When it comes to diamonds, rareness and extravagant price tags have always been a selling point, but as technology takes over from nature, is the ultimate gemstone undergoing a makeover for the modern day?

They say a Diamond, the birthstone of April is a piece of coal that did well under pressure, but what kind of pressure, and in what kind of conditions, lie at the centre of a debate that has divided the sparkling world of fine jewellery.

Technology has made great strides over the past few years and the industry has seen a boom in lab-grown Diamonds.  These gemstones are chemically and aesthetically identical to those found at the bottom of the Earth, yet can be produced in a matter of months as opposed to hundreds of years.  With a more ethically conscious generation now investing in Diamonds, many argue that this method is more environmentally friendly and sustainable.  Lab made gemstones are nothing new; with Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds being produced in a laboratory since the 19th century.  What has eluded scientists up until recently is creating a decent-sized lab-grown Diamond (because the bigger the better, right?!).

So how do you ‘grow’ Diamonds exactly?  There are two ways to do it. The first involves simulating the force of nature by applying high temperature and high pressure in a microwave chamber, which transforms the carbon into a lab-grown Diamond.

The second is similar to 3D printing, where pieces of Carbon are layered onto a Diamond seed in a vacuum chamber.  Both processes require an enormous amount of energy but are still enticing many buyers because it means bigger Diamonds at lower prices, and are still seen to be more of a guilt-free investment.  The technology is now so developed that experts need a machine to distinguish between lab-grown and mined Diamonds.

The biggest jewellery houses are divided.  Andy Hart, the Senior Vice President of Diamond and Jewellery Supply states, “Our position is lab-grown diamonds are not a luxury material. We don’t see a role for them in a luxury brand. They have their use and they have their place, but I think luxury consumers will continue to desire the rarity and amazing story of natural diamonds.”   We can’t help but disagree and feel a diamond is a diamond, no matter of its origin and therefore still a luxury gemstone fit for a queen.

On the opposite side to Andy Hart is De Beers, who coined the phrase ‘a Diamond is forever’ and introduced Lightbox last May, a new range of lab-grown Diamonds set to produce 500,000 carats a year by 2020.

At Roseanna Croft we know that our clients are discerning and rightly expect the highest quality.  We feel that lab-grown Diamonds give our clients not only the finest gemstones they deserve but also allows them to get more for their money.

Our new ‘Love, Me’ campaign launching this month uses a single pear shaped lab-grown Diamond set in Sterling Silver, 9ct or 18ct White, Yellow or Rose Gold.  It is a movement in a single ring, designed to empower us to buy our own jewellery, invest in ourselves and choose ourselves first.

We are proud to now be working with award winning lab-grown diamond suppliers to offer you the very best and an environmentally friendly alternative to mined diamonds.

We’d love to work with you to source you or create you the perfect diamond. Please use the contact form below to enquire and one of our diamond specialists will be in touch to answer all of your questions.

Warm wishes,

Roseanna & Co x