For most diamond-loving gemologists, including those of us here at David Craig Jewelers, synthetic diamonds, those diamond look-alikes being “grown” in laboratories these days, don’t hold a candle to the allure of natural diamonds that come from the earth. We believe there’s simply no substitute for natural diamonds and don’t intend to stock lab-grown versions. Here’s why:

1.Natural Diamonds are Unique
Natural diamonds are some of nature’s most interesting miracles. They’re honed from carbon atoms that have crystalized and formed from just the right pressure under intense heat conditions. A true diamond takes billions of years to form – not just millions – BILLIONS of years! Ancient cultures were said to think diamonds had healing qualities, that the stones could protect the wearer from danger, that they represented courage and other positive attributes. Today, these virtually indestructible stones still represent something extraordinarily special –
the union of two individuals making a great emotional commitment. Natural diamonds symbolize a connection and a promise to be there for each other no matter what, that the relationship will, like this permanent stone, face the enduring test of time.

2.Yes, We’ve Considered Environmental Impact
Claims of the “eco-friendliness” and “sustainability” of synthetic diamonds aren’t all that accurate. Synthetic diamonds are created by machines requiring constant energy. In fact, some reports show that the carbon emission per carat of lab-created diamonds is nearly 40% higher than for natural polished diamonds.

Economies of many poorer countries depend on the diamond mining business to sustain their fragile ecosystems. It is estimated that nearly 10 million people rely on the diamond industry for work. As far as our research shows us, most of today’s diamond miners help conserve land and protect biodiversity.

We acknowledge an unfortunate past history of some dangerous or even cruel mining conditions and/or human rights violations in the diamond industry. And we understand that shoppers want to be sure they are not supporting practices that involve substandard working and safety conditions.

We firmly believe that today’s diamond industry is different, with nearly 100% of today’s natural diamonds certified conflict-free. Ethically mined diamonds from companies like Forevermark produce responsibly soured diamonds. They state that “care has been taken to ensure responsible business practices, to support the advancement of women and to protect the habitats and species of the natural world.”

3.Lab-Grown Stones are Just a Trend
Some fashion trends come and ago. Remember mood rings? How about skeleton-printed scarves? We saw lab-created emeralds come and go in popularity and think synthetic diamonds will fare similarly.

When cubic zirconia first came into the market in the 1970s as fashion jewelry, these simulated diamonds became very popular. These stones clearly weren’t natural diamonds, but they sparkled and looked pretty. But even though these stones resembled diamonds, few people considered using them for engagement rings. Within a decade, companies like Swarovski ensured a flooded market with mass production of inexpensive cubic zirconia, confirming that although these man-made stones make for attractive, fun jewelry, they’re not valuable. And they’re certainly not significant enough to represent the union of two souls in marriage.

4.The Re-sale Value of Lab Diamonds is, Well, Nothing
A natural “diamond is forever.” O.K., so the phrase is from a very successful post-WWII marketing campaign. But it really makes sense. Should you try to sell a synthetic diamond, you’d quickly discover that there is no secondary market.

If you purchased a synthetic diamond two years ago, you’d know that you can buy the same stone for a fraction of the cost today. More and more of these lab-created stones are being produced, much in the same way Swarovski produced tons of cubic zirconia.

How will you feel in a few years if you see a similar ring offered at a fraction of the price you paid? While your natural diamond retains value, a lab-grown diamond’s resale value is basically nonexistent. As the cost of producing lab-grown diamonds continues to decline, so does the value. The $800 synthetic diamond of today could be selling for $300 in a few months. And less in a year.

5.Natural Stones: The Better Investment
Burdened by debt, or challenged by the economy, young shoppers might be contemplating purchasing one of these synthetic stones to save money. But we know you’ll regret this decision. Lab-grown stones are, as stated above, not worth anything if you try to re-sell them. If cost is the stumbling block when it comes to purchasing a natural diamond, why not make your commitment with a smaller natural diamond today, one you can clearly afford, then consider upgrading to a larger stone down the road? You can even enhance the ring at a later stage in life for a special anniversary gift.

The appeal of synthetic or “lab grown” diamonds is understandable for many. But thinking of these man-made creations as replacements for diamonds mined from the earth isn’t for us, and we don’t think it should be for you. Just because the FTC says that retailers can call synthetic diamonds “diamonds” doesn’t mean they really are. They are MAN-MADE. As far as we’re concerned, there’s simply nothing that compares to the allure and longevity of a natural diamond.