After discussion on Jewelry pieces in general with several ladies the question of is “buying lab diamonds equivalent to buying a Superfake handbag” popped into my head and I decided to post here and get everyone’s opinion. Everyone loves to compare how physically they’re identical to mined stones and differences only can be seen under loupe. This is same with some Superfakes that only experts can tell the difference upon physical examination? IMO they are the superfakes of the diamond world. Let’s here your thoughts
Are lab diamonds the equivalent of handbag Superfakes?
- Thread starter missie1
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I don’t think so. Not unless someone bought a lab diamond and pretended it was a natural one in order to deceive.
I don’t get the comparison really, lab diamonds are real they just come from a lab. The fake bag is stolen intellectual property meant to deceive people into thinking it’s something it’s not.
Currently there is greater value attached to mined diamonds but some people simply don’t care so they go the Lab route. I’m curious to see how the market changes over time with the increasing popularity of Lab diamonds.
Currently there is greater value attached to mined diamonds but some people simply don’t care so they go the Lab route. I’m curious to see how the market changes over time with the increasing popularity of Lab diamonds.
Agree with @Mrs.Z . I don’t have any lab diamonds, but it’s because my diamond jewelry mainly consists of hand me downs from family, and I like the older cuts 
. I think labs are more popular with younger customers who don’t want to worry about the potential ethics and sustainability of natural diamonds and who want a better price. (Though I believe labs are not cheap). I have also read somewhere that they aren’t all that sustainable, but I don’t recall the details. Still, if someone is starting out, and would rather put more money to a home down payment than a fancy engagement ring or a pair of studs, I don’t have any issue with that. I don’t think of them as super fakes bc I don’t think they are premier branded in the same sense.
. I think labs are more popular with younger customers who don’t want to worry about the potential ethics and sustainability of natural diamonds and who want a better price. (Though I believe labs are not cheap). I have also read somewhere that they aren’t all that sustainable, but I don’t recall the details. Still, if someone is starting out, and would rather put more money to a home down payment than a fancy engagement ring or a pair of studs, I don’t have any issue with that. I don’t think of them as super fakes bc I don’t think they are premier branded in the same sense.
The existence of lab diamonds is within legitimate commerce, as a product for a legitimate market sector, and bought and sold on that basis. The existence of superfakes is within illegal trade and often (not always) with consumer fraud as its intention, hence illegitimate commerce. These are significant enough distinctions as to make this a comparison between apples and velociraptors.
You may not like things that are like other natural things, but that's not fraud by definition.
You may not like things that are like other natural things, but that's not fraud by definition.
Interesting perspective because anything man made in the lab is definitely manufactured so it’s not the same as a natural resource harvested. The same argument could be made that labs are deceiving as they are man made items attempting to duplicate a natural diamond. I don’t think intellectual property rights can be factored here became it’s natural resource and not a specific patent protected item like say Hermes birkin. Great discussion
I don’t understand why anyone would care, unless they were being sold lab-manufactured diamonds and told they were natural.
Lab diamonds (as close to 100% carbon as can be) usually sold without flaws of superior colour and sold as lab diamonds are not super fakes because they're sold as what they appear to be.
Lab diamonds (also as close to 100% carbon as can be) sold as natural diamonds without flaws of superior colour are illegal - and therefore, super-fakes because mined diamonds of rare quality command the highest prices.
Anyway, anything around 2 carat should have a cert, GIA (or other recognised body) certs will state whether a diamond is lab-grown or natural.
The only thing to be careful of are tiny diamonds for added sparkle. Most reputable jewellers will give a verbal description that includes origin, but some people (sales) don't even know to distinguish and inform customers.
There are a glut of small diamonds, De Beers hardly knows what to do with the diamond mountains, how can it be sustainable to manufacture more? I guess a different discussion.
Lab diamonds (also as close to 100% carbon as can be) sold as natural diamonds without flaws of superior colour are illegal - and therefore, super-fakes because mined diamonds of rare quality command the highest prices.
