In addition to offering traditional, mined-from-the-earth diamonds, Scott’s also offers the new, man-made, lab grown diamonds as a more sustainable, affordable and ethically sourced option for building your dream engagement ring, necklace, bracelet or other piece of jewelry. And, when you purchase a lab grown diamond from us, Scott’s will send a company donation equal to $100/carat to The Dublin Food Pantry as part of our commitment to help serve our community. So not only will you save money and the environment when you choose a lab grown diamond, but your purchase also helps put food on the table for those in need. Talk about a win/win!
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With the new, man-made, lab grown diamonds becoming more popular because they are cost-effective (like 70% less than mined diamonds!), conflict-free and eco-friendly, it’s important to note that not all lab-grown diamonds are created equal. Just like diamonds formed in the earth, there are also a lot of variances in diamonds that are grown in the lab. Some are pretty, and some are … well, not so pretty!
The biggest thing to note is that lab grown diamonds are not “stamped out” or molded like putty. Diamond crystals, called rough, are made in a lab setting using a diamond seed. After the rough is formed, it’s all about the cutting, just like in mine diamonds.
As a third-generation jeweler, I’ve seen so many diamonds come across my desk these past 25 years. And boy, do I have some stories! I know what to look for (believe it or not, there’s math involved!) and will help you pick the best diamond – whether it’s a mined diamond or a lab grown diamond – for your engagement ring!
Let’s start by telling you what they are not!
Like diamonds mined from the earth, lab grown diamonds, according to the Federal Trade Commission, are carbon crystalized in the isometric system with a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, with a specific gravity of 3.52 and a refractive index of 2.42.
That’s a really scientific way of saying: There’s no difference, chemically, between a mined diamond and a lab grown diamond.
They are also the same, optically and physically, as mined diamonds. The only difference is that one is grown in a lab, the other is mined from the ground. Kind of like tomatoes grown in a greenhouse vs. tomatoes grown in a garden.
As with lab grown sapphires, rubies and other colored gemstones, the difference is in the sustainability and cost of the gems. And that’s a BIG deal.
Because of how they are made and, more importantly, how they are obtained, lab grown diamonds generally cost 70% less than mined diamonds.
But picking out a lab grown diamond still requires some expertise. There are good looking diamonds, and diamonds that look like chunks of ice-melting salt. As my grandpa used to say, you need to pick out the diamond that “winks at you.” That’s where I can help!
Lab grown diamonds are made by recreating nature’s process above ground. It’s pretty fascinating, too! The process combines technology and craftsmanship to produce larger, brighter diamonds at a lower price.
First, a high-quality, lab grown diamond seed is placed in a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) chamber, or greenhouse.
Then, hydrogen is pumped into the chamber and ignited. Methane, which is the source of carbon for diamonds, is introduced, and the diamond is left to grow, layer by layer, for about 12 weeks.
After growing, the rough diamond crystal is ready to be cut. Here’s where the skill of the diamond cutter comes into play. Using techniques that have been around for generations, expert diamond cutters cut, facet and polish the gemstones.
Besides offering lab grown diamonds and re-purposing diamonds from older jewelry, Scott’s Custom Jewelers also recycles the gold from old, broken jewelry that’s traded in on a custom jewelry design.
The old gold is sent to a company who refines it, then sends us purified gold chunks to use in our new jewelry castings. Heck, we even recycle the gold dust that collects on our equipment! Every little bit helps. Why hurt the earth when we can recycle and save? We’re very proud of the fact that in over 20 years of business, we’ve never had to buy newly mined gold.
With our headquarters near Columbus, Ohio, our custom jewelry services are also available to pretty much anyone with a smartphone! Sure, you could swing by our brick and mortar store, but if your busy schedule doesn’t comply, or you live out in California and a ticket to John Glenn Airport isn’t in the budget, you can always do everything digitally.
If you’d like more information on lab grown diamonds, we’d be happy to help. Give us a call, and let’s make something beautiful, together!
