Lab diamonds, also called man-made diamonds and lab-created diamonds, are a sustainable and affordable alternative to earth-mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are a rapidly growing trend in the jewelry industry, with many younger couples opting for lab diamonds because of their price, transparency, and environmental sustainability. Whether you're thinking about tying the knot or treating yourself, here's why you should consider buying a lab diamond.

Environmental Sustainability

Due to a lack of green mining practices, the total carbon footprint of an earth-mined diamond is considerably high. The environmental consequences of diamond mining extend far beyond its carbon emissions, and diamond mining has been associated with water pollution, habitat destruction, and volcanic eruptions.

As an ethical and sustainable alternative to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds require significantly less energy to grow in a lab than mining natural diamonds. 

Lab diamonds are grown by placing a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber and applying a combination of heat and extreme pressure. The sealed chamber mimics the natural diamond growing process in accordance with highest safety measures, and crystallization allows the lab diamond to mature and form molecular bonds. Loose diamonds are then cut, polished, and graded by diamond experts to create a man-made diamond with the chemical properties, physical properties, and optical properties of a mined diamond.

As the most commonly used techniques to manufacture lab-grown diamonds, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) processes create high-quality gems by replicating the natural growing processes within the Earth's surface:

  • The CVD process heats ultra-pure carbon-rich gases in a sealed chamber, allowing the carbon atoms within gases to break apart. The carbon falls onto the starter seed layer by layer to create a rough diamond crystal.
  • The HPHT process builds up an extreme pressure of approximately 60,000 atmospheres and a temperature of 2,500 degrees Celsius. The HPHT process involves highly refined graphite, a diamond seed, and a catalyst mixture of metals and powders. After the starter seed is placed in a vacuum chamber, high temperatures and high pressures are applied, allowing carbon atoms to build on the HPHT diamond.

A man and woman embracing each other.

Affordable Prices

Over recent years, technological advancements in the diamond industry have allowed diamond companies to manufacture high-quality lab-grown diamonds more rapidly and cost efficiently. According to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), it costs between $300 and $500 per carat to produce a lab-grown diamond using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes in 2020, compared with $4,000 per carat of diamond in 2008. Due to their low price point, many younger couples choose lab-grown diamonds to design their wish list engagement ring.

If you're searching for the perfect engagement ring or diamond necklace, consider working with a wholesaler to find the best diamond for your budget. Wholesale jewelers allow customers to benefit from promotional discounts and special offer promotions instead of paying two-to-three times more at other jewelers and retail jewelry stores.

As a wholesale jeweler, Agape Diamonds offers free shipping within the United States on all diamond jewelry and prices lower than popular fine jewelry designer collections like Ada Diamonds, De Beers, Helzberg Diamonds, Diamond Nexus, and James Allen. Paired with our 100% money back guarantee, you can shop with confidence knowing you're getting the best deal for your budget.

Quality Craftsmanship

According to a recent study, lab-grown diamonds have a significant edge over earth-mined diamonds, as lab-grown diamonds, which are frequently manufactured for industrial use, were found to be 10-times more durable than natural diamonds. 

Lab-grown diamonds are cut, faceted, and polished by diamond experts with years of experience in the jewelry industry to ensure every diamond is free of inclusions, imperfections, and impurities, making lab-grown diamonds the perfect choice for a diamond engagement ring or ring set.

All diamond jewelry by Agape Diamonds is made to order, assuring high-quality craftsmanship, unmatched quality, and exceptional customer service. Whether you're interested in custom engagement rings or diamond fashion rings, our customer service support team can help you design the diamond ring of your dreams. 

Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite, and other synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants, lab-grown diamonds by Agape Diamonds are guaranteed to last, meaning your diamond won't fade, lose its sparkle, or show any inclusions.

Clean Origin

Unlike natural diamonds, buying a lab diamond allows you to know the origin of your diamond with 100% certainty. In the diamond industry, controversy regarding 'blood diamonds" or conflict diamonds remains an issue in the minds of many consumers.

Although nearly 99.9% of real diamonds are conflict-free, buying a lab diamond provides you with the peace of mind of knowing your diamond ring has a clean origin. Lab-created diamonds from reputable jewelers come with a certificate from the Gemological Institute of America, International Gemological Institute, or other independent gem lab with necessary information about gemstone color, cut, clarity, and carat size to ensure authenticity.

Every lab diamond by Agape Diamonds is guaranteed conflict-free and designed by expert jewelers in the United States. Our HPHT and CVD diamonds are treated and cut in a professional lab to create beautiful diamond rings and fine jewelry, so you can rest assured knowing you've made an ethical choice.

Unrivaled Brilliance

Real diamonds are created by the high pressure and extreme heat of the Earth's mantle approximately 100 miles underground. Because the growth process of lab diamonds replicates the natural growing conditions of real diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from mined diamonds to the naked eye in gemstone color, cut, and clarity.

At Agape Diamonds, we offer a wide variety of shapes, including Round, Princess, Emerald, Marquise, and Square, as well as precious metals like white gold, rose gold, and sterling silver to create the perfect ring setting. Our beautiful lab diamonds are also available in multiple gem colors, including pink, blue, yellow, and colorless diamonds.

As a new and exciting trend in the diamond industry, many consumers are drawn to lab diamonds because of their affordable prices, clean origin, quality craftsmanship, and sustainability. Although deciding which type of diamond to buy is a deeply personal decision, understanding the benefits of lab-grown diamonds can help you make the decision that's right for you.