The shift in consumer purchasing preferences toward ethical luxury consumption has prompted the rising popularity of lab grown diamonds among jewelry makers and wearers around the globe. These lab-created gemstones are not only visually indistinguishable from mined diamonds, but also possess the same chemical structure as their earth-mined counterparts. This offers greater value especially to conscientious consumers as they can now purchase and own a bona fide piece of diamond jewelry guilt-free and at a reasonable price.
The US Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ruling in 2018 to expand the definition of diamonds in its Jewelry Guides was an acknowledgement of the scientific fact that diamonds, whether mined or lab grown, are diamonds. This specific amendment in the Guides (formally known as the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries) permits above ground diamond manufacturers and marketers “to describe a laboratory-created stone as ‘cultured’ if it has the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as a mined stone” (FTC, 2019), provided they put a clear and conspicuous disclosure of the diamond’s origin in the fine print.
Diamonds remain to be one of the most sought-after luxury rocks in the world particularly in the bridal and engagement jewelry market. The increasing availability of gem-quality diamonds that are laboratory grown equates to a significant increase in buying options for consumers who have particular sizes of diamond in mind, but with set budgets; while for couples shopping for diamond wedding rings, purchasing a bigger diamond for the same budget or at a lower price point is now a possibility.
Given that it is hard to tell apart a lab grown from a mined rock even for a diamond grading expert, it is important that the buying public is made aware of this fact in a transparent manner — especially since there is often a significant price difference between diamonds grown in labs and those mined from the earth. Great news for consumers, as well as for manufacturers and retail brands, is that the jewelry industry as a whole has gone to great lengths to ensure that these man-made gemstones are responsibly disclosed to be lab-grown. Aside from the FTC’s revised Jewelry Guides that are meant to protect consumers and promote healthy competition, independent and unbiased gemological laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have developed sophisticated tools to distinguish between the two types of diamonds. Both earth-mined and lab grown rocks undergo a meticulous grading process based on the 4C's of Diamonds: Color, Clarity, Cut, and the Carat weight; so whatever diamond you choose to purchase from a reputable dealer or brand, you can be confident to get great value for your money without compromising on beauty and quality.
At Meycauayan Jewelries we offer both top-quality lab grown and certified conflict-free mined diamonds; and provide honest and up-front descriptions of every piece of jewelry we offer in our collection of luxurious engagement and wedding rings.
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With four decades of experience in jewelry making and design, Meycauayan Jewelries is your expert partner in crafting heirloom quality engagement rings and wedding rings adorned with elegant diamonds that boast of added ethical value.
