The Pros and Cons of Buying Lab Diamonds Online vs In Store
With the rise in popularity of lab-grown diamonds, many people are now considering buying a diamond online or in-store. But which is the better option? Let’s look at the pros and cons of purchasing a lab diamond online and in-store to make an informed decision.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is an engineered stone that is chemically, visually, and optically identical to a mined diamond, but it was created with the help of technology. A lab-grown diamond is made using advanced technology, replicating the conditions natural diamonds form underground. This process occurs inside a laboratory and takes weeks or even months to complete. The result is a real diamond—but one grown in a lab instead of being mined from the ground.
Lab-grown diamonds have all the same properties as mined diamonds and can be cut, polished, and graded like any other diamond. They come in every shape and size—from brilliant round cuts to fancy shapes like hearts or pear shapes—and are available in all colours, including white (the most popular), yellow, blue, green, pink, orange, champagne, cognac and black.
The Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The biggest benefit of purchasing a lab-grown diamond over a mined one is cost savings; because these stones were artificially created rather than taken from the earth’s surface after thousands of years of natural formation processes, they are less expensive than their mined counterparts. Additionally, since they don’t require large amounts of energy or resources to extract them from nature (as with mined diamonds) they also have a smaller environmental footprint than their traditional counterparts. Furthermore, some people choose lab-grown diamonds because they feel ethically better about their purchase; while it’s possible to purchase conflict-free or ethically mined stones today, there is still controversy surrounding many traditional gems due to unethical labour practices during extraction and distribution processes. By choosing a laboratory-grown gemstone, people can avoid potential issues related to human rights violations or unethical labour practices associated with sourcing natural gems from certain areas worldwide.
Purchasing Lab Diamonds Online
The pros of buying lab diamonds online include convenience, cost savings, and access to more options. Shopping for diamonds online allows you to browse a much larger selection than what is available at your local jewellery store. Furthermore, because there are no overhead costs associated with virtual stores, they can typically offer lower prices than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Finally, shopping for diamonds online is extremely convenient; you can do it from home without dealing with salespeople or long lines.
On the other hand, some people may not feel comfortable buying diamonds online due to security concerns or a lack of knowledge about how they should be evaluated. For example, when purchasing a diamond online, it’s important that you only buy from reputable vendors who have an established track record for delivering high-quality stones. Pay attention to the “four C’s” when evaluating any diamond—cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight—to ensure you’re getting a quality stone for your money.
Purchasing Lab Diamonds In Store
The primary benefit of buying a lab diamond in-store is that you can see the diamond before making a purchase. This allows you to evaluate it up close and ensure it meets your quality expectations before committing to it. Additionally, if there are any questions or concerns about the diamond or its certification document (if applicable), you can speak directly with someone who works at the store, which should be able to answer them immediately.
Another potential benefit of buying a lab diamond in-store is that some stores may offer special financing options or discounts when paying with cash rather than credit cards; this could save you money over time if these discounts are offered where you live. However, one potential downside of purchasing diamonds in person is that stores often carry limited selections compared to what’s available online; this limits your choices when looking for something specific. Furthermore, jewellery stores tend to be more expensive due to overhead costs associated with running them, such as rent and utilities.
The 4 Cs of Choosing a Lab Diamond
When choosing a lab diamond, it’s important to consider the four Cs—cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. These are the same four characteristics used when grading mined diamonds, but when shopping for lab diamonds, some additional considerations come into play.
Cut: A lab diamond’s cut is determined by its proportions and symmetry. The more symmetrical a diamond is, the more sparkle it will have and the more beautiful it will look. Generally speaking, lab diamonds with higher cut grades tend to be brighter than those with lower cut grades. Furthermore, more intricate cuts like princess or cushion cuts can add even more sparkle and brilliance while creating unique visual effects.
Colour: Color is one of the most important characteristics of any diamond because it influences its appearance and value. When selecting a lab diamond, look for one with fewer yellow undertones, so your stone looks whiter than other stones on the market. Additionally, avoid buying stones with noticeable blue or green tints; these colours indicate that your stone may not be genuine or authentic.
Clarity: Clarity refers to how clear a diamond appears under magnification; stones with higher clarity ratings tend to have fewer visible inclusions or blemishes than those with lower clarity ratings. For example, VVS1-VVS2 clarity lab diamonds usually appear flawless at 10X magnification, whereas SI1-SI2 stones may contain some visible inclusions or blemishes at 10X magnification. Remember when choosing your stone because higher clarity ratings will typically cost more than lower ones.
Carat Weight: Carat weight refers to the size of a diamond; generally speaking, larger stones tend to be more expensive than smaller ones due to their rarity and beauty. When selecting a lab diamond based on carat weight, remember that even though two stones may weigh the same amount, they could still look very different due to variations in their other characteristics (e.g., colour, cut). So if possible, compare multiple stones side-by-side before making your purchase decision!
Conclusion:
Ultimately, whether someone should purchase their lab diamond online or in-store will depend on their individual needs and preferences; there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here! By understanding both the advantages and disadvantages associated with each option, however—as laid out above—you can decide which route best suits you when shopping for your next lab diamond purchase!
Browse our full range of Australian Lab Grown Diamonds online!
by Australian Diamond Brokers : March 30th 2023 Come visit our store or browse our website to find out more.