The diamond, of course, is the most valuable gemstone in nature. It also has the most hardness, shine, gleam, and is the benchmark against which all other stones are measured. When compared to all the other gemstones, diamonds cost more and they are very difficult to obtain. For several decades, people are looking for something that has the brilliance of a natural diamond and is available at a cheaper price. Fortunately, both science and nature have provided some appealing solutions.
Science provided us with lab-grown diamonds, which are essential diamonds that are created in a lab instead of nature. One of nature’s solutions is white sapphire. While it resembles a diamond in look, its chemical makeup is quite different. Both lab-grown diamonds and white sapphires have emerged as less expensive and more accessible substitutes to actual diamonds.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Both natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are created in the same way. A diamond seed is exposed to high pressure and high temperature. When natural diamonds are created over billions of years, the lab-grown diamonds can be created within a few weeks.
For making a lab-grown diamond, the conditions necessary for the creation of natural diamonds are recreated in a laboratory using specialized equipment. The fascinating thing is that a lab-grown diamond is exactly similar to mined diamond in every way. You won’t be able to tell the difference between them with naked eyes. That is why lab-grown diamonds are the perfect alternative to natural diamonds.
What Are White Sapphires?
Sapphires were widely used in ancient civilizations and they were popularly used in engagement rings. Sapphires require millions of years to form and are created from a mineral called corundum that takes on the color of its surroundings as it grows.
Sapphires are most commonly found in igneous rock with a high aluminum content and low silica content. Trace minerals can be absorbed into the sapphire crystal lattice, changing the hue of the stones. The sapphire will be fully pure or white if no trace minerals slip in.
Difference Between White Sapphire And Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are generated under the same circumstances that natural diamonds are grown, employing the most recent breakthroughs in advanced technology. Chemically and physically, they are identical to genuine diamonds. White sapphires, on the other hand, have a very different chemical composition than real diamonds, which means they have quite different physical and optical properties.
If you are looking for a cheaper engagement ring, you can go for white sapphire or a lab-grown diamond engagement ring.