December is the most popular month for an engagement with a proposal rate of 19% and it is coming sooner than we’d like to think.
That means it is time to find the perfect engagement ring, and finding your perfect ring is only possible when you truly know what you are looking for in a diamond.
The first step is understanding the difference of choices: lab grown vs natural diamonds.
Why is this a hot topic right now?
“Consumers want an alternative that offers bigger stones for less money,” says Forbes writer.
The market for lab grown diamonds jumped from 15% to 20% in 2019 and has continued climbing since. “That increase is credited to the ‘widening price differential [between] lab-grown diamonds versus natural ones and campaigns that leveraged the ‘green’ benefits of manufactured stones.’”
With such an increase recently, even jewelry designers and retailers are essentially being forced to adapt and accept the use and sale of lab-grown diamonds, whether to continue competing for market share or simply sell what the customer is looking for.
This rising need for affordability is what makes Queen of Pawns an excellent option when searching for your engagement ring.
What are lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds, or man made diamonds, are grown in a laboratory using advanced technology that essentially replicate the natural conditions that a true diamond would face.
However, being that they are not actually created and taken from Earth, they do not hold the same value as natural diamonds. In this case, we are comparing natural elements of the Earth to technology. Only one is “real” and will hold its value indefinitely.
What are the differences between lab grown vs. natural diamonds?
Origin
As we mentioned above, lab grown diamonds are grown in a laboratory, whereas natural diamonds are made from the Earth.
When lab grown diamonds are recreated using high pressure and high temperature, or HTHP, and can also be recreated by chemical vapor deposition, or CVD, which involves breaking down the molecules of carbon-rich gas.
However, it is understood that the origin of lab grown diamonds will cause demand and quality to lessen over time, while natural diamond demand and quality will remain the same, if not increase exponentially.
Physical appearance
While you and I cannot spot the differences with a naked eye, technology most definitely can. At Queen of Pawns, we are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which includes a screening device called a GIA iD100, to distinguish natural diamonds from lab grown. This allows us to not only take in high quality, real diamonds (we do accept lab grown), but also give our customers the best jewelry options we possibly can.
Pricing
Currently, natural diamonds are more expensive, as they are in rare, natural form. However, if a natural diamond is what you are looking for, affordability is still possible.
At Queen of Pawns, we pride ourselves on only offering natural diamonds and for the right price.
Our layaway diamond engagement rings are a great option. We give our customers the option to make an easy 10% down payment based on the item’s price and then pay for the jewelry later. We’ll hold it for you for 90 days and once it’s been paid in full, the ring is yours and you can take it home.
