Lab-grown diamonds have become quite a buzz lately. If you're thinking about getting one for an engagement ring, you're probably wondering what sets them apart. Let's take a closer look at the differences between lab diamonds and the ones we dig out of the ground.

Mined diamonds are the real deal, naturally formed under tons of pressure and heat deep within the Earth. On the flip side, lab diamonds are created using advanced tech. The interesting thing is, both types are ‘real’ diamonds.

Lab diamonds are made of pure carbon, just like the ones that come from the earth. When it comes to quality, they're pretty much on par. But here's the cool part: lab diamonds often have better colour grades, which makes them perfect for blinging out in jewellery. On the other hand, only about 20% of mined diamonds make the cut for jewellery-grade quality.

Beyond quality, lab diamonds are also an eco-friendly choice. The whole lab process creates way less waste, carbon emissions, and uses less water compared to old-school mining. Plus, the whole shady business of conflict diamonds and dodgy labour practices? Not a worry with lab-grown diamonds.

As for what's hot in the market, Valentina Fine Diamonds has noticed a real surge in the demand for lab diamond bling. People are realising these lab-grown sparklers are the real deal and they come at a price that won't break the bank. Fun fact: lab diamonds cost less than half of what you'd pay for mined diamonds.

So, whether you're all about being kind to the planet, on a budget, or just love a bit of shine, lab diamonds are shaking things up in the jewellery world. Check out this infographic for more details.