How To Purchase High Quality Diamonds For Less

How can one purchase the fire and scintillation desired in a diamond at a reasonable price? This is the question diamond lovers everywhere who are deterred by high gemstone prices are asking. The once popular, inexpensive synthetic substitute, cubic zirconia (CZ), is heavier and far less fiery than real diamond, and larger CZs can’t even pass for real to the naked eye. However, all is not lost. Lab- created diamonds are finally here, and they aren’t pale imitations of the real thing any longer. These flawless gems ARE the real thing — chemically and visually identical to natural stones.

Lab produced stones, often called “cultured” diamonds, are the same carbon crystals that can be found in diamond mines. They have identical chemical, optical and physical properties to stones that occurred naturally, and this results in them having the same brilliance, sparkle, fire and scintillation. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades cultured gems by the same standards it uses for the mined ones. In fact, the GIA acknowledges that these ARE genuine diamonds. The only difference is the rating will describe the stones as “laboratory grown.”

High quality colored stones are extremely rare in nature, and thus very expensive. These colors result from certain impurities – nitrogen will create yellow, boron will create blue, and so forth. Besides being flawless, lab-created diamonds can easily be produced in several different colors. Prices for these vibrantly colored stones are fairly comparable to colorless gems.

Similar to their natural counterparts, cultured diamonds can be purchased either loose, or already in jewelry settings. Most jewelry and department stores don’t carry them, however. These stones have only just been introduced to the market, and still comprise only a small portion of the total diamond inventory out there.

Here are some differences to be aware of regarding man-made diamonds: 1. Most are 1-2 carats in weight. Larger stones are made, but are the exception, rather than the rule. 2. The majority of man-made stones are colored, rather than colorless – precisely the opposite of natural stones. 3. While experts can detect that these gems are man-made, special equipment is required to be sure. This equipment is very expensive. 4. It is far easier to find “matched pairs” of identical man-made stones for use in jewelry than it is when one is using natural gems.

So, should you be concerned that someone will try to pass off a man-made diamond to you as the “real thing?” This is probably not all that likely if you are purchasing from someone reputable. First of all, the manufacturers of the lab-grown diamonds are very proud of the gems they are able to produce. Secondly, these are actually diamonds rather than “cheap” imitations. Thirdly, the difference in the stones is detectable. And lastly, jewelers have every incentive to preserve the integrity of the natural diamond market, so a jeweler will readily help you identify what you are getting.

While lab-created gems are available less expensively than natural stones, they are not priced anywhere near as low as cheap CZ. Expect to pay about one third less for lab produced diamonds than for natural ones. Cultured diamonds are readily available through websites that openly and proudly announce that their stones are lab-grown. However, just like any other online purchase, carefully check out the vendor prior to your purchase to make sure they are reputable.

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