Many wonder, what are lab-grown diamonds, and do they have any resale value? In the search for more ethically produced diamonds, companies are moving to lab-created diamonds. These diamonds are 100% real, and although they are man-made, they have all the properties of a naturally found diamond. Lab-created diamonds are not fake, nor are they cubic zirconia. These diamonds are more ethical, eco-friendly, and safer than mined ones.
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?
These diamonds are “grown” inside a lab under the conditions of a regular, mined diamond. The technology replicates the natural diamond growing process.
Natural diamonds are formed when carbon dioxide meets extreme heat and pressure. The Carbon Dioxide is heated to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and pressurized with 727,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
Labs use High Pressure-High temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) systems to mimic natural growth. HPHT sees temperatures of 1500 degrees Celsius and 1.5 million pounds per square inch of pressure to create the diamond seed.
CVD diamonds use HPHT-created seeds, placed in a sealed chamber, and heated to 800 degrees Celsius. The chamber is filled with methane and other gasses and is ionized slowly until the diamond seed crystallizes.
Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Have Resale Value?
While many jewelers are quick to tell their customers that these diamonds are worthless and cannot be resold, that is not the truth. Many lab-grown diamonds are of equal quality or higher quality than mined diamonds. All diamond purchasers need to make a profit, so they will negotiate the best price.
Just like with mined diamonds, they will use the 4Cs to determine the best price for your diamond. All Diamonds are priced wholesale and retail based on the Rapaport system, one that is similar to an “MSRP.”
So, whether your local jeweler is buying lab-grown diamonds or not, doesn’t mean there isn’t value in them. You can absolutely resell your lab-grown diamonds and they will have value; it all depends on the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Lab-grown diamonds are not readily available and are not flooding the market.
They make up a small portion of the market and are only available in limited quantities. You can find these diamonds in larger sizes and fancy shapes.
The short answer is, yes, lab-grown diamonds do have resale value but it is not as great as natural diamonds.
Conclusion
It is important to note that investing your money in diamonds is not a smart investment option. Diamonds have historically not been a good place to leave money, buying them now and thinking the price will increase in the future. You should purchase your diamonds as a gift of love or a family heirloom to be passed down for generations. If you do plan on selling your diamond, research your options and see who will offer the best price for your diamond.
Here at Mervis Diamond Importers, we specialize in buying and selling diamonds, whether they are natural or lab-grown.