There are three main comparable points between Natural Diamonds, Lab Grown Diamonds and Moissanite. Price, Source and Value.
Let’s dive into the details of each of these factors.
– PRICE –
Natural Diamonds are our most costly stone followed by Lab Grown Diamonds and then Moissanite.
The price of a Natural Diamond is based on several factors such as mining costs, diamond cutting costs, rarity and diamond grading. Thus, their price tag.
While Lab Grown diamonds share a number of these costs too, they don’t have the cost of mining attached to them and are not considered to be as rare as a naturally occurring Diamond.
Moissanites are by far the most affordable option and often, can be around a 10th of the price of a natural Diamond. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral called Silicon Carbide. Due to the fact that it is very rare in nature, scientists have found a way to create Moissanites in a laboratory. The process of creating Moissanite started in the late 90s making these gems more attainable, less costly and a highly popular Diamond alternative.
– SOURCE –
Natural Diamonds are mined from the earth. Geologically speaking, natural diamonds are found in two environments. Most are found in kimberlites, which are pipe-like formations created as a result of volcanic and tectonic activity.
The second geological source for diamonds is placer deposits. The diamonds are easily weathered out of their kimberlite host rock and are washed away by streams and rivers. When these streams slow down, the diamonds are deposited in the stream sands in what are called placer deposits.
Lab-Grown Diamonds and Moissanites are created in a high-tech laboratory that simulates the conditions in which Diamonds and Moissanites are formed, using the exact same chemical components as the naturally occurring stones.
There are two methods by which Lab Grown Diamonds are created – you can read more about that here. We make use of Diamonds created via the CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method. This method uses a slice (known as a ‘seed’) of a natural Diamond to grow a Lab Grown Diamond – Quite remarkable if you think of it.
– VALUE –
Natural Diamonds not only hold their value over time but larger and rarer Diamonds increase in value over time, which is why it is considered a long-term investment.
While Lab Grown Diamonds are classed as 100% a real Diamond, they do not currently hold the same value as a Natural Diamond. This is mostly due to the fact that they are perceived as less rare than a mined diamond.
Lab-created Moissanites are not considered as valuable as a Lab or Natural Diamond as they are easy to replicate and far less rare than a Diamond. Thus, they do not hold a high value and do not increase in value over time.
