Why Are Naturally-Mined Diamonds Priceless?
What words spring to mind when you think of a diamond? Most people would say "enchanting, uncommon, and precious." However, a new trend has emerged during the past five years, and the quality of lab-grown diamonds has improved. Some people might doubt a diamond's legitimacy, worth, and quality. A diamond is one of the most meaningful purchases you will ever make, even though it might be a hefty financial expenditure.
An emotional element is involved while buying a diamond. You might be getting ready for the big proposal, celebrating an anniversary, or graduating. It represents your love, dedication, or fresh beginnings and is a moment in time that you will always cherish. So how can you tell whether your special occasion calls for a lab-grown diamond or a diamond extracted naturally? Find out the differences and what stone is for you.
Every Diamond Has Its History
Each stone has a distinct origin narrative, just like the tale behind the diamond you will soon buy. Given their extraordinary origins, naturally mined diamonds are frequently regarded as priceless miracles of nature. Diamonds are considered one to three billion years old, making them older than life on Earth. It takes years for natural diamonds to develop and must be subjected to extremely high pressures and temperatures. All of this occurs a hundred miles or more below the surface of the earth. A limited number of these diamonds were brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions about three hundred to four hundred million years ago. Natural mined diamonds should undoubtedly be regarded as unique, uncommon, and even priceless, given the extraordinary circumstances that came together to produce such beauty.
These exquisite stones weren't first discovered until millions of years later. Natural diamonds were first found in prehistoric Indian caverns. They were even regarded as mystical and possessing powers. Due to their rarity, queens and monarchs throughout China and Europe gave them to represent great status and monarchy.
An In-Depth Look at How a Naturally Mined Diamond Is Created
Diamonds that are extracted from the earth are generated over millions of years under the intense heat and pressure of the earth's interior. They later surfaced from volcanic activity, found in kimberlite pipes, formations of volcanic rock. Years later, they were retrieved from underground mines after a protracted labor procedure. Natural diamonds are priceless gems that are billions of years old and unique and rare, contributing significantly to their worth. Diamond recovery has been steadily declining over time, increasing their rarity and value.
How a Lab-Grown Diamond Is Created
Thanks to its rapid manufacturing process, a lab-grown diamond can be manufactured in as little as one month. Applying tremendous pressure and temperature to replicate the force of the earth is one way to make a diamond. High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) is the process that turns the carbon into a diamond seed (HPHT). Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), the second method, is comparable to using a 3D printer. A diamond seed is coated with bits of carbon inside a vacuum chamber. Both procedures result in a diamond that, to the unaided sight, is an exact replica of a genuine diamond. Only professionals can tell a lab-grown diamond apart because of advancements made over the past few years.
A diamond seed is coated with bits of carbon inside a vacuum chamber. Both procedures result in a diamond that, to the unaided sight, is a replica of a genuine diamond. Only professionals can tell a lab-grown diamond apart because of advancements made over the past few years. Each technique frequently leaves behind distinguishing growth marks and other telltale indicators that reveal their secret. In addition, lab-created diamonds often require color treatment to eliminate imperfections like slight distortions.
However, a lab-grown diamond should not be mistaken for an artificial diamond. Despite having almost identical chemical and physical characteristics, lab-grown diamonds have different crystal structures. This makes them appear to be the same while being substantially less expensive, which appeals to consumers' wallets.
Is this misleading or a great deal?
The Value of Naturally-Mined Diamonds
The worth of a mined diamond has much to be said about it. The same just cannot be said of a lab-grown diamond. Think of buying a diamond as being equivalent to purchasing a new car. We are often informed that as soon as you drive your new vehicle off the lot, its value drops by 50%. A mined diamond will also retain a significant portion of its market value when you're ready to upgrade, unlike a lab-grown diamond, which would not. Investing in a natural diamond is the wiser choice for that reason alone.
The Fall of the Lab-Grown Diamond
Over the past ten years, the costs of producing lab-grown diamonds have decreased by over 90%. According to a 2018 study, a lab-grown diamond's production costs range from $300 to $500 for just one carat. This data was derived from a lab-grown, G color, VS polished diamond. Production costs have decreased steadily while prices have also decreased, showing no signs of slowing. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds do not have the same sustainability impact on our world. It takes away from the countries where naturally-mined diamonds are located. This can devastate a community and an area as a whole. It can influence their place in the world as far as trade.
