Is it acceptable to use lab-grown diamonds in an engagement ring?
Firstly, what is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
There are two main types of lab-grown diamonds. One of them is HPHT which stands for high-pressure, high temperature. HPHT diamonds are created with huge machines that compress carbon to create a diamond under great pressure and heat, similar to the forces of nature. The second type of lab-grown diamond is CVD which stands for chemical vapour disposition which is a diamond that is grown in a laboratory.
So, both HPHT and CVD are considered lab-grown diamonds or man-made diamonds.
The very simple economics is that anything that can be made by man can be made in unlimited quantities and therefore once you have unlimited supply there is no minimum price.
The question to answer – “Is the use of a lab-grown diamond in an engagement ring acceptable?”
The symbol of an engagement ring is a public symbol of love and a commitment to a person to show this authenticity of this commitment. The engagement ring, therefore, must contain an item of lasting intrinsic value – a lab-grown diamond as we can see does not.
Let’s ask the question for one moment. If a piece of glass could be polished to sparkle like a diamond would it be acceptable in an engagement ring?
Of course not, this is not a jewellery item that has lasting intrinsic value. It is commonly available and has no rarity, the same principle applies to lab-grown diamonds.
Myths about Lab-grown diamonds
Myth 1
There are valuable expensive lab-grown diamonds, for example, people have paid hundreds of thousands of rands for a lab-grown diamond. Surely this is a symbol of commitment to the person that receives this engagement ring. The answer is no, unfortunately, the person who purchased this expensive lab-grown diamond has been deceived and has purchased a jewellery item of no intrinsic value. The metaphor for this is if a family receives labola of ten cows for a daughter and these ten cows have diseases at the time of transfer of ownership, and die shortly after, this is not a labola.
Myth 2
For the same cost or investment, a lab-grown diamond may be far larger or more attractive than the equivalent natural diamond. This may be true; however, one can get an engagement ring made of metal with a piece of glass that is incredibly large and incredibly beautiful and has no value. This is not an acceptable engagement ring.
Myth 3
Lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly. This is often marketed by the sellers of lab-grown diamonds and unfortunately, lab-grown diamonds are not eco-friendly. HPHT and CVD lab-grown diamonds take a great deal of energy and are not environmentally friendly as marketed by the sellers.
Myth 4
An engagement ring is not going to be re-sold therefore the value or resale value is not relevant. This is completely relevant whilst the purpose of an engagement ring is not to sell it or appreciate in value. The sign of commitment is relative to the value of the jewellery item given. As a lab-grown diamond has zero value, despite having paid a lot of money, it has zero value and therefore it is not a symbol of commitment.
Lastly, one needs to consider the motivation of a person who purchases jewellery gifts or wears a lab-grown diamonds. It would seem that the intention in all those situations is to deceive. A person who wears a lab-grown diamond that is bigger than the equivalent natural diamond likely has the intention to deceive the people who look at the jewellery piece. The person who gifts or proposes with lab-grown diamonds with whatever motivation, is most likely trying to deceive the person who is receiving the engagement ring into believing they are being proposed to with something of value. The people who sell these zero-value jewellery items has the full knowledge that they will never have any intrinsic value and would never pay anything for these items should the customer wish to return them. They are ultimately deceiving the customer.
It is clear that the use of a Lab grown diamonds in an engagement ring is not acceptable as there is no authenticity or deep commitment to the person or the relationship.
Should you be concerned as to whether the diamond in your engagement ring is a natural and valuable diamond or a lab grown, we at Jack Friedman Jewellers are willing to test your diamond at no charge. Jack Friedman Jewellers feel it is essential to assist couples to know that there is a strong commitment in their relationship before embarking in this wonderful journey called “marriage”.
One thought on “Real or Fake love… What does a Lab-grown Diamond in your Engagement Ring symbolise?”
Interesting blog, completely changed my mind about lab-grown diamonds. Only buying Real Natural Diamonds!
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