A lab-created diamond is also known as a lab-grown or man-made diamond. A lab-created diamond is grown or made in a lab using cutting-edge technology resulting in a diamond that is chemically and physically the same as a natural diamond that is grown underground. It’s important to note that lab-created diamonds are not fakes. When compared with other popular diamond stimulants manufactured diamonds are indeed the real deal.
There are two processes used to grow diamonds, the first is the High-Pressure High Temperature method. These diamonds begin as small diamond seeds that are then placed into carbon. Then using either a belt press, a cubic press or a split-sphere press the seed is exposed to temperatures of around 1500 ° and pressurised to around 1.5 million pounds per square inch. The carbon then melts to form a diamond around the starter seed which is then cooled to form a pure carbon diamond.
The second process is Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). These diamonds begin as a thin slice of diamond seed which is placed in a sealed chamber and heated to around 800°. The chamber is then filled with carbon-rich gas, like Methane. The gas is ionised into plasma using technology similar to a microwave. This ionisation process breaks the molecular bonds in the gases allowing the carbon to cling to the diamond and crystallise.
These processes are a recreation of the process that a mined diamond experiences. While we don’t know for sure how mined diamonds came to be, scientists believe the process starts with carbon dioxide that is exposed to high heat and then placed under extreme pressure. The diamonds are then brought to the Earth’s surface due to volcanic explosions.
After the diamonds are grown they are sent to be graded. A diamond is graded on the 4c’s - cut, clarity, colour, and carat. Basically, it is judged on how well it has been cut down from its raw form into a jewel, how large it is and how flawless it is. Each diamond is graded by several gemologists, these grades are then compiled and analysed to determine the final grade. The process results in each diamond being given an unbiased grade but it isn’t uncommon for a diamond to be given a different grade if sent back for a second grading as some grading houses differ in their standards.
Lab-grown diamonds cost between 10-40% less expensive than mined diamonds meaning you can get a bigger stone for your budget. Additionally, you can upgrade the clarity and colour giving you a unique stone at a lower price. Why do lab-created diamonds cost less? Lab-created diamonds have a much shorter supply chain as they don’t require miners and distributors which ultimately makes them less expensive.
Lab-grown diamonds do not have any dirt or impurities as they are not mined naturally. They have fewer defects or impurities as they are made in a controlled environment under careful laboratory conditions. The absence of these defects means that the diamond is likely to be brighter, whiter and cleaner with less impurities.
Mining a diamond can damage the earth because for every carat of diamond that is mined, nearly 100 square feet of land is disturbed. The mining also uses lots of fossil fuels whereas manufactured diamonds may use a lot of energy but this often comes from renewable sources. With the demand for diamonds on the rise man-made diamonds are often seen as the more sustainable choice. Lab-grown diamonds cause little to no environmental damage using only a fraction of the carbon footprint compared to natural mined diamonds.
Lab-created diamonds are continuing to grow in popularity but the choice is yours. You might choose a mind diamond for the significance they hold and its mysterious origin or you may decide on a lab-created diamond for its eco-friendliness. Ultimately it’s not about which is better as you don’t choose a diamond because of its origin, grading or size but because of the love it represents. For more information about our diamonds contact us.
