Lab grown diamonds are a type of diamond that is created in a laboratory setting.
Lab grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds.
They are much more affordable than natural diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds differ from cubic zirconia and moissanite, and are certified by the same organizations that certify natural diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds have become increasingly popular as an ethical and affordable alternative to natural diamonds. While they have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, they are created in a lab rather than being mined from the earth. In this blog, I will explain what lab-grown diamonds are, how they are made, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they are certified. I will also compare lab-grown diamonds to other diamond substitutes, such as cubic zirconia, moissanite, and natural diamonds, and see how they stack up against these different types of stones.
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as lab-made, lab-created, manufactured, or cultured diamonds, are created in a laboratory setting using advanced technological processes. They have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, meaning they are pure carbon and have the same crystal structure and brilliance.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Hell Yes. As I explained earlier, lab-created and natural diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical. The only difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is that natural diamonds are made under the earth’s surface, and lab diamonds are made in a controlled laboratory.
Just like a test tube baby and a naturally conceived baby are indistinguishable once born, a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond are also indistinguishable once polished. Once a diamond is cut and polished, it is almost impossible to determine its origin, whether it was grown in a laboratory or mined from the earth.
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?
First, we need to understand how natural diamonds are formed to make it easier to know how diamonds are made in laboratories.
Natural diamonds are formed when carbon dioxide deep below the earth’s surface crystallizes under intense heat and pressure. These crystals are brought closer to the world’s surface by volcanic eruptions, where humans mine them. This whole process takes billions of years. Lab Grown Diamond recreates this intense heat and pressure in a controlled environment to grow diamonds. There are two primary processes used to produce diamonds the HPHT Process (High-Pressure, High Temperature) and the CVD Process (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
In the HPHT process, mechanical presses apply extreme pressure and temperature on a tiny diamond seed. Carbon atoms precipitate on the diamond seed layer by layer over a few days, forming a rough uncut diamond.
In the CVD process diamond seeds are placed in a sealed reactor and introduced to a carbon-rich mix of gases. Microwave energy is used to heat these gasses, causing the molecules in the gas to break apart and the carbon atoms to bond to the seed, growing them a layer at a time to form a rough uncut diamond.
How Do Lab Grown Diamonds Compare To Natural Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are virtually identical to natural diamonds regarding physical and chemical properties. The main difference is their origin – one is formed on the earth over millions of years, while the other is created in a matter of weeks in a laboratory. Lab-grown diamonds are often less expensive than natural diamonds, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Why Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds?
For several reasons, someone might choose a lab-grown diamond over a natural diamond. In addition to being more affordable (only 1/3 the price of natural diamonds), lab-grown diamonds are often more environmentally friendly and ethical since they do not involve mining or exploitation of labor and the associated human rights abuses. They are also ideal for those who want to ensure they are not inadvertently buying a conflict or blood diamond.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Ethical and Sustainable?
While lab-grown diamonds are generally considered more ethical and sustainable
than natural
diamonds,
it is essential to note that not all are created equal.
“Eco-friendly” or “Sustainable” is frequently ambiguous and cannot be supported or confirmed.
The
laboratories that create these diamonds use a lot of energy, and the jury is still out on
whether
natural diamond mines or these laboratories use more energy. Yet, one aspect that cannot be
overlooked is that digging big holes in the earth’s surface causes massive deforestation and
harms
the fragile environment, negatively impacting wildlife and the local water supply.
Diamond mines leave gigantic craters on the earth’s surface, some large enough to swallow a
city.
The
earth’s surface and subsurface are dug up, scraped, punctured, contaminated, perforated,
hollow,
and
barren due to these mines. It is widely assumed that natural diamond miners must move 250
tonnes
of
dirt to obtain a single carat of a polished diamond.
Lab-created diamonds, on the other hand, do not displace wildlife, plants, or humans. They do
not
support human rights violations or violence, nor do they pollute neighboring water tables.
How Do Lab Grown Diamonds Compare With Cubic Zirconia?
There is no similarity between cubic zirconia and a lab-grown diamond. Cubic zirconia is a cheap imitation of diamonds lacking the hardness and brilliance of a diamond. A cubic zirconia is chemically totally different and is not even considered a gemstone as it is not found in nature. It sparkles much less than a diamond and can easily be chipped and broken. On the other hand, a lab-grown diamond shares the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as a natural diamond.
How Do Lab Grown Diamonds Compare With Moissanite?
Moissanite is a different silicon carbide gem and significantly cheaper than a diamond. Moissanites are not as hard as a diamond and are of a much lower color. Unlike diamonds, moissanite emits yellow and green tints under light and does not show the same scintillation fire and brilliance of a diamond.
How Do Lab Grown Diamonds Compare With Natural or Earth-Mined Diamonds?
As I mentioned, a lab-grown or manufactured diamond is optically, physically, and chemically identical to a natural diamond. When polished, a lab-grown and natural diamond looks similar, like a test-tube baby and a naturally conceived child. It is tough to tell if a diamond was created in a lab or mined from the earth once cut and polished.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified?
Lab-grown diamonds are certified by various organizations to ensure their quality and authenticity. The same organizations that certify natural diamonds also certify lab diamonds. The most common certification bodies are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI), and Independent Laboratories. These organizations use a range of tests and measurements to verify the quality and characteristics of the diamond, including its carat weight, color, clarity and cut. The certification process assures consumers that they buy genuine, high-quality lab-grown diamonds. It is important to note that not all lab-grown diamonds are certified, and certification is not a guarantee of quality or value.
The Bottom Line:
Lab-grown diamonds are a relatively new alternative to natural diamonds that have recently gained popularity. They offer a more affordable and ethical option for those who want the look and feel of a diamond without the high price tag or the ethical concerns associated with mining. While lab-grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, choosing a reputable company that can independently verify their claims is essential. With proper certification and transparent sourcing, lab-grown diamonds can be an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a diamond. Explore more about lab-grown diamonds at La Joya.
Summary
● Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds developed in a controlled environment in laboratories using either the HPHT Process (High-Pressure High Temperature) or the CVD Process (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
● Laboratory-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to their natural counterparts.
● Lab-made diamonds are significantly less expensive than natural diamonds.
● Cubic zirconia and moissanite cannot compare to a lab-grown diamond’s fire, scintillation, and brilliance.
● Lab-grown diamonds are authenticated by the same agencies that establish genuine diamonds.
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Nishit Mehta
Nishit Mehta is a third-generation diamantaire with over 30 years of experience in the diamond and jewelry industry. With vast knowledge and expertise in making jewelry for other jewelers, Nishit has recently decided to expand his brand, La Joya, in the lab-grown diamond jewelry space. His passion for creating exquisite jewelry has made him a trusted name in the industry.
