Placing themselves as the centre of attention amongst money-savvy customers, lab diamond engagement rings have seen a rise in popularity and all for the right reasons! The environmental and humanitarian toll that natural diamonds can take on Earth are devastating. Consumers are increasingly becoming more conscious of the sourcing of the products they purchase, and this also extends to the jewellery they wear. Therefore, it is unsurprising that 70% of millennials would consider a moissanite or lab diamond as an alternative to a mined diamond engagement ring.
Trying to express your love and admiration for your partner while style, trends and budgets are constantly changing can be perplexing. The overload of information can be somewhat overwhelming. However don’t worry, this complete lab diamond engagement ring guide will take you through all the information step by step to ensure you find the perfect lab-grown engagement ring that will be treasured forever. Leading Uk lab-grown jewellery specialists at Lily Arkwright have provided us with some guidance on where to start when it comes to lab-grown engagement rings.
Mimicking the natural growing process of how mined diamonds are formed, lab diamonds are formed under controlled conditions within a laboratory with two different methods used to produce lab diamonds, high pressure high temperature (HPHT) and chemical deposition (CVD). Typically, either process takes less than a month to complete, and after this, similar to natural diamonds, cutting and polishing take place to achieve that special sparkle.
Each and every lab-grown diamond featured in Lily Arkwright’s lab grown diamond engagement ring collection is fully certified and independently assessed by strict international IGI criteria. All of the rings come complete with an IGI grading certificate and a gem Certificate and Assurance Labs (GCALl), or the most prestigious, a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certificate, the same stringent certifications that accompany natural diamonds.
Choosing a lab diamond has a number of advantages over mined diamonds. With a reduced environmental impact in comparison to mined diamonds, which can take an excess 80 tonnes of earth to locate just a 1.0ct diamond. All lab-grown diamonds at Lily Arkwright are certified and accompanied by an international gemological institute (IGI), Gem Certificate and Assurance Labs (GCAL) or a gemological institute of America (GIA) certificate. Assuring the customer that no individual, family, or community was displaced, violated, or harmed during the production of your ring.
Simply put, you can choose a larger or higher quality stone based on your budget. Every lab diamond is graded in the same way as a mined diamond, utilising the cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Their lab-grown diamonds are an amazing option for those who still want the classic and characteristic sparkle of a diamond ring. The positives are huge, and the price difference alone should be enough to convince you. With the number and variety of options available when trying to decide on an engagement ring, lab-grown diamonds and moissanite show that a move away from traditionally mined diamonds is on the horizon.
Another significant benefit of choosing lab diamonds is their ethical and sustainable credentials, which are highly attributed to their growth in popularity. Lab-grown jewellery has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditionally mined diamonds, eliminating all of the ethical implications that are often associated with mining practices.
It is estimated that 80 tonnes of earth are moved in order to remove a single carat of diamond. When you think about the sheer quantity of diamonds removed from the planet- on average, 148 million carats were mined in 2018 alone. That’s a lot of disruption to our earth! However, the energy needed to produce lab-grown diamonds is a fraction of the scale.
Compared to diamonds harvested from the earth, lab diamonds are incredibly cost-effective! At up to 30% less than mined diamond rings, the price difference between the two can vary based on the quality and size of the stone. This is due to a shorter production chain, which raises the cost of manufacturing. Lab diamonds are an excellent alternative ring if you are within a budget or just want a more aesthetic, larger stone for your money.
In addition, if you choose to opt for a Lily Arkwright ring, you are assured that you are receiving the best quality ring at the most affordable price point on the market. All of Lily Arkwright’s rings are priced competitively.
Sharing both the exact same visual characteristics and chemical properties as mined diamonds, this also applies to the gems hardness rating on the Mohs Scale of hardness. Both lab diamonds and mined diamonds share a score of 10, making them the hardest minerals on the planet. This is because lab diamonds are REAL diamonds!
They take great satisfaction in their ability to create gorgeous fine jewellery that is both ethical and sustainable, all while maintaining unmatched customer service. Providing lab-grown diamond engagement rings, coloured gemstones, and moissanite engagement rings of the finest calibre. For a stunning bridal set. Be sure to also look through their choices of moissanite earrings and pendants.
Lily Arkwright is an enthusiastic National Association of Jewellers member who prides themselves on being an assay-assured jewellery merchant. Every piece of precious metal jewellery sold by assay-assured jewellery shops carries the legally needed independent hallmark confirming the precious metal content, providing security above and beyond what is required by law. Check out their trust pilot to see what their gleaming customer reviews have to say.
It’s a daunting decision to decide to propose, but having the appropriate ring is essential. Visit the Lily Arkwright website or get in touch with one of their knowledgeable jewellery advisers by email at hello@lilyarkwright.com or by phone at 0161 537 6773 if you’d like to learn more about lab-grown engagement rings and why they might be the best option for you.