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At Marlow’s, we’re recognised as the UK’s Diamond experts. For over three generations, we’ve been sourcing some of the most treasured diamonds for our clients. Whether they’ve been gifted as loose diamonds or set within one of our stunning diamond engagement rings and proposed with, the way we source diamonds is evolving.
Investing in lab-grown diamonds poses many benefits compared to real diamonds, as well as offering a responsible method of sourcing. Let us explain the importance of growing diamonds in the 21st century, and how something that sparkles so similar to a real diamond is actually so different!
We’re about to get technical so stay with us!
Lab-grown, cultured, engineered, and man-made diamonds are all ways to describe diamonds created under high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) in labs found mainly in the USA and China.
The process of creating a diamond out of a diamond seed takes around a week. And these engineered diamonds have the same beauty and characteristics of natural earth mined diamonds - that take millions of years to form.
Lab diamonds aren’t to be confused with cubic zirconia or moissanite. In comparison, they do not display “real” diamond characteristics, such as the weight and the white sparkle that is reflected.
Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are an exact replication of natural diamonds and are being manufactured then resold by most “online” diamond suppliers. These suppliers act as “brokers” between the trade and you the customer, without having to invest in the diamonds themselves.
At Marlow’s, we believe in stockholding and investing in what we sell. This is why we now stock a limited range of stunning lab-grown diamonds at our stores, starting from a £500 half-carat diamond to a £15000 3 carat lab-grown diamond with top specifications. Each diamond comes with IGI reports and is tested (laser inscribed) for your peace of mind. Along with expert knowledge and customer care, we offer the cheapest lab-grown diamonds in the UK.
Generally, most websites will deem these diamonds as being ethical, environmentally friendly, and identical to natural diamonds! This isn’t completely true.
The lab-grown diamonds still have to be cut and polished by a human, and we can’t just discard the human element in all of this. So, while we advocate lab-grown diamonds, we’ll always pride ourselves on the workforce involved in cutting our stunning range of diamonds.
Also, all-natural earth mined diamonds have to be ethically sourced by statute under observance of the Kimberley Process; therefore all-natural diamonds are also classed as responsibly sourced diamonds - at least at Marlow’s Diamonds they are.
Currently, the GIA lab (the institute who grade diamonds) is debating issuing reports for this substitute to earth-mined diamonds. The IGI, HRD and GCAL already issue reports for lab-grown diamonds. We restrict our supply to IGI certified lab-grown diamonds as we have more confidence with their reports.
Since the industry leader De Beers took a serious interest in lab-grown diamonds as an alternative, demand for these more ethical stones has continued to increase.
At Marlow’s Diamonds, we’re here to help and are currently offering a bespoke supply service on all qualities, shapes and sizes of ethically produced lab-grown diamonds. Prices for lab-grown diamonds could be half as cheap as natural earth mined diamonds which is another main reason for the buzz around lab-engineered diamonds.
For example, when you search for a 1ct G VS1 natural diamond on our live diamond search, prices are approximately £5200 for a top-quality triple excellent stone, the same lab-grown diamond tends to cost around £2500.
In addition to white diamonds from D-L colours and VVS to SI clarities in all shapes and sizes, we also have some pink lab-grown diamonds in stock. For more information and advice, you can contact an experienced member of staff for assistance at any of our stores via WhatsApp, email or phone. Alternatively, you can call our lab-grown diamond experts in London on 0207 4051 477 for useful guidance and advice on how to purchase a lab-grown diamond.
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Excavation |
Tons of soil dispersed while mining for diamonds |
No soil movement when grown in a lab |
Carbon Emissions |
Very High level of air pollution |
Very low level of air pollution |
Water Usage |
1000s of litres of water used for every sqmt mined |
Minimal use of water |
Process of Making |
Millions of years lying deep (mostly) underground |
It takes 5-7 days to grow an average size lab-grown diamond |
Human Risk |
Very high level of risk while mining, around 10000 die every year |
Low level of risk, zero deaths recorded so far |
Comparison |
Naturally formed ice over ice-capped mountains over centuries. |
Ice formed in a freezer. |
Value (Click Here) | Historically, values stable over 30 plus years | Relatively new, historical values unknown but as technology improves, possible downturn |
Some of the most common Lab-grown diamonds Q&A's
Consider ice for a moment. It can form over a pond or in your freezer. But no matter where the water freezes, it is always ice and contains the same chemical properties. The difference is the origin.
