That means you'll get the exact same sparkle and durability as a mined diamond - but without the environmental or social impacts of mining. Lab-grown diamonds have the exact same molecular composition and optical properties as a mined diamond. These diamonds are grown in laboratories that recreate the same environment that causes diamonds to form in the earth. Though we've made great strides toward ethical diamond mining, the industry is still fraught with many issues.

They are also mined from the earth, which some clients may prefer to avoid. The downside? - mined diamonds are pricey, especially high quality ones. That translates into high-end clarity, and colorless to near-colorless diamonds. For my clear/white diamonds, I typically stay in the VS - SI clarity range, and D - H color range. As I like to say, a diamond can even sparkle in a dark room.ĭiamonds come in a range of qualities, which means there are a range of clarity and color grades.

A clean stone will be even more blinding, but a dirty diamond will still sparkle. Even with that gunk, diamonds are so good at creating sparkle, they don't need a clean background. will cause gunk buildup behind your stone. The reality, however, is that soap scum buildup, water residue, lotions, etc. In a perfect world, your rings would be clean all the time and you'd remember to remove them every time you wash your hands. Because of their amazing ability to reflect light back up to our eyes, it means they'll sparkle even when dirty. Diamonds also have wonderful fire and brilliance, producing that sparkle we all know and love from diamonds. (If you're not familiar with the scale, take a peek at my blog post on the Moh's and stone durability.) Hardness is an important feature for an everyday ring meant to be worn for years.

This post will have some facts, some photos, and some personal opinions - because, what's the fun if I can't infuse a little personal opinion? Diamond:ĭiamonds are the hardest mineral on earth, ranking at a 10 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness. It can be easy to see a clear gem, and assume it'll have the same properties as diamond (the stone you're likely most familiar with), but it's nice to know some key differences between diamonds (mined and lab-grown), moissanite, and white sapphires, before deciding which stone is right for you. All are clear stones, and the attributes of each can be very similar in some cases, or pretty darn different in others. What's the difference between diamond, lab-grown diamond, moisssanite, and white sapphire?Įach of these gemstones is an entirely different mineral, with its own chemical makeup and inherent properties.

1 carat white sapphire