Furious debate breaks out over lab-grown diamonds - as critics claim the jewels are 'not as special'

  • The heated discussion focused on lab-grown diamonds and their authenticity
  • Some are so against lab-grown diamonds and think you shouldn't accept them
  • READ MORE: Engagement ring designer reveals three styles not to buy in 2024

A wild debate has broken out about whether or not lab-grown diamonds are the real deal - with some claiming that they 'hold no value' and are not acceptable for an engagement ring.

Lab-grown diamonds have long been mired in controversy, and are a huge topic of debate for many brides-to-be.

Like their name, lab-grown diamonds are in fact diamonds that are made in a lab instead of being mined underground.

According to Brides, the lab-grown stones are produced in an environment that is extremely similar to the Earth's surface, meaning that they have the same chemical and molecular makeup. 

And, not only are their chemical properties the same, but a lab-grown diamond has a physical and optical makeup that are identical to a regular diamond, the outlet noted.

The debate was sparked by a recently resurfaced Instagram Reel video made by La Joya Jewelry Inc

The debate was sparked by a recently resurfaced Instagram Reel video made by La Joya Jewelry Inc 

Lab-grown diamonds, like the one above, have long been mired in controversy, and are a huge topic of debate for many brides-to-be

Lab-grown diamonds, like the one above, have long been mired in controversy, and are a huge topic of debate for many brides-to-be

Some have pointed out that lab-grown diamonds require a large amount of energy to make, per ABC News, but many believe they are the more ethical answer to diamond mining. 

The gems also come at a lower price point, which means that you could shave thousands of dollars off of a potential diamond purchase, and have been adopted by mainstream brands like Pandora and Kay Jewelers. 

However, many people are still skeptical about lab-grown diamonds, and made their thoughts known in a recently resurfaced Instagram Reel video from March about the jewels. 

The clip, which was made by brand La Joya Jewelry Inc, featured someone flashing their large diamond engagement ring to the camera with a sassy caption. 

'Saying "lab-grown diamonds are fake" is like saying ice cubes are fake and only real ice is made outside,' the video clip read. 

They also asked viewers whether or not they would want a lab-grown diamond for themselves - a loaded question that came with some very passionate answers. 

'Women, if you accept a laboratory diamond from your boyfriend, you can be sure that one day he will give a natural diamond to another woman,' one person wrote. 

Another agreed, 'Lab diamonds are as fake and easy to replace as your love.'

Lab-grown gems, like the above, also come at a lower price point, which means that you could shave thousands of dollars off of a potential diamond purchase

Lab-grown gems, like the above, also come at a lower price point, which means that you could shave thousands of dollars off of a potential diamond purchase

In the comments section of the Instagram Reel video, many were quick to call out lab-grown diamonds, with one person even writing that they're as 'fake and easy' to replace as your love

In the comments section of the Instagram Reel video, many were quick to call out lab-grown diamonds, with one person even writing that they're as 'fake and easy' to replace as your love

'Buying a lab-grown diamond is the same thing as buying a fake Rolex or a fake Birkin,' someone else typed.

Another viewer shared, 'Just like l wouldn't accept a knock off purse from my man, I wouldn't accept a knock off stone either. It's about the value and investment. I'm worth the real thing.'

'We wear real diamonds because of their history, significance and unique beauty. Lab-grown diamonds are great for the environment but… It isn't the same. Haha,' a user complained. 

But on Reddit, where the video was recently reposted to the r/facepalm subreddit, many had a different opinion.

The poster couldn't seem to believe that people had such problems with lab-grown diamonds, and many of the users in the comments seemed to share a similar sentiment.

'Yeah lab-grown diamonds are "diamonds" by definition and are technically better than natural diamonds because they don't have inclusions like almost all natural stones contain, but when I look at the sparkly rocks on my fingers I like to think about all the people who had to be enslaved and killed so that I can have shiny rocks on my fingers to show the world that I in fact am a married person,' one Reddit user wrote. 

A second contributor quipped, 'The whole concept of luxury goods is just a scam for rich people to feel special cause they useless trash is 30x more expensive than normal items. 

'Them bags are ugly af, them shoes too and the rocks are rocks. Like, buy yourself a brain next time.'

'Bruh it's so funny because even real jewelers can't tell lab diamonds from "natural" ones and the lab ones can be made purer and stronger because they don't have inclusions,' another shared.

Someone else cracked, 'Anyone who requires a "diamond" in order to marry is not in it for the love. I have a rubber wedding band. My wife only wanted 1 "D" and she loves it.'