Like freezer-formed ice and naturally-occurring ice, lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as mined diamonds. The only difference is the actual place that the diamonds are formed.
Lab-grown diamonds are man-made diamonds that are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. Both have the same chemical composition and atomic structure, producing the very same durability, fire, and sparkle. Laboratory grown diamonds are a true testament to the use of technology and human achievement.
Lab-grown diamonds are made using a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process or a High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method that causes carbon atoms to crystallize into the structure that renders them harder than any other form of carbon and harder than any other material. Both diamond growth methods require advanced technology, and both produce rough diamonds that are then cleaned, cut, and polished in the very same way naturally occurring, mined diamond rough is processed.
Our lab-grown diamond process involves a combination of both CVD and HPHT.
Diamond growth can be initiated only when a pre-existing diamond seed or a sliver of the diamond substrate is present for the carbon atoms to attach to and “learn” the diamond’s strong tetrahedral crystal lattice. The “seed” essentially serves as a blueprint for the crystallization process as carbon atoms stack one-by-one on the carefully selected seed.
Lab-grown diamonds are graded to the same carat, clarity, color, and cut specifications as mined diamonds and the same type of Diamond Grading can accompany them Reports written by leading independent gemological institutes and certified appraisers.
“Lab-Grown” most accurately describes the man-made diamond production process in which the crystal structure is grown from the seed diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are the result of an extemporaneous crystallization process rather than a synthesis of diamond compounds. Lab-grown diamonds are unequivocally diamonds with the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as earth mined diamonds - but less physical workforce was involved, and you’ll find a much smaller price tag.
Once the lab-grown diamond rough is large enough to be extracted from the machine, the stone is identified as lab-grown. The rough then go through the same analysis and review as nature made rough. It is analyzed by highly skilled cutters to plan for the best facets and cuts to yield the stones with the best proportions and symmetry.
The lab-grown rough is cut in a responsible, controlled facility. The stones are then polished and inspected. Each stone is packaged carefully with full disclosure of its origin as a lab-grown diamond.
Tight processing controls, full disclosure in each step of a traceable chain of custody, as well as dedication to transparency, ensures each lab-grown diamond is of known origin.
Some of the most common Engagement Ring Q&A's
Yes. Proposing with a ring is a tradition that has carried on for centuries. In ancient times, rings were exchanged as a symbol of love and prosperity. A ring only pushes the feeling of sacrifice and commitment further. If you are not sure about buying diamond engagement rings since it can be quite expensive and your partner may not like it, you can go for a temporary ring to propose. You can take your partner along with you to buy a diamond ring later on.
Sizing is crucial when you are choosing engagement rings. You wouldn’t want to end up with a proposal where your partner keeps struggling with keeping the ring from slipping off of her finger. Furthermore, sizing can be difficult to impossible in some ring designs. For example, a solitaire with plain metal bands is easy to size up or down. But a ring with pave diamond bands will need time and effort to fix and you cannot be assured that the design will remain exactly the same.
Buying real or man-made diamond engagement rings is completely your choice. Natural diamonds are rare where man-made diamonds are created within hours. Even though there is no noticeable difference between the two and not even an expert jeweller can tell the difference with naked eyes, sustainable diamonds are a good choice if you are searching for an environment-friendly and affordable option. If you are looking for an investment then it is not the thing to spend on since lab-grown diamonds have low to no resale value.
Absolutely. Any stone and material can be used in engagement rings. In ancient Egypt, couples exchanged copper rings too. Diamond engagement rings are only preferred because they can bear the brunt of time without harbouring any noticeable damage. This is essential since engagement rings are worn on an everyday basis and come in contact with all kinds of chemicals and surfaces which can harm them. The same cannot be said about other stones which are not as tough as diamonds.
