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Diamond enthusiasts have often gone head-to-head when it comes to purchasing lab-grown diamonds versus earth-mined natural stones.
While most people struggle to distinguish between gems, their reputation in general society is highly debated.
FEMAIL spoke to Australian experts Zena K’dor of natural diamond retailer House of K’dor and Rebecca Klodinsky, co-founder of lab-grown diamond jeweler The Prestwick Place.
And they have very different points of view.
Klodinsky said there was no excuse for using “bloody” terrestrial diamonds that “wreak havoc on the environment” because “we know that’s not the case” in the wake of the climate crisis.
But Mrs. K’dor says that “nothing can replace the real thing” and that “earth diamonds are important to people who care about more than appearances.”
Lab-grown diamonds in Australia are typically 70 per cent more affordable than mined diamonds, with celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber and Meghan Markle choosing the more cost-effective and sustainable route.
But some people reject them altogether: “If my boyfriend proposed to me with a lab diamond, I would reject him,” said one woman online in a thread about engagement rings. “It’s basically costume jewelry.”
Australian experts Zena K’dor, from natural diamond retailer House of K’dor, and Rebecca Klodinsky, co-founder of diamond jewelry laboratory The Prestwick Place, shared their opinions on diamonds.
What is the biggest difference between natural diamonds and laboratory diamonds?
K’dor claimed that the stones were “completely different products” due to their production method.
In the case of synthetic gems, a diamond seed is exposed to extreme heat of over 1,000°C and immense pressure, around 1.5 million pounds per square inch.
A seed is created by artificially mimicking the natural processes that create a diamond using a high-pressure, high-temperature environment before encasing it in pure carbon.
The carbon then melts and forms a diamond around the seed. Once it cools, the diamond will be fully formed.
Ms K’dor said: “Natural diamonds are made in the Earth’s crust over millions of years and develop unique characteristics such as inclusions, fluorescence and shapes.
‘Lab-grown ones are recreated on a large scale in a laboratory to mimic the composition and appearance of natural diamonds, using cubic press technology and machinery whose quality can vary greatly.
“There is only one machine that produces natural diamonds and that is Mother Nature, there is nothing that comes close.”
On the other hand, Ms Klodinsky had a more practical approach: ‘The main and only difference between the two is the price.
“Earth diamonds are priced almost 60 percent more than laboratory diamonds, which is due to extraction costs, mining techniques, river diversion and environmental disturbances.”
Lab-grown diamonds in Australia are typically 70 percent more affordable than mined diamonds
Ms K’dor said: “Natural diamonds are made in the Earth’s crust over millions of years and develop unique characteristics such as inclusions, fluorescence and shapes.”
Do experts prefer lab-grown diamonds or mined diamonds?
For Klodinsky, lab-grown diamonds are the future. She states that “there is no excuse.”
‘Now that technology makes everything more accessible and consumers are more informed than ever, people are living up to this reality.
‘Sustainability is now in the spotlight and there is no longer a need, or excuse, to buy an earthen diamond.
‘The impact of quarrying and mining is too bloody and damaging, and lab-grown diamonds offer a much better alternative. While historically powdered diamonds have been the bread and butter of many jewelers, in today’s society there is little need or need for them.’
Ms K’dor is fascinated by the ‘romantic story’ behind the creation of natural diamonds
But Mrs. K’dor couldn’t disagree more.
‘Personally, I am captivated by the romantic story that emerges from natural diamonds formed over billions of years in the lap of Mother Nature, so pure, so real, so rare, that nothing is more brilliant, beautiful or dazzling than a natural diamond.
‘When you look at a diamond through a loop, you get lost in its unique characteristics and its ability to reflect light; no two diamonds are alike.
‘At K’dor, we passionately believe in creating jewelry masterpieces with natural diamonds, as there is nothing more meaningful than giving or receiving. Often passed down from generation to generation as treasured family heirlooms, there is an authentic emotional connection through the energy of the diamond.’
What are the misconceptions about lab-grown diamonds?
Many people believe that lab-grown diamonds are easier to insure because they can be recreated, but that is not the truth.
“Just like a fingerprint, you can’t recreate a lab-grown diamond,” Ms. Klondinsky said.
“Laboratory diamonds are unique, just like ground diamonds; they are not recreable or insured like a ground diamond is.”
Natural diamonds are becoming increasingly controversial as consumers worry about ethical sourcing and harm to the environment during the mining process.
Are lab-grown diamonds as valuable in today’s market as natural diamonds?
When it comes to diamonds, especially engagement rings, people should focus on personal preference and not the resale value of the gem.
Ms. Klondinsky said that while both types of diamonds have equal value in today’s market, “neither should be considered a financial asset.”
However, Ms K’dor noted that mined diamonds are in limited supply which could further inflate their value.
“We have already seen a reduction in the supply of natural diamonds and, as a result, good quality natural diamonds are achieving premium prices with fewer options to choose from.”
Asking an expert: Would you wear a lab-grown diamond?
Ms. K’dor is committed to natural stones and her company was founded thanks to the “love of working with the best natural diamonds in the world.”
She said: ‘While there will always be a desire to influence consumer attitudes, I believe it all comes down to the individual value proposition.
‘If you are looking for a truly artisanal product and a true piece of luxury that will stand the test of time, then you will care about the quality and origin of what you are purchasing.
‘However, if you are only concerned with the external appearance of something, you may be attracted to products that imitate the real thing and are mass produced. There’s a reason natural diamonds have retained their place for millennia.’
Ms. K’dor is committed to natural stones and her company was founded thanks to the “love of working with the best natural diamonds in the world.”
Asking an expert: Would you wear a natural diamond?
Natural diamonds are becoming increasingly controversial as consumers worry about ethical sourcing and damage to the environment during the mining process.
“I would never wear a mined diamond,” Ms. Klondinsky said. ‘If you know better, you should do better. There is no longer a place on the table for dirty diamonds.
‘Laboratory diamonds are without a doubt the best option. They provide the same dazzling beauty as powdered diamonds without harming the environment or ethical issues.
‘Prominent people such as Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Meghan Markle have embraced lab-grown diamonds, indicating that luxury and sustainability can coexist.
“Their choice reflects a growing consensus: laboratory diamonds are the future of fine jewelry.”
Shoppers faced off against each other online, with thousands entering the debate.
“If I can’t have a natural diamond, I would choose a white sapphire or another gem,” said one. ‘
Just because something looks the same doesn’t mean it is. Lab diamonds are worth as much as glass.
“I worked hard for my money and I want something that has value, that’s why I buy natural products,” said another.
“Try selling a lab-grown diamond; people will pay you pennies.”
“People who buy natural diamonds have been brainwashed by an industry to be materialistic and overspend for no reason,” argued another.
‘Choosing natural diamonds means, without a doubt, having blood on your hands. “This is just my perspective and it would give me goosebumps,” one woman wrote.
