Lab-grown diamonds offer the consumer yet another choice in the category of natural stones.
They possess the same crystal structure and molecular formula as diamond, but are formed in a controlled laboratory environment.
The challenge for the informed buyer in New Zealand is discerning value, comparing notes, and making a reasoned purchase decision based on more than just carat weight and price.
Table of Contents
Are Lab-grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds.
They are not a fake or imitation diamond such as cubic zirconia or moissanite, but are actual diamond crystals that have been formed in a laboratory.
Like natural diamond, their main difference is the formation process.
Both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds can share similar visual, chemical, and physical properties.
Therefore, just looking at a diamond is not always indicative of its origin or price.
How are Lab-grown Diamonds Made?
There are two primary methods by which lab-grown diamonds are made: HPHT and CVD.
HPHT Diamonds
HPHT stands for High Pressure High Temperature, and utilizes pressure and heat in a controlled environment to enable the crystallization of a diamond.
CVD Diamonds
CVD is Chemical Vapour Deposition and uses a chamber to create the right conditions for diamond crystal growth.
It is hard to say which process is “better” when it comes to creating laboratory-made diamonds, as it is the finished product that determines value.
Assess the 4 Cs to Get Value for Money
The 4 Cs are one of the best tools you can use to determine value.
Diamonds are measured according to their cut, color, clarity, and carat.
Cut
A diamond’s cut determines how it interacts with light, and its overall appearance.
A well-proportioned, finished diamond has a certain amount of fire, brilliance, and sparkle that a poorly-cut diamond lacks.
Color
Color refers to the color of the diamond.
While most people desire a colorless diamond, the eye is very forgiving so it is best to determine what level of color you are willing to look past in order to get the diamond you desire.
Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is based upon its internal characteristics and external blemishes.
Like color, inclusions are not always easy to see or notice so it is wise to determine what level of visibility you prefer.
Carat
Carat weight is a measure of a diamond’s weight.
It should not be confused with the physical or visual size of the diamond.
Two diamonds of the same carat size can look very different if they have different proportions.
In many cases, it is best to prioritize cut above all other factors.
Focus on the 4 Cs in the Lab-grown Diamonds You Buy in New Zealand
Check the Diamond Grading Report
A diamond grading report acts as proof of the characteristics of a particular diamond.
Depending on the grading laboratory, it provides an impartial overview of the stone’s specifications such as carat weight, color, clarity, measurements, proportions, polish, symmetry, fluorescence, whether the diamond is laboratory-grown, and any identifying features the stone may have.
Each certificate will also note the report number, and any laser inscription that may be present on the diamond itself.
IGI (International Gemological Institute) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) are renowned grading laboratories that offer grading reports on diamonds that are laboratory-grown.
It is important to remember that a grading report is not a certificate of value or appraisal.
The report reflects only the characteristics of the stone according to the grading laboratory, and not its value either present or future.
Where a grading report can help when shopping for laboratory-grown diamonds is verifying that the features listed on the report are the same as the features of the diamond in question.
Where a report number, laser inscription, or other identifying features are present, this can facilitate a comparison between the report and the diamond.
Diamond Shapes Have an Impact on Visual Appearance
A diamond’s shape has a big impact on its overall appearance.
The shape influences the width, length, spread of the diamond, and how it catches the light.
The most popular shape of all is round brilliant, as it highlights a diamond’s fire and brilliance.
Oval diamonds offer a different look and have a more stretched out appearance.
Emerald-cut diamonds have a distinctive stepped pattern on their pavilion, and tend to accentuate any internal characteristics a diamond may have.
Similarly, cushion, pear, radiant, man made diamonds, marquise, and asscher cuts all have different appearances.
It is impossible to say what shape is best, as it is a very personal choice influenced by the style, profile, size, budget, and how the diamond looks when worn.
Loose Diamond or Engagement Ring?
Purchasing a loose diamond offers the consumer an opportunity to choose the center stone, and can allow them to compare the specifications of the diamond to the rings listed on the retailer’s website or at the store.
The alternative is a complete engagement ring, which allows the consumer to buy a ring with center stone already set.
For engagement rings, you should also consider factors like band width, profile, platinum, white, yellow, or rose gold, solitaire or halo mounting, pave’, bezel, or three-stone setting, ring size, repair and resizing, wedding band compatibility, and cleaning and maintenance.
A large center stone is not always the best choice, as it is the combination of the ring and the stone that will ultimately determine how the ring looks.
What to Check Before You Buy
It is always advisable to make a purchase based on more than just one factor.
Before buying a diamond, make sure you know whether the carat weight listed refers to the center stone or total carat weight.
Make sure to check the grading report, and ask for more information if it is not available.
Consider the diamond’s dimensions, color, clarity, cut, and fluorescence.
Review the return policy, resizing policy, warranty, and customer service options.
You should also check the precious-metal specifications, if applicable.
For New Zealand consumers comparing the options between lab-grown and other types of natural diamond, novitadiamonds.co.nz can act as a reference point when you want to buy lab grown diamonds and shop around the country for other types of natural diamond.
After you make a purchase, keep the receipt and grading report for future reference.
Lab-grown and Natural Diamonds Have Different Resale Markets
Lab-grown and natural diamonds can share similarities in appearance and value, but there are significant differences between the two when it comes to resale value.
Lab-grown diamonds are man-made, and there is no scarcity involved in the way there is with natural diamond.
The price you pay is unlikely to reflect the value of the diamond in the future, as well as resale value.
The most important aspect of a purchase should always be what you want for yourself, and a lab-grown diamond is a brilliant choice if you prefer the appearance and value of a natural diamond without having to spend as much money upfront.
Lab-grown diamonds offer the consumer additional choice in the world of natural stones. They are real diamonds, but are formed in a controlled laboratory environment.
When considering laboratory-grown diamonds for sale in New Zealand, it is essential to choose the right shape, size, and specifications according to your preferences.
The 4 Cs remain one of the best tools in determining value, while a grading report can offer additional insight into the characteristics of the stone.
The most important aspect of a laboratory-grown diamond purchase, however, is not comparing lab-grown to natural diamond, but what that specific diamond offers compared to its price.
Lab-grown diamonds are also a great option for engagement rings, as there is a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles to choose from.
The purchase of a loose diamond offers more flexibility and choice compared to an engagement ring with the center stone already set, but it is also helpful to consider the band width, profile, and other aspects of the ring itself.
