Diamonds sparkle and shine and are also incredibly expensive, especially if you’re a fan of a larger carat. But no matter the price, people love adorning their fingers, necks, wrists, and ears in ice, as some might call it. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, after all. However, couples are now opting for a much cheaper variant, just as sparkly as ever — lab-created jewels!
The Making of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The diamond grown in a lab might not be as spectacular and rare as its natural counterpart, but people still find them extremely beautiful. They come in different colors too. You can find them in pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, and clear. And there are two methods of creating colorful beauties — chemical vapor deposition or high-pressure high temperature.
During HPHT, a metal cube is used in which carbon is pressed into and exposed to immense heat and pressure through electrical pulses. The carbon breaks down and crystallizes. Metal traces are minuscule after the process, and most experts consider this a better method for CVD. People, however, can rarely see the difference.
Why Lab-Grown Is Preferred
For one, lab-created diamonds are a lot more sustainable and not to mention a whole lot cheaper than a natural gem — around 85% cheaper. That’s one of the main reasons couples choose the options. Some said they weren’t even aware of the lab-created counterpart, but a recent study showed that in 2023 sales of the lab-grown gems grew by 81%. Clearly, couples are beginning to go for the cheaper option.
The famous retailer of diamonds, Queensmith, put the lab-created gem to the test of the public eye. People and passersby were simply stunned by the difference in price between the naturally occurring diamond and the one from a lab. However, they all said the same thing — that they’d never be able to tell the difference. So, lab-created for the win!
Oscar De La Hoya Praised Travis Barker for Helping Raise His Daughter
In an interview prior to the release of his HBO documentary, The Golden Boy, former professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya expressed his gratitude towards Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker for his role as a father figure in the life of De La Hoya’s 24-year-old daughter. Reflecting on his absence, De La Hoya acknowledged Barker’s efforts.
Travis Barker Was a Good Stepdad
De La Hoya openly acknowledged that he didn’t play a significant role in raising his children, giving credit to their mothers for shouldering that responsibility. He expressed gratitude towards Travis Barker for being a father figure to his daughter, Atiana, and recognized the role played by her mother, Shanna Moakler, in being a mother to Atiana. Despite his pride in being a father, De La Hoya acknowledged the importance of knowing his place and appreciating the efforts of others.
De La Hoya and Moakler welcomed Atiana in 1999, a year before their split. Moakler later married Barker in 2004, and he became a father figure to Atiana from the age of five. Travis Barker and Moakler are also parents to their own children, Landon and Alabama. De La Hoya emphasized his respect for Barker, noting their ongoing communication and acknowledging him as a genuinely nice person.
Barker Recently Married Kourtney Kardashian
Travis Barker, who recently married Kourtney Kardashian, is also a stepfather to her children from a previous relationship with Scott Disick. As the couple announced their pregnancy last month, Barker’s role as a father is set to expand further. Kardashian shared maternity photos that showcased their baby bump and featured romantic shots of the couple. Barker playfully teased the unborn baby’s name in the comment section, hinting at their excitement and anticipation for the newest addition to their family.
While the couple has not revealed any details about the name they have chosen for their baby, Kardashian’s additional photos of the couple posed near an outdoor drum set hinted at their love for music. The post was accompanied by a caption stating that the little drummer boy was coming soon.