Pierce Custom Jewelers
by Laura Breen Galante
Diamonds. There is no other symbol in the world as powerful when it comes to expressing feelings of love and devotion. As long as we can remember, diamonds are the standard – and the bigger, the better!
But there is an additional factor. No longer is it just about cut, color, clarity, and carat. There’s an additional choice: a mined diamond or a grown diamond. Technology has advanced quickly, necessitating a change in our dialogue. A few years ago, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation, but today a client needs to understand all the options available so that a well-informed decision can be made.
A mined diamond comes from the earth and is carbon that has been subjected to intense heat and pressure deep in the earth’s crust for billions of years. Geological events bring these deposits toward the surface, where they can be mined, cut, and polished. Mined diamonds come in extremely varying qualities, with the rare reaching gem quality that you would want proudly displayed in a fine piece of jewelry.
A grown diamond is also carbon that has been exposed to the right conditions to create a diamond. Without getting too technical, there are two processes used to grow a diamond: High Pressure High Temp (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both processes begin with a diamond seed crystal. HPHT introduces additional carbon, then, as the name suggests, high pressure and heat are introduced, mimicking the process used in the earth. CVD introduces gasses in a vacuum (usually methane), which is then ionized to break down the molecules. Once the carbon molecules are broken out, they begin to attach to the seed crystal. Each process takes weeks to months to produce a diamond, depending on the size.
They are both diamonds, so why the conversation?
Whether mined or grown, diamonds are made from carbon – period. Once produced, they both go through the exact same process to become the beautiful gems we cherish for a lifetime. Both come in a wide range of color, clarity, and carat weight, and both types must still be cut, polished, and graded to present a beautiful gem-quality stone. To the naked eye, mined and lab diamonds of equal grades are impossible to tell apart. When presented with a mined diamond or a grown diamond, even a professional must use specialized electronic equipment to confirm the diamond’s origin.
The feedback we have been getting from our clients is interesting. Those who prefer mined diamonds view them as a natural choice, and because of the rarity in nature of a gem-quality stone, they feel they have something unique. Those who prefer grown diamonds also feel they have something special and unique, but also feel grown diamonds are more environmentally friendly and responsible because the origin can be tracked absolutely.
With all this information, you may be asking yourself, “So what is the biggest differentiator?” As usual, it’s price. There are many variables when choosing a diamond (and it can be quite the harrowing process!). In the current market, we are seeing that a mined diamond can cost more than four times that of a grown diamond. What does this mean for you when making your decision? At purchase, you can obtain a substantially larger grown diamond for the same price as a mined diamond.
So, now what?
“Currently, we are seeing greater interest in grown diamonds for use as center stones in engagement rings and for diamond stud earrings,” says owner Melissa Pierce.
Pierce Custom Jewelers carries a variety of mined and grown diamonds from which our clients can choose. All of the diamonds we sell are GIA or IGI certified and laser-inscribed so there is full disclosure and no misunderstanding.
“Our reputation is priceless,” says Melissa, “so we make sure that everyone is on the same page.”
Jewelry is not only about quality and design, it is about the memory being created. Finding just the right piece can be daunting, but we are here to help. Every member of our team has attended the Gemological Institute of America. Our owners are a GIA Graduate Jeweler and a GIA Graduate Gemologist, respectively. Stop in and let us show you just how much fun the process can – and should – be!