Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab Grown Diamonds

If you’re in the market for diamond rings and jewelry, then you might want to consider going for a lab grown diamond. Below is a rundown of the benefits of lab grown diamonds, how they compare to natural diamonds, and how they are made.

What are the benefits of lab grown diamonds?

  • They are real diamonds!
  • They are usually a better quality than earth mined diamonds
  • They are less expensive than earth mined diamonds
  • You can get a bigger diamond for a comparable price
  • They are sustainable
  • You now have a choice: “above the ground” diamonds or “below the ground” diamonds

How are lab grown diamonds made?

Method 1 – HPHT

High Pressure-High Temperature

This method starts with a diamond seed crystal placed in a chamber.  It is exposed to a carbon source under extreme heat and pressure, and with the aid of a molten metal flux, carbon crystallizes onto the seed crystal resulting in a rough diamond.

Method 2 – CVD

Chemical Vapor Deposition

 

In this process a diamond seed crystal is placed in a vacuum chamber along with carbon-rich gases, like methane. Then an ionization process occurs which breaks the molecular bonds in the gases, and pure carbon is deposited  onto the diamond seed and begins to crystallize which also results in a rough diamond.

What is the difference between lab grown and earth mined diamonds?

Since lab grown diamonds display the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as diamonds mined from the earth, they also feature the same durability, beauty, and brilliance.  A jeweler using a 10x loupe, a “diamond tester”, and traditional gemological observation and technique cannot tell them apart.  Only a laboratory trained gemologist using highly specialized equipment can reliably identify lab grown from earth mined diamonds.

About diamonds

Since 25,000BC the diamond has been the most sought after gemstone of all time.  A diamond’s incredible brilliance, its unique beauty and fire, along with its incomparable hardness have made the diamond the symbol of love for engagements and very special gifts.