Frequently asked questions
We are excited to announce that we are now carrying two new brands of jewelry that are made using Lab-Created Diamonds. Engrace Diamonds by Little Switzerland, a pioneering new brand dedicated to exploring fresh ideas and updating traditional styles with astounding new twists using Lab-Grown diamonds.
Nuri & Ash jewelry was born from a vision, and that vision involves Lighting a Fire for women's empowerment with every purchase from their conflict-free lab-grown diamond jewelry collection.
Lab-Grown Diamonds are new to the market so we've put together a list of questions and answers that you might have about these new above ground diamonds.
Shop lab-grown diamond jewelry styles here. Purchase with confidence, view the Engrace Diamonds by Little Switzerland return/exchange policy here.
Lab-grown diamonds are pure carbon diamonds grown in highly-controlled laboratory conditions that simulate the Earth’s natural growing process, above ground. The results yield real diamonds that are physically, chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds. With today’s technological advances, we are growing diamonds that are free of conflict and socially responsible.
The primary difference between lab-grown diamonds and earth-formed diamonds are the methods by which they are created. These lab-grown diamonds consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical, chemical and optical characteristics as mined diamonds.
Below ground diamonds are formed in Earth in a matter of hours - much faster than it takes for them to grow in a lab. For the most part, diamonds are then stuck in the ground for a long time until they are extracted. All atoms on Earth are billions of years old. The water in the oceans is billions of years old. The atoms of our above ground diamonds are billions of years old
Lab-grown diamonds are created by placing a tiny carbon ‘seed’ of a pre-existing diamond into a chamber of heat and pressure. This chamber mimics the natural growing process. Crystallization occurs allowing the diamond to mature within six to ten weeks. It is then cut, polished and graded by the same world-renowned labs that certify earth-mined diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are atomically identical to mined diamonds: the stones grow through the same processes that occur in the earth’s layers, but unlike mined diamonds, they do not compromise social and environmental justices.
Lab-grown diamonds cause less damage to the earth than do natural diamonds, because they do not require the movement of any land, water or other physical features. Instead of moving mountains of earth and large waterways, the lab simply places the starter carbon seed in a machine, where it grows into a diamond of the desired size. As a result, lab-grown diamonds have a significantly lower impact on the plants, animals, and land features of the Earth.
Lab-grown diamonds require less energy to produce than do natural diamonds. While some energy is required to produce the high temperature, high pressure environment in which lab-grown diamonds grow, it is not nearly as much energy as is required to produce natural diamonds. Using less energy translates into using fewer resources such as oil and natural gas. It also means causing less pollution and carbon emissions that can damage the environment over time.
Below-ground diamonds and lab-grown diamonds have the exact same costs when it comes to cutting, polishing, and inspection. However, up to that point, the costs and processes are very different. Below-ground, or mined, diamonds have a long supply chain, and touch many more hands on their way from the ground to a retailer. On the flip side, the lab-grown diamond supply chain is much shorter (and the process uses much less energy) by skipping the mining process.
Lab-grown diamonds are cut, polished and graded exactly the same as below ground diamonds.
If you have any additional questions we have complied a list of the top 10 Questions and Answers on Lab-Grown Diamonds.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.
MY WISH LIST
XYour wish list is empty.
X
X
X
WISH LIST AND COMPARE
Do you want to add products to your personal account?
YES
NO