We provide speedy and secure delivery of diamond engagement rings and other jewellery to countries worldwide. Provided goods can be returned as sold within 30 days of receipt, we can exchange any goods, or send replacements. We provide the option of a full refund, again within 30 days, if the goods are deemed ‘faulty’, or different from those ordered. The 30-day refund period may be extended if prior consent is obtained from J.E. Marlow & Sons Limited. Refund procedure: Please email hello@marlows-diamonds.co.uk or call 0121-236-4415 for assistance with refund options. We will deal with any complaints in a fair, confidential, effective way that is available online and easy to use, should you have any complaints please contact us on 0121-236-4415 or email on hello@marlows-diamonds.co.uk
View T&C'sIt is normal for you to have concerns about buying diamond engagement rings online since there are many things one has to consider when making such an investment. However, Marlow’s Diamonds is a reliable online store where you can buy engagement rings at great affordable prices. If you are concerned about the quality of our diamond rings then we can promise you that you are buying the highest quality diamonds. But don’t take us for our word! We provide GIA certifications with all of our diamonds that will educate you on the specifications of the diamonds used in our engagement rings.
This is the most common query received by us. The most popular cut in diamond engagement rings is round brilliant which exudes the maximum brilliance and fire. However, with time trends have changed. Now more couples are experimenting with unfamiliar cuts like pear, heart, princess, and so on. Nevertheless, these are all timeless.
It depends on you. Going to a store and choosing one could take as little as an hour but if you are getting bespoke diamond engagement rings then it could take up to 4 weeks. There’s also the online medium which is also quite fast, however, it is best to discuss these things prior to ordering. Always take your time to finalize the design, learn about the jeweller’s terms and conditions (if any), and then place your order.
It is simply impossible for an amateur to determine the quality of a diamond with naked eyes. To know if your diamond is real, you must ask for grading certificates from your dealer. A grading certificate will tell you all about the authenticity of diamond engagement rings. But you must make sure the certificate is issued from a reliable third-party institution like the GIA and not by the jeweller themselves.
It is a common misconception that diamonds lose their value over time which is why most people think a lot before spending on diamond engagement rings. A simple answer is no. Diamonds remain a rare commodity that never goes out of demand. However, some conditions can affect its market value. It is essential that you take care good care of your diamond to be able to retain its value. This is not very difficult since diamond is the hardest stone on Earth which is precisely why diamonds are preferred over any other stone for engagement rings.
A few things are important to remember when looking for diamond engagement rings. There are 4Cs that every diamond expert swears by. These are Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. The cut of the stone determines the depth and facets of the stone which is responsible for the light reflections that make the diamond shine. A cut can not only enhance the beauty of a diamond but also hide the flaws in one. Color is also essential in terms of a diamond’s quality. Where colorless diamonds are rare and highly expensive, you can always go for lower grades with prices that suit you. Clarity determines the flaws in a diamond. Inclusions and imperfections are unavoidable but can be hidden cleverly with craftsmanship. Consult clarity grades before buying one. Carat weight is the weight or simply the size of the diamond which most people end up paying most attention to. It is important to consider, however, only after you consider the first 3Cs. At Marlow’s, we provide all of these details with our diamonds. After all, your diamond engagement ring should be the best just like your partner.
Diamonds are precious and one of the hardest stones found on earth which is why the concept of “a diamond is forever” was born. Engagement rings are essentially made of diamonds because diamonds can stand the test of time which reinforces the idea of a love that lasts forever. Over the years, gold and silver can fade or even disfigure but a diamond never loses its sparkle or shape just like the way love between two people doesn’t change. No wonder diamond engagement rings are the perfect symbol of the everlasting commitment that comes with getting married.
At Marlow's, we don't like compromises. Everyone should be able to afford their perfect engagement ring that complements their partner. This is why we offer a range of options in diamond engagement rings that will make buying the one you want easy. We provide various plans that will allow you to spread the cost of your engagement ring from 6 months up to 48 months!
There’s a saying that a man should ideally spend 3 months of salary on a diamond engagement rings. However, times have changed and so have people’s priorities. The ideal amount of money you should spend on an engagement ring is the amount you can afford. The thing to remember is that engagement rings are about the love and emotion they represent, not the price. If you go overboard and spend more than you can afford it will cost you in other ways since you will have to compromise on important things like wedding planning or holidays.
Traditionally Mined Diamonds 
Technological lab grown Diamonds 
