My Honest Thoughts on Mejuri’s Lab-Grown Diamonds
PC: Florré
By now, you’ve likely already heard a thing or two about lab-grown diamonds. I myself have written not one, but two stories about lab-grown diamonds for InStyle and Glamour. I spoke to GIA experts and various brand founders to try to answer everyone’s burning question: are lab-grown diamonds better than mined diamonds?
Here’s the thing. It really depends on how you define “better”. A friend of mine works for a company that sources natural diamonds and sells them to world-famous jewelry brands. According to him, lab-grown diamonds hold no real value and will quickly deflate in price.
But I’m not so quick to agree. Sure, anything that can be mass-produced won’t be as valuable as something that took a billion years to form deep underground. But remove the romantic connotations of owning a natural diamond, and you’re basically left with the same mineral in your hands—same sparkle, same material, same diamond.
I got to test out many lab-grown diamonds over the years. I’ve held magnifying glasses to crystals and attempted to guess which are mined, which are lab-grown. But the truth is, the naked eye alone won’t be able to distinguish the difference. Hanging around my neck is a barre necklace adorned with mined diamonds from Hearts on Fire. When I hold up my Mejuri Lab Grown Sapphire Half Tennis Bracelet, I honestly can’t tell the difference (and these are sapphires, not diamonds).
That said, I do think the two types of diamonds serve different purposes, and I want to get into what those are below.
Opt for Natural Diamonds if…
You’re proposing. This is just a personal take, but I believe if you’re going to propose, you should do it with something that holds real value. There’s something really romantic about a natural diamond “finding” you. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece that’s irreplaceable. And I know it’s not a pretty conversation, but the truth is plenty of marriages end in divorce. If you’re hoping to get some money back on a lab-grown diamond engagement ring 15 years down the line, the ring will be worth nothing, while a natural diamond will hold its value.
Opt for Lab-Grown Diamonds if…
You’re getting literally anything else. Necklaces, earrings, and accessories of every kind are perfect for lab-grown diamonds! You can get a bigger bang for your buck and treat yourself to some sparkle without completely depleting your bank account. Lab-grown diamonds are an excellent way to add a little luxury into your daily life, which is why I’m so in love with the line of lab-grown jewelry from Mejuri.
Mejuri Lab-Grown Sapphire Pearl Studs
I love these dainty freshwater pearl earrings, both on their own and stacked with more diamonds along the lobe. They sit on an 18k gold-plated silver bar, which I’ve been wearing into the shower sans problem. The lab-grown sapphire adds that extra luxurious touch without feeling gaudy.
Lab-Grown Sapphire Half Tennis Bracelet
This bit of eye candy has been the best addition to my jewelry collection. Worn with my permanent jewelry from Catbird and my grandmother’s watch, the 2-millimeter-wide lab-grown sapphires add just the right amount of sparkle that complements, rather than takes away from, the rest of the stack. While a full tennis bracelet feels like too much for everyday wear, this half strand bracelet is ideal for daily use.
Final Thoughts
Beyond the fact that lab-grown gemstones have the same material makeup as natural diamonds, they’re also made responsibly and with minimal environmental impact. If you want to shop for diamonds guilt-free, then I suggest looking into lab-grown alternatives to mined diamonds. I found mine at Mejuri!
