Lab diamond or Moissanite: What You Need to Know!
Have you been trying to understand the difference between Lab diamonds and Moissanite with natural diamonds? Don’t worry we are here to guide you with this article. The term “lab diamond” refers to diamonds created through chemical synthesis. These diamonds are often sold at higher prices than moissanite because they are considered superior to natural diamonds.
Lab diamonds are created using a laboratory setting where chemicals are added to create a synthetic diamond. This process takes several days and requires specialized equipment. In contrast, moissanite diamonds are created by heating silicon carbide in an electric furnace for about some hours.
What is the difference between Lab diamond or Moissanite and mined diamonds?
The answer to this question will help you decide which type of diamond jewelry is best for your budget and taste. Lab Diamonds or Moissanite or Mined Diamonds are all different types of gemstones with similar appearance but with other characteristics.
All of these diamonds have their advantages and disadvantages. The main differences are how they’re grown, cut, polished, graded, and treated. Let’s take a look at each one.
What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
Lab grown diamonds are created by using special techniques: the CVD diamond method and HPHT diamond method, to grow a diamond as a natural diamond in labs. They can be used as an alternative to mined diamonds because they are more affordable.
Lab-grown diamonds are created by growing a seed diamond in a furnace at extremely high temperatures and under very high pressures applied by air blasts. Once the seed diamond has been grown, it is cut and polished with special machinery designed to achieve the same level of perfection as mined diamonds. They also come in many shapes and sizes, so they’re perfect for any jewelry design.
Is a lab-grown a real diamond?
Yes, it’s real! It’s just grown artificially in a laboratory instead of being dug out of the ground. Lab-grown diamond is not mined from the earth, but it still has the same physical, optical, and chemical properties as a naturally mined diamond.
Lab-grown diamonds have the same composition, size, and color as naturally mined diamonds without defects. These diamonds are produced in laboratories to verify genuine diamonds’ structural and physical characteristics after they are set into jewelry.
Does lab-grown have resale value?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds do have a resale value as mined diamonds. But it depends on the quality of the diamond. The market price of lab-grown diamonds varies depending on their quality and grade. If it were bought at a higher price, it would have a resale value.
The main benefit of lab-grown diamonds is their availability. Lab diamonds are now being produced in large quantities and are affordable for all. This has made them popular among buyers, especially those who want to save money on mined diamonds.
Will you regret lab-grown?
No, you won’t regret buying lab-grown diamonds if you choose wisely. You should buy loose lab–grown diamonds only when you know what you’re getting yourself into. It would be best if you made sure that the lab-grown diamond you purchase is of good quality and meets your expectations before you go ahead and spend your hard-earned money on it.
Is lab-grown ethical?
Yes, it is ethical. Lab-grown diamonds are ethically sourced. They are grown in a controlled environment where no harm is done to the environment. There are no harmful chemicals used during the growth process. So, they are safe to use and environmentally friendly.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheaper than mined diamonds | They are not mined naturally |
| Available in all shapes, colors, and sizes | Some people think that lab-grown diamonds are inferior to mined ones |
| Durable | They are not natural diamonds |
| Easy to clean and maintain | Not as expensive as natural diamonds |
| Hypoallergenic | They are more expensive than moissanite and American diamonds |
| Eco-friendly | |
| Non-toxic |
What is a Moissanite?
Moissanite is a synthetic gemstone that looks and feels similar to a real diamond but is not considered real. And it is usually white or slightly yellowish in color. Moissanite costs less than a real diamond or lab created diamond.
It is an artificial diamond manufactured using silicon carbide (SiC), a mineral composed of carbon and silicon atoms.
Is a Moissanite gem a real diamond?
No, it is not a real diamond because it does not meet the standards of a real diamond. A real diamond must contain high levels of carbon. On the other hand, Moissanite can be clear, and flawless, but with low carbon content. It is also known as simulated diamonds.
Does Moissanite have resale value?
No, it doesn’t have resale value. However, it is still considered a valuable gemstone. Because it is so much cheaper than an earth-mined diamond, many jewelers will offer discounts for Moissanite.
