Do pawn shops buy lab-grown diamonds?

If you are looking for a stunning, brilliant, and sparkling diamond that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, a lab-grown diamond may be the right choice. But do pawn shops buy or sell lab-grown diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds offer exceptional beauty and extremely attractive prices. They are the perfect choice for gorgeous jewelry on a modest budget. However, you may wonder whether pawn shops deal in them if you want to make quick cash by pawning or selling your lab-grown diamond. Let’s learn more about the world of lab-grown diamonds.

What is the difference between lab-created and natural diamonds?

Lab-created diamonds, also known as man-made, engineered, or cultured diamonds. They are grown in a special environment using an advanced process that mimics how natural diamonds develop beneath the Earth’s crust. Lab-created diamonds are made by arranging and “growing” carbon atoms in the classic crystal structure of real diamonds.

This process produces diamonds with the same physical, chemical, and visual properties as natural diamonds, only much more quickly than Mother Nature does currently. As such, you cannot tell them apart with the naked eye. The only difference is in how they are formed.

Lab-grown diamonds vs. moissanite vs. cubic zirconia

With so many diamond options out there, many people are often confused about what they’re really buying. Here’s a quick summary of the major differences:

Both natural and lab-created diamonds are carbon-based and considered real diamonds. CZ and moissanite are popular diamond alternatives, but they differ significantly in composition, appearance, and characteristics.

While moissanite is a silicon carbide mineral, it is extremely scarce in its natural form. Therefore, most moissanite you find in jewelry will be synthetic or lab-grown.

Made from zirconium dioxide, CZ is known best for its diamond-like appearance and affordability. But it is less durable and can quickly become scratched or cloudy over time.

How do pawn shops determine if diamonds are natural or lab-grown?

As we said earlier, you cannot distinguish between natural and lab-grown diamonds with the naked eye. Even jewelers with decades of experience can’t tell them apart just by looking at them.

Professional jewelers and pawn shop brokers often have the special equipment necessary to tell the difference. While this equipment isn’t cheap, it is necessary, especially for those who regularly buy or sell loose diamonds or diamond jewelry.

How do pawn shops determine the price of diamonds?

Natural diamonds are graded according to the 4 Cs – cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.

The cut is perhaps the most important factor in determining the diamond’s value and natural beauty. The more skilled the cut, the more eye-catching the diamond.

Natural diamond colors can range from clear to light yellow or light brown. Other colors, such as blue, pink, yellow and more, are considered “fancy” and are graded differently than white diamonds. It’s extremely rare to find a truly colorless natural diamond.

Clarity includes the natural blemishes that form during the diamond’s creation. There are no perfectly clear diamonds. Most diamonds have blemishes that can be seen only under magnification. The size and severity of these inherent flaws help determine the diamond’s grade.

Carat represents the diamond’s physical weight and is the most objective of the 4 Cs. The larger the carat weight, the rarer the stone and, thus, the more expensive it becomes. While weight and cut can significantly affect the appearance and value of a diamond, all 4 Cs are used to determine a diamond’s overall quality.

Is it safe to buy a diamond from a pawn shop?

Diamond jewelry is perhaps the most popular item in a pawn shop. You never know what pieces you’ll find or how long it will be there. However, with a little patience, luck, and knowledge, you can rest assured that purchasing diamond jewelry at a pawn shop is safe.

Before you go shopping, do a little research first. Learn as much as you can about diamonds, the different weights and cuts, and how much similar pieces are going for in the retail market. You don’t have to be a diamond expert. However, it helps to be familiar with various factors that can significantly impact their price and long-term value.

Also, consider that you’re more likely to stretch your budget by purchasing diamond jewelry at a pawn shop. You can find beautiful, high-quality, original, antique, or vintage pieces for a fraction of the price you would pay at a retail jewelry store. This means you get more value for your money!

You can often work with a pawn shop to customize either something you already own or something they have in stock. Most pawn shops have a professional jeweler on staff who can work with you to melt down settings and put your diamond into a custom setting you’ll love.

Do pawn shops buy, sell or pawn lab-grown diamonds?

Unlike natural diamonds, that is not always as clear-cut. If you’re looking to buy, sell or pawn a lab-grown diamond at your local pawn shop, you may need to ask around first to find the right shop. Look for one that specializes in gold and diamonds. There, you’re more likely to find expert staff with the experience and specialized equipment needed to determine your jewelry’s value accurately.

Here at Gene’s, we specialize in fine jewelry and natural diamonds. We also offer jewelry evaluation and repair services online and on-site, so you can rest assured you will be taken care of like family when you buy jewelry from us.

Should I sell or pawn my diamond?

When it comes to parting with your precious diamond, there are two options: selling or pawning.

Both offer unique pros and cons, so understanding the different options is important for achieving your best outcome. Selling your diamond involves getting rid of it in exchange for cash. This option could take time, especially if you sell your diamond jewelry with an online retailer or resale site. Once sold, your jewelry is permanently gone.

Instead, pawning your diamond means you can use it as collateral for a cash loan. Once you repay the loan in full, you get your jewelry back. You can pawn your item as many times as you wish. And the transaction will be easy, simple and no hassle, taking only minutes and a minimum of paperwork before you walk out the door with cash in hand.

If you want to pawn or sell your precious diamond jewelry or purchase a new diamond for your collection, Gene’s Jewelry & Pawn is ready to help! For more than 30 years, we have provided our customers with the high level of service they deserve. Visit one of our locations in North Charleston, Moncks Corner or Goose Creek, SC, today and see how we can help you, or visit us online to get a free estimate for your items or shop our outstanding selection from the convenience of your couch!