Lab Grown Diamonds in Platinum Settings: Worth It?
If you took a tour through the jewelry stores looking for the ideal piece, you might have noticed that diamonds created in the lab are getting more attractive. When you add platinum, it becomes a partnership that raises up to sublime luxury. But is the high price tag still justified? Let's examine this in a straightforward way.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Diamonds grown in labs are genuine diamonds that are produced in well-regulated laboratory conditions rather than taken from places deep down in the earth's surface. They have the same chemical composition, brilliance, and resistance as real diamonds. The only difference? The former are grown in weeks while the latter took millions of years of underground development.
An analogy would be ice: no matter if it is formed on a lake naturally or in your freezer, etc., it is still ice. The same story goes for the lab-grown diamonds-they are real diamonds but with a different place of origin.
Why Platinum for Settings?
Platinum is the topmost of the metals used in the manufacture of jewelry in this regard. It is extremely strong, is white by nature, and will not tarnish or deform due to time. Platinum does not need a constant replating like white gold does but rather keeps its appearance for several decades.
This metal is also a skin-friendly type, hence suitable for people who have allergies to metals or other materials. Its weight gives it an edge in securely accommodating stones which is exactly what you would desire for a pricey diamond.
The Cost Factor
Things are getting very fascinating here. Lab diamonds usually sell for only 20-40% of the price of mined diamonds with the same quality. Such a huge difference in the price!
Platinum, on the other hand, is always the most expensive, no matter what diamond you pair with it. Its price is also higher than gold because of its rarity and density. So, on the one hand, you will save a lot on the diamond, but on the other hand, the setting will still require a significant amount of money.
To put it differently, the metal that comes with the diamond is one of the finest and at a very low price-the diamond is high-quality. No doubt, this combination represents great worth.
Durability and Longevity
Both lab-grown diamonds and platinum are very durable and long-lasting. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance and they get a perfect score of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Platinum has a superb resistance to wear and tear.
The combination of these two materials will produce jewelry that can be inherited age after age. You will not not worry about the metal getting worse or the diamond losing its shine.
The Resale Reality
Let's be honest: lab grown diamonds don't hold resale value like natural diamonds do. The market for reselling lab diamonds is still developing, and you likely won't recoup much of your investment if you sell later.
Natural diamonds also depreciate, but they tend to retain more value. If resale potential matters to you, this is something to consider carefully.
However, if you're buying jewelry to wear and enjoy rather than as an investment, this becomes less important.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
The environmental footprint of lab-grown diamonds is considerably smaller than that of mining operations. There are no intensive earth excavations or community displacements involved.
The issues regarding the morality of mining diamonds-also known as "blood diamonds"-do not apply to diamonds produced in labs. You can be sure of the origin of your diamond that way.
Platinum mining does have environmental impacts; however, the metal is often reused in jewelry making, which lessens the impact of mining.
Appearance: Can You Tell the Difference?
Even with specialized equipment, it is hard for even jewelers to tell lab grown diamonds apart from the natural ones. They are indistinguishable even to ordinary people.
The qualities of sparkle, fire, and brilliance are the same. Unless you tell them, your friends will not know. A platinum setting contributes to the combination looking both stunning and luxurious.
Who Should Consider This Combination?
Lab grown diamonds in platinum settings make sense if you:
Want maximum diamond size for your budget
Care about environmental and ethical sourcing
Plan to keep and wear the jewelry long-term
Appreciate quality craftsmanship and materials
Don't prioritize resale value
This isn't the best choice if you view diamonds primarily as financial investments or if you strongly prefer the traditional appeal of natural diamonds.
The Verdict
Is a lab-grown diamond in a platinum setting worth it? Well, for most people, the answer is definitely yes.
You are still getting a real diamond that is equal in beauty and durability to mined stones at a significantly lower price. The durability of platinum is an added advantage of this luxurious setting. The marriage of quality and value is brilliant.
Mainly, the only negative aspect is the limited resale value, which is irrelevant if you are not intending to sell the piece down the line.
If you are buying jewelry for an occasion, for self-expression, or to memorialize important events, then lab-grown diamonds in platinum settings are the perfect choice-intelligent and beautiful ones. You get more diamond for less money.