Now and then we have a client ask "Do you sell lab grown diamonds?" Our typical response is that we don't deal in pretend diamonds, rubies, emeralds etc. (For what it is worth, synthetic diamonds are not grown in laboratories. They are mass produced in highly energy intensive industrial complexes.)
Our attitude is not an attempt at faux elitist ideology; we fully respect the need for some people to believe they are reducing their 'carbon footprint'. However. when we dig a little deeper we mostly find that price is the prime motivator for those wanting synthetic diamonds. Let's be realistic. Not everyone can afford to invest hard earned dollars in natural diamonds and if you can have a synthetic substitute for a fraction of the price.......
So why on earth would you want a real diamond?
We actually ask this question of our clients from time to time and here are some of their responses-
- "I don't wear fakes"
- "If I can't have the real thing I would rather go without"
- "I am worth it!"
- " I don't do 'cheap'
- "I don't care that nobody else knows the difference; I know and that's what matters"
It seems to be less about ideology and more about what a diamond does for the wearer.