Our diamonds
Lady + Larsen’s mission is to create timeless heirlooms that are 100% sustainably-made. What’s our secret? Three words: Lab grown diamonds. Thanks to advances in modern technology, we are able to source ethical diamonds that don’t harm the planet. Let’s take a closer look.
-
Absolutely! A diamond that is created in a lab is just as real as a mined diamond. It has the same physical and chemical properties, and is grown under the same temperature and pressure conditions. In fact, lab-created diamonds are often better quality due to the highly-controlled environment and closely-monitored process.
-
With the wonders of science! An advanced technological technique - either extreme pressure and/or heat - mimics the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop when they form in the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. These lab-created diamonds are made of carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure - aka the same material as traditional diamonds.
-
How long have you got? Lab grown diamonds are:
*Brighter quality, higher purity, and with fewer defects
*More affordable
*Better for the planet, as they are grown through sustainable methods
*Better for workers; their trackable origin source allows us to choose diamonds from reputable places that don't engage in poor treatment of workers or communities
-
Not unless you have specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth (in other words, no).
-
Because lab grown diamonds are tested in exactly the same way as mined diamonds. They are sent to an independent gem lab to be certified by an expert, who uses the same process for grading lab grown diamonds as traditional, mined diamonds (cut, clarity, carat, and color). Each diamond is examined carefully and assigned a quality rating.
The impact of lab grown vs mined diamonds
Environmental
Impact
Inconsistent Quality
Unethical Roots
Ethical Choice
Consistent Quality
Value
VS
What to look for in a diamond
The more you know, the easier it will be to uncover your dream diamond. So, allow us to introduce you to the 4Cs, aka the international standard of measuring a diamond’s value and beauty. The 4Cs are: cut, color, clarity and carat. Here’s what you need to know…
Diamond Cut
Don’t confuse this with shape. The cut refers to the diamond’s facets (the flat surfacesinside a diamond that are arranged in a geometric pattern), and how the light enters and exitsthe diamond. This impacts how much a diamond sparkles and shines. There are five diamond cut grades ranging from Excellent to Poor.
Diamond Color
When we talk about color, we actually mean the absence of color. The more colorless the diamond, the higher its value. The color scale runs from D (the highest quality) to Z. D-J are considered colorless or near colorless.
Diamond Clarity
This is all about visual purity, aka how many blemishes exist within the diamond. Even though imperfections are usually invisible to the naked eye, clarity impacts the overall brilliance of a diamond. ‘Flawless’ is the highest and rarest grade.
Diamond Carat
The most commonly-known ‘C’ is carat, the unit of weight used to measure the size of a diamond. While a higher carat means the diamond is rarer and more expensive, bigger isn’t always better. The diamond’s size (height, width and depth) and shape are also important.
Lab-Grown Gemstones
Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are three of the most popular and valuable colored gemstones. Each gemstone has its own unique characteristics and appeal, making them popular choices for jewelry and investment. The quality of lab-grown gemstones can be more consistent since they are produced under controlled conditions. They can be created to possess desirable characteristics such as intense color, high clarity, and minimal inclusions, making them visually similar to the finest natural gemstones.
Rubies
Rubies are prized for their rich red color, ranging from pinkish-red to purplish-red. The most valuable rubies have a vibrant, saturated hue with medium to medium-dark tones. Rubies are composed of corundum, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide with trace amounts of chromium responsible for their red coloration
Emeralds
Emeralds are known for their intense green color, which can vary from bluish-green to yellowish-green. The most desirable emeralds exhibit a deep, vivid green hue with high clarity. Emeralds belong to the beryl family and are primarily composed of beryllium aluminum silicate with trace amounts of chromium, vanadium, or iron, which give them their green color.
Sapphires
Sapphires: Sapphires come in a wide range of colors, with blue sapphires being the most popular. However, they can also occur in other colors, including pink, yellow, purple, and orange. The most valuable blue sapphires have a rich, deep blue color with excellent clarity and saturation.Sapphires are also a variety of corundum, but they come in various colors except red. Trace elements such as iron and titanium determine the color of sapphires.