Lab-Grown Diamonds Guide
Welcome to our Lab-Grown Diamonds page, where we demystify the brilliance of Lab-created Diamond and help you make the best decision for your jewelry needs.
Lab-created diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and visual properties as Natural Diamonds. They are evaluated and graded using the same 4C’s as Natural Diamonds. While Lab-Grown Diamonds may offer a more affordable and sustainable alternative, it’s essential to understand that their resale value differs significantly from that of Natural Diamonds. If you’re seeking the sparkle of a Diamond without having to pay a Natural Diamond price tag, Lab-Grown Diamonds might be a fitting choice for you.
What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-Grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultured diamonds, are Real Diamonds created in a controlled laboratory environment. They share the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as Natural Diamonds, offering the same beauty and durability without the environmental and ethical concerns associated with mining.
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?
Lab-Created diamonds are made by replicating the processes that result in the creation of a natural diamond.
Natural Diamonds grow through intense heat and pressure which, over millions of years transforms carbon atoms into beautiful and captivating gemstones we know as Diamonds.
Lab-created diamonds grow the same way, only through a man-made process that takes several weeks, not millions of years.
Man-made diamonds begin with a tiny piece of diamond, known as a Diamond Seed. This seed is placed sealed inside a special chamber designed to mimic conditions within the Earth’s crust.
The seed, coated in pure carbon, will eventually transform into a Synthetic Diamond, chemically identical to a Natural Diamond.
The Creation Process:
Lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced technological processes that mimic the natural conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle. High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are the two primary methods used to grow diamonds in the
HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature)
HPHT, is one of the methods used to create lab-grown diamonds. This process simulates the natural conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle. In the HPHT method, a small diamond seed is placed in a press and subjected to high temperatures (over 1,400°C) and high pressures (around 5-6 GPa), akin to those found hundreds of kilometers below the Earth's surface.
Under these extreme conditions, carbon atoms in a diamond seed crystal arrange themselves into a crystal lattice structure, gradually growing into a larger diamond over time. The process can take several days or weeks, depending on the desired size of the diamond. Once grown, the diamond is carefully cut, polished, and graded to ensure it meets the highest quality standards.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
CVD, is another method used to create lab-grown diamonds. Unlike the HPHT method, which mimics the natural diamond-forming process, CVD involves a chemical process that occurs in a vacuum chamber.
In the CVD process, a diamond seed, typically a thin slice of diamond, is placed in a vacuum chamber along with a gas mixture containing carbon-rich gasses like methane. When the chamber is heated, the gasses break down, releasing carbon atoms. These carbon atoms then adhere to the diamond seed, gradually building up layer by layer to form a larger diamond crystal.
The CVD process allows for greater control over the growth of the diamond, resulting in diamonds with exceptional purity and uniformity. It also enables the creation of complex shapes and sizes, making it ideal for producing diamonds for various industrial and technological applications.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds
Similarities:
Chemical Composition: Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are composed of pure carbon arranged in a crystalline structure, making them chemically identical.
Optical Properties: Lab-grown diamonds exhibit the same optical properties as natural diamonds, including brilliance, fire, and sparkle. When cut and polished to the same standards, it can be challenging to distinguish between the two types.
Durability: Lab-grown diamonds share the exceptional hardness and durability of natural diamonds, making them suitable for everyday wear and lasting a lifetime with proper care.
Differences:
Origin: The most significant difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is their origin. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle over millions of years through natural geological processes, while lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments within a matter of weeks using advanced technological methods.
Ethical Considerations: Lab-grown diamonds offer an ethical alternative to natural diamonds, as they are produced without the environmental and social concerns associated with diamond mining. Lab-grown diamonds are guaranteed to be conflict-free and sustainable, providing peace of mind for conscientious consumers.
Variety: Lab-grown diamonds offer greater flexibility in terms of color and clarity options compared to natural diamonds. Since they are grown under controlled conditions, lab-grown diamonds can be produced in a wider range of colors and with fewer inclusions, providing consumers with more choices to suit their preferences and budget.
Cost: Lab-grown diamonds are typically more affordable than natural diamonds. While natural diamonds' value is influenced by factors such as rarity, size, and quality, lab-grown diamonds can be produced at a lower cost, resulting in significant savings for consumers.
In summary:
While Natural Diamonds and Lab-Grown share many similarities in terms of durability, chemical composition, and optical properties, their origin, cost, and ethical considerations distinguish them from one another. Whether you choose a Lab-Grown or Natural Diamond ultimately depends on your personal preferences, values, and budget.
| Lab-Created Diamonds | Natural Diamonds |
| Lab-grown in a matter of weeks | Formed under the earth’s crust over billions of years |
| Mass-Produced | One-of-a-kind |
| Constructed of carbon atoms structures | Constructed of carbon atoms structures |
| Available in a range of shapes and carat weight | Available in a range of shapes and carat weight |
| Lower price with no resale value | Higher price with resale value at 50%+ |
| Somewhat desirable for engagement rings | Very desirable for engagement rings |