Lab-Grown Diamonds
What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is “grown” inside a lab using a technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process. The result are chemically, physically, and optically the same as those grown beneath the Earth’s surface.
What is the difference between a traditionally mined diamond to a lab-grown diamond?
There is only one difference between traditionally mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds is how they are sourced. Mined diamonds are mined from the earth, as the name suggests, while lab-grown diamonds are created above ground in a lab.
Lab-grown diamonds are not fake diamonds or substitutes for the real thing. They are genuine diamonds that are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds. In fact, because they have the exact same properties and appearance as mined diamonds, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission classified lab-grown diamonds as true diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds also have the bonus of being conflict-free and more environmentally friendly.
How Lab-Grown Diamonds are made and the Differences between them and Natural Diamonds
In order to appreciate this process, we first have to know how natural diamonds are formed . Diamonds are formed deep beneath the surface of the earth, about 100 miles. The pressure and heat of this environment pressurize and binds the carbon atoms together over millions of years to eventually form a diamond.
For lab-grown diamonds, there are two main techniques in use. we outlined these two processes very briefly below:
The HPHT Process – Natural conditions are imitated using a High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) process. For this process, there are different forms of equipment available, such as the belt, cubic and split-sphere presses. This was the first technique that was used to create man-made diamonds.
The CVD Process – The other technique used for the creation of synthetic diamonds is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). This is a relatively newer method that uses a hydrocarbon gas mixture to form diamonds. It uses a sealed chamber that is heated to extreme temperatures. The seed diamond is placed here along with a gas-rich in carbon.
Both the HPTP and CVD processes come with their advantages and disadvantages. While CVD does not require as much heat as HPTP and provides greater control of the final product, HPTP allows for the formation of larger stones. There is ongoing research to fine-tune these processes so that they may become more productive.
Lab-grown diamonds grading -
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds graded the same way as natural diamonds?
YES. Lab-grown diamonds have the exact same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds, they are also identical in quality. Both mined and lab-grown diamonds are classified and graded as true diamonds by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. A high-quality diamond is a high-quality diamond, whether it comes from a lab or the earth. Once they are professionally cut and polished, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference.
How are Lab grown Diamonds get certified?
All lab-grown jewelry is certified by GIA – the same lab that certifies mined diamonds.
They certifies all types of loose diamonds and provides reliable, accurate grading and identification. Certificate numbers are laser inscribed onto the girdle of the diamond (the thin perimeter that divides the crown from the pavilion or the bottom of the diamond). These inscriptions are so small they require magnification to view and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
GIA Laboratory Grown diamond reports provide the same information as IGl mined diamond reports. The reports are colored yellow in order to ensure full transparency with consumers
Do Lab-Grown diamonds cost more or less, or the same as Natural Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are generally less expensive than their traditional mined counterparts – so you can get a higher quality diamond or a larger stone for the same price. The average lab-grown diamond costs about 30 % – 40 % less than a mined diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are true diamonds, so they are not cheap, but a shorter supply chain creates greater value for consumers.
