While a white diamond is the most popular type of diamond, some people want a more distinct look for their jewelry. Especially when an engagement ring is involved. And that is where salt and pepper diamonds come into the picture.
The best part about salt and pepper diamonds is that they are unique, and it would be unlikely that others around you would be wearing one. Like white diamonds, salt and pepper diamonds can also be lab-grown.
What Are Lab-Created Diamonds?
When it comes to lab-created diamonds, one of the main questions people will ask is whether a lab-created diamond is real. The answer is yes, a lab-created diamond is very much real and has all the properties of a real diamond.
The only difference between a real diamond and a lab-created diamond is that a lab-created diamond is grown using technology that replicates the process of diamond growth deep beneath the earth.
This process gives a lab-created diamond the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as a naturally sourced diamond.
What Are Salt and Pepper Diamonds?
Salt and pepper diamonds are the same as colorless or white diamonds in terms of properties. They just have a higher number of white and black inclusions. These diamonds can either be naturally sourced or lab-grown.
The high number of inclusions or flecks are impurities that get trapped inside the carbon structure that forms a diamond during its development.
Every diamond has inclusions, but when the number of inclusions is high, they become more visible. Inclusions are the reason why some diamonds are colored or have a salt & pepper look.
Lab-Grown Salt and Pepper Diamonds
While these diamonds are generally sourced naturally, you can get a lab-grown salt and pepper diamond too. A naturally sourced salt and pepper diamond and the lab-grown variant will have the same appearance and chemical compositions.
When deciding between the two, look at the diamond’s color, cut, carat, and clarity. You also need to consider the length and width of the diamond.
The best part about a lab-grown salt and pepper diamond is that you can get them at a 20% to 30% cheaper price than a mined salt and pepper diamond which means you can increase the carats in your diamond within the same budget.
How Do Salt and Pepper Diamonds Get Their Look?
Most diamonds have impurities, some more than others. Inclusions are an essential part of a diamond that develops during the process of its formation.
These inclusions can be of any color, shape, and size. The standard colors are black and white, but you can also find inclusions in gold, green, yellow, red, or orange colors. The shapes can be anything from feathers, spots, chips, clouds, or cracks.
Salt and pepper diamonds will have many black and white inclusions, thus the name salt and pepper. Depending on the intensity of colors and the shapes of the inclusions, salt and pepper diamonds can look grayish, blackish, or milky in all spectrums.
Salt and Pepper Diamond: the 4C’s
When searching for the perfect diamond for your engagement ring setting, there are a few specific differences between salt and pepper and colorless diamonds that you need to keep in mind. Salt and pepper and colorless or white diamonds develop in the same way, but they differ in quality.
No matter what cut you prefer for your diamond, other necessary factors help you decide on the best diamond for your engagement ring. You should consider the 4 Cs when looking for salt and pepper diamonds.
Cut
The cut of any diamond is an essential factor. The right cut of salt and pepper diamonds will reveal the unique patterns and inclusions of the stone.
But if the number of inclusions is higher in a stone, a round brilliant cut will reduce its brilliance. A fancy cut is the best option for stones with a higher number of inclusions.
Fancy cuts are shaped like hexagons, kites, pears, rounds, roses, triangles, ovals, and step cuts. These are the best cut options for salt and pepper diamonds. If you are opting for a rustic setting, then you can go for a rough or raw form of salt and pepper diamond with no fancy cuts.
Clarity
The number of inclusions and blemishes a diamond has will determine its clarity. All of the diamonds have inclusions, some less than others, but there are no such diamonds that are completely clear and perfect.
Salt and pepper diamonds are a type of diamond that have a higher number of black and white inclusions in different shapes and sizes. The imperfection of salt and pepper diamonds sets them apart and gives them a distinct identity.
Color
While measuring the quality of a diamond, the color parameter is to check how colorfull a diamond is. The absence or less amount of colors in a diamond enhances its look. A high-grade diamond will have lighter to no color at all.
However, in the case of salt and pepper diamonds, due to the presence of black and white inclusions, the color of a diamond can look gray and give the whole diamond a darker look. Depending on the number of inclusions, these diamonds can look milky, gray, black, or colorless.
Carat
The carat weight is another factor to consider while choosing salt and pepper diamonds for your jewelry. A carat is used to measure the weight of a diamond. Compared with a colorless or white diamond, salt and pepper diamonds are relatively cheaper and are thus readily available.
The cost of a regular diamond increases drastically with increasing carats, but that is not the case with salt and pepper diamonds. These diamonds can cost you half of a same-carat white diamond.
You can increase the carat of the salt and pepper diamond for your engagement ring without increasing your budget.
FAQ About Lab-Created Salt and Pepper Diamonds
Do salt and pepper diamonds hold value?
Yes, salt and pepper diamonds do hold value as they are diamonds. It is just that a colorless or white diamond with minimal inclusions is difficult to find and is also the most popular diamond. This is why it is higher in price when compared to salt and pepper diamonds.
Are salt and pepper diamonds weaker?
Salt and pepper diamonds are generally not physically weaker in comparison to regular diamonds. However, they may be more prone to chipping because of the higher number of inclusions.
Can a jeweler identify a lab-created diamond?
No, a jeweler can not tell the difference between a lab-created diamond and a naturally grown diamond. Since both the diamonds have similar chemical and physical structures and appearances, a jeweler won’t be able to tell the difference unless they have specialized equipment.
Wrapping Up
A lab-created salt and pepper diamond is similar to a naturally sourced salt and pepper diamond. If you are on a budget and want a unique look for your jewelry, a lab-grown salt and pepper diamond would make a unique and budget-friendly choice.
I hope this helps you find what you were looking for. Do leave your suggestions and questions in the comment section below!
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