Will you regret Moissanite?
Not every time, but you may regret it later because it will not last forever. Moissanite is not as strong as a real diamond. Therefore, it can break easily. Also, it is not very resistant to heat. Moissanite is mainly used for affordable jewelry purposes.
Is Moissanite ethical?
Yes, Moissanite is ethical because it is not a real stone. It is just an artificial material. It is not mined from the earth like a natural diamond. It comes from a laboratory. So, it is ethical.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| It is cheaper than an earth-mined and lab grown diamond | It is not as strong as a real diamond |
| It is more affordable than a lab-grown diamond | It may not last for a lifetime |
| It is easier to find in large sizes | It may change color over time |
What is a Natural Earth-Mined Diamond
A natural earth-mined diamond is a type of diamond that has been extracted from its original location. The diamond was formed millions of years ago, and then it was buried underground. When miners uncovered it, it became a diamond. These diamonds are found naturally in different parts of the world, such as Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Russia, South America, etc.
Is a natural a real diamond?
Yes, it is a real diamond. It is mined from the surface of the earth. This makes it more expensive than a lab-grown one. These diamonds were dug out from their original locations. They are not synthetic. They are not man-made. They are mined from the ground.
Do natural diamonds have resale value?
Yes, it has resale value. People who buy them believe that they are buying something rare and unique. They are willing to pay more for these stones because they know they will appreciate their value over time.-
Will you regret natural diamonds?
Maybe, if you purchase a natural diamond, you won’t regret it. You will get what you paid for. But, you have to break your bank to purchase one. If you don’t want to spend too much money on a piece of jewelry, you should consider buying a lab-grown diamond instead.
Is natural diamond ethical?
Natural diamonds are not ethical as lab-grown diamonds. They are mined from nature and harm the environment. They are not sustainable because they take away resources from the earth. They are unethical because they cause damage to the planet.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| They are rare and unique | They are more expensive |
| They are real mined diamond | They are harder to find |
| Not eco-friendly as lab-grown diamond and Moissanite | |
| Rarely available in your desire size and quality | |
| Include child labor | |
| More Inclusion and Imperfections |
The Difference Between Earth-mined, Lab-Grown, or Moissanite
| Types | Natural or Manmade? | Price | Brilliance and Fire | Hardness |
| Earth-Mined Diamond | Natural | extremely high | Same | 10 in Moh scale of hardness |
| Lab-Grown Diamond | Man-made | 30%-50% less | Same | 10 in moh scale of hardness |
| Moissanite | Man-made | 50-90%% less | Same | 9.25 in Moh scale of hardness |
What is the Price Difference?
Lab-grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds. However, they are still expensive compared to other types of gemstones. For example, if Moissanite costs about $50 per carat, then a lab-grown diamond can cost around $1,000 per carat, and an earth-mined diamond costs $2,500 per carat.
What is the Difference in Appearance?
Both Lab diamond or Moissanite look shiny and white. However, a lab-grown diamond is brighter than a Moissanite. A lab-grown diamond is also more substantial than a Moissanite because it is made with carbon atoms. On the other hand, a Moissanite looks real, but it isn’t as hard. It doesn’t have the same strength as a natural and lab-grown diamond.
Durability
A naturally mined diamond and lab-created diamonds have the same strength as they have the same properties. At the same time, Moissanite is softer than both of them. So, there is no difference between lab diamonds and natural diamonds when it comes to durability.
Brilliance
They all have the same fire and brilliance as they are all cut and polished. But it is more difficult to find a good quality natural diamond than lab-grown diamonds because they are harder to mine and rare.
Visual Beauty
When it comes to visual beauty, all three gems are equally beautiful. The only difference is that a lab-grown moissanite diamond looks shinier than a natural diamond because the mined stone has more natural flaws and inclusion than lab-grown diamonds.
Beauty & Quality
Lab-grown diamonds are better than natural diamonds. This is because they have no flaws and are flawless. Natural diamonds have imperfections such as inclusions, making them look duller and less attractive.