The Impact of Size on Cost
As diamond size increases, the price differential between a naturally mined diamond and a lab-grown diamond grows. The rarity, brilliance, and uniqueness of a diamond are what determine its price when it is mined naturally. Naturally, the rarity of large carat weight diamonds makes them more valuable than tiny carat weight diamonds. Lab-grown diamond pricing operates very differently. As the size of the lab-created diamond increases, the cost of production per carat weight will decrease. This is because it must spend more time in a reactor chamber, which takes more time.
How Choosing Naturally-Mined Diamonds Benefits the World
The Natural Diamond Council aims to safeguard and educate consumers while advancing the integrity of the contemporary diamond jewelry industry. Your decision to purchase a natural diamond will have an effect on millions of people living in some of the most distant regions of the planet. Natural diamonds are not only an amazing accomplishment of nature, but they are also a valuable resource for the people and economies of the nations where they are discovered, increasing sustainability. When used in conjunction with fair trade agreements and life-changing social and environmental activities, diamonds can be a potent gift for the growth of a nation.
Healthcare Access
More than 4 million people now have healthcare access thanks to your naturally-mined diamond choice. For some of the world's most isolated and disadvantaged communities, natural diamonds help create a healthier future through innovative disease management programs and solar-powered clinics.
Access to Education
Across 500,000 kids in rural areas and children worldwide benefit from having access to school thanks to your natural diamond.
Think about three schools growing to 200. Imagine fostering aspiration and hope in the young brains of the future. The government of Botswana is able to provide free education to hundreds of thousands of kids each year because of contributions from natural diamonds.
Job Opportunities
Your naturally-mined diamond has helped our world receive 16 billion dollars in yearly benefits. This covers infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare, and biodiversity.
Selecting a natural diamond ring might also mean a better future for people in far-off parts of the world, meaning more than just a beautiful gift for a loved one. For instance, investing in indigenous communities, from preschool to seniors, results in local jobs and more excellent prospects in Canada's frigid Northwest Territories. Additionally, gender equality must be advanced by the inclusion and engagement of women in the diamond jewelry sector, especially at senior levels.
Preserves Wildlife
The natural diamond ring you picked for your engagement made it possible to preserve 200,000 hectares of land in southern Africa and the critically endangered rhinos, making natural-mined diamonds conflict-free. The Diamond Route in southern Africa is a network of eight conservation areas and nature reserves that serves as a model for the adequate protection of land and some of the most endangered species in the world. Additionally, it makes a beautiful honeymoon location. Conflict-free diamonds prevent the extinction of threatened species by preserving the lives of millions of wild creatures worldwide. Leading diamond producers have conserved almost 1,000 square kilometers of natural terrain. They have a mining area three times that size.
Final Thoughts
At the heart of all we do is act sustainably. We are dedicated to ensuring that the discovery of diamonds, which are located in some of the most distant regions in the world, leaves a positive legacy. Before humans, diamonds had been driven to the earth's surface by volcanic explosions and had lain there unaltered for millions of years. It is our responsibility to ensure that any negative effects on biodiversity are kept to a minimum and that everyone who lives or works in the area benefits from discovering these natural wonders.
The excellent effect is clear and verifiable. The sustainable natural diamond business has significantly impacted the lives of millions of people where it mines stones: It employs 10 million people globally, and the communities where the stones were mined keep 80% of the value created by natural diamond recovery. This equates to $6.8 billion yearly, benefiting neighborhood areas. The industry also safeguards and restores the environment, ensuring that after a mine closes, the site is regenerated and has a good impact on the neighborhood for future generations.
You are looking for a priceless, conflict-free diamond ring that you or your partner intends to wear for a long time and eventually pass down to the next generation. It's adorable, heartwarming, and a celebration of love! You need to be aware of its history, its place of origin, how it benefits the location found with its communities, its effects on the environment, and the area where it was found.
King of Jewelry has naturally-mined diamonds of many cuts and colors to choose from for your engagement and wedding ring. We can help you decide the size, setting, and whether to pair it with yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum band. You are creating a family legacy when you purchase a natural diamond ring. Additionally, you are making an impact on the world in a remarkably positive way. What an excellent way to create good vibes to begin your new life with your significant other, knowing you have chosen a sustainable, conflict-free natural diamond ring. That is truly priceless!