Guides
Lab Grown Diamonds
Luxury and sustainability, perfectly aligned.
What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
In a 2018 ruling by the Federal Trade Commission, the definition of a diamond was changed. The qualifying factor that they must be, “natural” was removed. This was based on scientific facts, stating that a diamond is a gemstone, no matter the origin. From the naked eye, there is no difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds, lifelong jewelers, or schooled gemologists cannot tell them apart. They must use specifically designed advanced technology. Conventional machinery and microscopes are not able to spot the distinction between the two.
How are lab-created diamonds created?
There are two main processes in which lab-grown diamonds are made, high-pressure high temperature (HPHT), and Chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
HPHT method
The HPHT process is accepted and outdated process for lab-grown diamonds. This is seen as more costly and uses much more energy than the alternative of CVD. For HPHT, a diamond seed is placed into pure carbon. The chamber is then heated to about 1500 degrees Celsius and over 1,000,000 psi. In this environment, carbon begins to attach to the diamond.
CVD method
CVD diamonds are regarded as a more sustainable process. This practice begins with the same diamond seed as HPHT. The main difference is the chamber is filled with carbon-rich gasses, then placed into a vacuum at about 800 degrees Celsius. This allows the gases to turn into a plasma state, building upon the diamond seed into a uniform square shape. This process takes about a month to grow, before being sent into the cutting and polishing.
Lab-grown effect on the environment
Lab-grown diamonds negate the effects that are seen with traditional mining methods, these diamonds offer a more ethical and eco-friendly approach compared to traditional diamonds. Because they are sourced in a lab, you are can be confident that the old times of unscrupulous diamond practices can be left in the past. Diamond mining moves 250 tons of earth, use 12 gallons of water, and releases 143 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Also, diamonds are nearly impossible to trace, leading to unethically mined diamonds reaching the marketplace. Despite the high value of precious metals and gemstones, many of these communities very often live in poverty without basic necessities like running water and electricity. Problems like these are where the diamond industry gets its unethical reputation.
Lab-grown diamond certification
Lab-grown diamonds undergo the same certification process as mined diamonds. They are sent to the same labs as mined diamonds. They are the same as mined diamonds as they both come in varying colors, clarity, cut, and carat.
Lab-grown diamonds are cost conscious
Lab-grown diamonds undergo the same certification process as mined diamonds. They are sent to the same labs as mined diamonds. They are the same as mined diamonds as they both come in varying colors, clarity, cut, and carat.
Can you tell the difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are hardly possible to be distinguished between. The differences between these take a specially trained gemologist to distinguish with technical tools designed for that exact reason. The two factors that allow these gemologists to decern the difference come from the way that the diamonds is created, however, these don’t diminish the quality of the stone at all. These stones carry the same qualities of clarity, color, fluorescence, and sparkle as their mined counterparts.
Why choose Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are REAL diamonds, they are not fake or cheap. They are not a knock-off, a simulant, or look-alike. Lab grown diamonds can only be evaluated by jewelry professionals using special equipment for proper identification.
Lab grown diamonds come in every shape and carat weight, making them perfect for your purchasing specifications--at a fraction of the price of natural diamonds. Lab grown diamonds come in not only white, they are also available in fancy color diamonds, including yellow, blue, and pink. These fancy color diamonds often have a rich saturation, perfect for those who love vibrancy and show-stopping sophistication.
Do you dream of a particular engagement ring, anniversary ring, diamond wedding band, or other fine jewelry design and worry about the cost? Lab grown diamonds are the best choice for making your dreams come true. Make a statement in elegance and feel good knowing you chose something that is not a part of the natural diamond’s mining process and supply chain when you choose lab grown diamonds.
