How Lab Grown Gemstones are Transforming Jewellery

You can heal the world with a ring. 

The story of jewellery begins in times old; where it served to differentiate the extraordinary folks from the ordinary; kings and queens and all the important men and women who adorn precious metals studded with the most gorgeous and eyecatching jewels. 

These legendary pieces (like the kohinoor), gathered from deep beneath the Earth- formed in highly pressured environments that we unearth through the painstakingly laborious process of mining. A process that is, subjectively, more harmful than rewarding. 

Which, as you can guess, doesn’t work with the environmentally conscious consumers of today who care deeply about their impact on the world and seek sustainable practices that can, over time, heal the world.

Enter Lab grown Gemstones: The evolving world of science brought to us a new way of getting these rocks extraordinaire. A boon to save us from the world ending issues we had been facing due to mining? How, you wonder? Let’s find out!

Lab Grown Gemstones: What are they?

One might think that since we do not get lab grown gemstones from a mine or after scouring the earth’s crust, that they are in fact not real. But that is far from the truth. “

Lab grown gemstones are nearly identical to those we get from deep within the earth. They are real gemstones created in a controlled environment (aka. Labs) using technologies that resemble the natural processes that take place within the earth. These gemstones are grown under precisely controlled conditions that match nature's blueprint, using processes such as High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). They are so identical that they possess the same chemical, physical and optical properties as their ‘natural’ counterparts. Both gemstones are so incredibly similar, that even an expert could probably not tell them apart. 

Lab grown Gemstones- Myths and Mysteries

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about lab grown gemstones: 

1. ‘They are not real.’
   False- they are literally the same gemstone- with the same chemical and physical properties. Some gemstones are often also certified by institutions that certify the natural thing as well.
   
   
2. ‘They are not natural.’
   Well, they are not FOUND naturally, since they are in fact made in laboratories. They do, however, share the same atomic structure and properties as the ones found naturally. So, ultimately, it depends on what you mean by natural- for us: They’re nature-inspired, human-nurtured.
   
   
3. ‘They look unnatural.’
   False- lab grown gemstones can look a bit too identical because they are made in carefully controlled settings. Manufacturers today, however, have figured out how to introduce the imperfections that make ‘natural’ gemstones so incredibly unique. It is, however, worth mentioning that most people look for clearer, brighter and consistent colours when purchasing a natural gemstone.
   
   
4. ‘They DO NOT last.’
   False- lab grown gems have the same physical properties and are thus as hard as their ‘natural’ counterparts. They are made to last generations. They might not have the resale value you desire- but it is entirely in tune with how much one spends on lab grown gemstones in the first place. There’s no ‘mining and materials’ cost involved with lab grown gems- a win win for everyone.
   
   
5. ‘They are only for budget buyers.’
   Now that is entirely untrue- lab grown gems are perfect for people who want stylish designs but don’t wish to invest in ‘real’ jewellery right then. It has gotten so popular that designers have been utilising lab grown gems in their more intricate designs as well. 

These have, hopefully, alleviated some of the concerns you may have had about lab grown gemstones. 

So Why Get Them?

Jewellery mined off the earth may be what people traditionally invest in but their weight and impact can no longer be ignored. 

• Environmental Impact:
  Mining is an intensive activity with a giant impact on the world- to mine one must clear forests and lands, leading to deforestation, ecological destruction and soil erosion. Mining sites leaves the earth scarred- which compared to how lab grown gemstones don’t cause such a large scale shift- is a big price to pay. 
• Carbon Footprint:
  The thing that all the big companies are striving to dramatically reduce; using lab grown diamonds can reduce one’s carbon footprint by 50-60% because they don’t need heavy machinery or explosives to produce. 
• Ethical and easy to trace:
  Mining has historically led to a lot of humanitarian issues- from the treatment of miners to the frequent accidents to them being exposed to harmful materials- you may or may not be familiar with the term ‘blood diamonds’. Lab grown gems have no such issues- they are made by experts in , you guessed it, labs.
• The 3 Cs:
  Lab grown gems have three things that people want in their jewellery- consistency, colour and clarity. Quite a catch- don’t you think?
• It’s literally trendy:
  Sustainability has become the cliff that all brands, not just the behemoths that dominate the fashion industry, are jumping off. We've witnessed a significant shift toward slow fashion, cruelty-free beauty, and now, sustainable jewellery. Lab-grown gemstones are at the center- they allow people to indulge in grandeur while maintaining their ethical standards. Sustainability is not a compromise; it is a luxury. 

When you select lab-grown, you are choosing:

• A lighter footprint.
• A clean conscience.
• A timeless glitter.
• A conversation starter.
• And a piece of jewelry that reflects your current ideals.

You're not just donning an accessory; you're carrying awareness.