Can lab-grown diamonds redefine glamour without breaking the bank?

With jewellery trends changing rapidly, you are always spoilt for choice. This is especially true for diamonds, even more if they come for half the price. You can get your hands on these beautiful possessions without breaking the bank with lab-grown diamonds that have taken the diamond industry by storm. Of course, both the type of diamonds catering to different audiences and have their legitimate place among consumers. Brides Today gives you a lowdown on the pros and cons of investing in lab-grown diamonds, and how you can include these stylish stones in your travel essentials.

Archana Thani, jewellery consultant and curator, forecasts that lab-grown diamonds will eventually find their place amid fashion jewellery and fast fashion as they are mass-produced items. Thus, they also have a diminishing value. On the other hand, she expresses, "Natural diamonds are rare, finite wonders of nature, giving them an added emotional value. The crashing prices of lab-grown diamonds and the fact that fashion brands like Pandora or mass retail brands like Walmart have started stocking them speaks volumes about the future of this category."

As lab-grown diamonds redefine trends, their role in the market becomes increasingly more distinct than natural diamonds. Vaibhav Karnavat, founder and CEO of Mumbai-based House of Quadri, says that with a reduced cost of mining, lab-grown diamonds seem to be a viable choice, an affordable way of redefining opulence. Seems like all that glitter can, after all, be gold. 

Furthermore, Ashth-Mine. NotMined, presented by Mukesh Shah, expresses that lab-grown diamonds have turned out to be a rather appealing option for those who value affordability. These pocket-friendly diamonds enable customers to build a versatile jewellery collection. Due to their affordability and easier production, clients now have a multitude of options for designs. It's a steal deal for people who always aspire to procure diamond jewellery, especially for consumers seeking an ideal balance of contemporary sophistication and ethical elegance for special occasions. 

Gemologist and author Richa Goyal Sikri emphasises the allure of synthetic diamonds as an appealing alternative to costume jewellery. She emphasises, however, "We must not let the white noise of marketing or the artificially constructed veneer of morality confuse us into believing that anything that is factory-produced could replace something naturally made by Mother Nature."

When enjoying lab-grown gems, it's recommended to build a collection, but it's important to note that they are not actual investments. Parag Agrawal, Co-Founder and CEO of Fiona Diamonds in Mumbai suggests that one should collect lab-grown gems without intending to invest, as they may not have similar high resale value as natural gems. Some argue that lab-grown gems lack traditional value because they are not mined, but they also have the advantage of being as durable as natural gems.

Deepika Gehani, Co-Founder of Simsum Fine Jewelry and a luxury brand strategist, acknowledges that while "diamonds are forever," the rise of lab-grown diamonds has caused some confusion. She suggests considering lab-grown diamonds only if you're aiming for a large solitaire. "The price difference between natural and lab-grown solitaires is significant enough to make it worth fulfilling your dream of owning a large diamond," she advises. "However, it's important to remember that lab-grown diamonds should not be viewed as an investment. Think of them like a beautiful handbag—enjoy it for what it is."

Inputs By: Tanisha Sharma 

Lead image credit: House of Quadri

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