destruction to the environment, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.
Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are created in a lab and are free from the negative environmental impacts of mining.
For millennials who care about sustainability, lab-grown diamonds are a much more attractive option than natural ones.
4. Sustainability
Sustainability is an important concept in today’s world. It involves taking steps to ensure that the resources and environments that we rely upon today can be enjoyed by future generations.
This can include everything from reducing energy consumption to buying locally-produced goods and services to creating lab-grown diamonds in more sustainable ways.
One way to promote sustainability is to adopt a more circular economy. This means moving away from a linear production model, where resources are taken from the environment, used to create products, and then discarded.
Instead, a circular economy seeks to ensure that resources are reused and recycled as much as possible. To this end, businesses can focus on making durable products that can be easily repaired, while consumers can be encouraged to buy used items and trade in their old products when they upgrade.
In summary, sustainability involves taking steps to ensure that future generations can enjoy the resources and environments that we rely upon today.
Lab-grown diamonds are also more sustainable than natural diamonds. The process of creating lab-grown diamonds does not involve any mining or extraction of resources from the earth, so it has a much lower environmental impact than mining natural diamonds.
Additionally, lab-grown diamonds can be recycled and reused, making them a more sustainable option for millennials who want to reduce their environmental footprint.
Millennials are increasingly choosing lab-grown diamonds over natural ones because they are more sustainable. Lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory setting and possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as diamonds found in nature.
Growing diamonds may take a while, but it’s all worth it in the end! It typically takes 6-10 weeks for a diamond to grow, but this process ensures that diamonds are more readily available for us to enjoy. It is an amazing process that results in an even more amazing product.
With the use of modern technology and innovative techniques, the availability of diamonds has become much easier. We can appreciate the natural beauty of diamonds without having to wait months or even years to find the perfect one.
5. Greater Variety
Lab grown diamonds also offer a greater variety of shapes, sizes, and colors than natural diamonds. This is because the process of creating lab-grown diamonds is much more flexible than mining natural diamonds.
As a result, it is easier to create different shapes and sizes of lab grown engagement rings. They have an array of creative cuts and shapes, such as hearts and stars, which are not available in diamonds sourced from the earth. This can be appealing to those looking for something special and unique.
In addition, lab-grown diamonds can be created in a variety of colors, such as pink, blue, and yellow, which are not available in natural diamonds. This makes them a more attractive option for those looking for something unique and special.
For instance, lab grown diamonds come in a variety of colors, from bright yellows to vivid pinks and blues, that are not available in natural diamonds.
6. Purity and Clarity
Lab-grown diamonds possess a purity and clarity that surpasses their natural counterparts. In addition, the superior color of lab grown diamonds is unrivaled, guaranteeing satisfaction for any purchaser.
The cutting and polishing process of lab grown diamonds is more consistent and precise than that of natural diamonds, leading to more intricate and beautiful designs.
The increasing availability of lab diamonds gives millennials a greater variety of options when choosing the perfect diamond. With the enhanced cutting process, any desired shape is achievable.
Furthermore, modern technology enables the selection of any color or clarity desired. The consistency in size and shape of lab grown diamonds is also beneficial; this makes matching stones a much simpler process.
Lab grown diamonds are also of a higher quality than natural diamonds. This is because the process of creating lab-grown diamonds is much more controlled and precise than mining natural diamonds.
As a result, lab grown diamonds tend to have fewer flaws and inclusions than natural diamonds, making them a better choice for those looking for a high-quality diamond.
7. Durability
Lab-grown diamonds are also more durable than natural diamonds due to the precise and controlled process of creating them. The process of laboratory fabrication is much more exact than the process of mining for natural diamonds, thus resulting in a diamond that is considerably stronger, and much less likely to chip or break than its natural counterpart. This makes them a better choice for those looking for a diamond that will last a lifetime.
Conclusion
Lab grown diamonds offer a great alternative to traditional natural diamonds for millennials. They are much more affordable and ethical than natural ones, allowing consumers to get the same quality without breaking the bank or compromising their moral standards.
In addition, lab grown diamonds come in unique shapes and sizes that cannot be found with natural stones making them a popular choice among young people who want something special and different.
We hope this article has helped you understand why lab-grown diamonds are becoming an increasingly popular trend among millennials!