Anyway, anything around 2 carat should have a cert, GIA (or other recognised body) certs will state whether a diamond is lab-grown or natural.
The only thing to be careful of are tiny diamonds for added sparkle. Most reputable jewellers will give a verbal description that includes origin, but some people (sales) don't even know to distinguish and inform customers.
There are a glut of small diamonds, De Beers hardly knows what to do with the diamond mountains, how can it be sustainable to manufacture more? I guess a different discussion.
"The same argument could be made that labs are deceiving as they are man made items attempting to duplicate a natural diamond."
In that sense, we ought to be offended by artificial flowers and fake plants. Both are man made items attempting to duplicate something natural. But no one seems to care about those or compare them to "superfakes" because of the price point. In other words, if people are pretending under a certain price point it doesn't matter, but when people think their luxury items are being infringed upon, it does.
As others have stated, manmade diamonds ARE diamonds in the chemical sense; they aren't fake anything. They are not (legally) sold as natural stones. They provide a market and a different price point for many consumers. Just because some people might confuse them for mined stones doesn't mean they are fake in any way.
In that sense, we ought to be offended by artificial flowers and fake plants. Both are man made items attempting to duplicate something natural. But no one seems to care about those or compare them to "superfakes" because of the price point. In other words, if people are pretending under a certain price point it doesn't matter, but when people think their luxury items are being infringed upon, it does.
As others have stated, manmade diamonds ARE diamonds in the chemical sense; they aren't fake anything. They are not (legally) sold as natural stones. They provide a market and a different price point for many consumers. Just because some people might confuse them for mined stones doesn't mean they are fake in any way.
Lab diamonds are molecularly the same (with the exception of inclusions/additives from the environment) as natural diamonds. To me, it's more akin to the difference between tomatoes grown in the wild vs. those in a greenhouse. They're still tomatoes. So long as they're honest about their origins, I have no issue with it.
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Absolutely no comparison. I'm with @jellyv on apples vs. velociraptors.
Lab diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, but when they are created there's a mark added to ensure they cannot be sold as mined. (There is also a complex process which can tell you a diamond is lab even if it's not marked.)
Lab diamonds are not created to be "fake mined diamonds", they are created to offer an alternative to folks who want the beauty of a diamond without the high price, scarcity, and/or ethical concerns.
Superfake handbags are deliberately created to deceive and to be sold as something they are not. They have a brand stamped on them that is deliberately false. And, while they might be made with the same leather, glue, and thread as authentics, all of their perceived value is based on that fake brand stamp.
If a superfake Birkin from that very big manufacturer of fake Hermès had a stamp over the turnlock that said the name of that manufacturer, instead of "Hermés", it would be worth very little.
Lab diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, but when they are created there's a mark added to ensure they cannot be sold as mined. (There is also a complex process which can tell you a diamond is lab even if it's not marked.)
Lab diamonds are not created to be "fake mined diamonds", they are created to offer an alternative to folks who want the beauty of a diamond without the high price, scarcity, and/or ethical concerns.
Superfake handbags are deliberately created to deceive and to be sold as something they are not. They have a brand stamped on them that is deliberately false. And, while they might be made with the same leather, glue, and thread as authentics, all of their perceived value is based on that fake brand stamp.
If a superfake Birkin from that very big manufacturer of fake Hermès had a stamp over the turnlock that said the name of that manufacturer, instead of "Hermés", it would be worth very little.
Yes! greenhouse vs. naturally grown plants is an excellent comparison.
Also, lab diamonds are a legal and legitimate business. Super fakes are not.
hmm. i would consider lab grown a step above super fakes - maybe more like the entry level bag of the collection? but honestly, I am not a fan of them either. the money on them doesn't make sense either - they have declined in price tremendously over the years. the poor people that bought them in 2016 should be furious!
Good analogy. I was really curious how others viewed them as we are always so against handbag fakes. Interesting that general consensus is that identical duplication for more affordable price point is fine as long as done legally and no fraudulent intent is involved.