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Lab grown diamonds are transforming the jewelry industry worldwide. They have gained popularity at a staggering pace in recent years, with major jewelry conglomerates and watch brands joining the transition. Lab grown diamonds are exactly the same as natural diamonds in virtually every way. It is optically, chemically, and physically the same. Mined diamonds are 100% pure carbon, as are lab grown diamonds. The only difference is where they originated. Natural mined diamonds are formed under heat and pressure in the earth, over the course of billions of years. Lab grown diamonds are formed in machines in a lab setting over the course of a few weeks.
Traditional diamond mining leaves unsightly stadium-sized craters all over the Earth. This practice displaces wildlife and native populations. Run-off from the mining operations pollutes water sources and leave the land uninhabitable. The mining process also causes erosion and contaminates the soil for many years.
The use of heavy machinery such as cranes, excavators, bulldozers and heavy duty dump trucks used in mining operations exasperates efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and slow climate change.
Diamonds grown in a lab does not require large mining operations. This makes the process eco-friendly and sustainable.
A less-discussed benefit of lab grown diamonds is the positive social impact it makes worldwide. Many couples face societal pressure to "keep up" when it comes to milestone jewelry. The desire for a larger and higher quality diamond often lure people into lasting debt. Lab grown diamonds, being substantially less expensive than a mined one, makes jewelry shopping a lot less stressful.
Consumers now have more choices than ever when it comes to diamond selection. This more affordable real diamond option opens the door to underserved communities and thus promotes inclusion. Everyone deserves a beautiful, one of a kind diamond ring.
The general idea behind the lab grown diamond process is to use a machine that replicates the conditions that form carbon crystals hidden in the Earth. Scientists have spent years researching, developing and eventually perfecting the process.
CVD Method
The Chemical Vapor Deposition method involves placing smaller diamonds, known as seeds, into a chamber and filling it with heated hydrogen and carbon-containing gases. With extreme heat, the gases eventually break down leaving only the carbon to form around the seed. Over a few weeks, this process creates a much larger carbon crystal than the original seed and is then removed from the chamber. The raw crystal at this stage is then sent to a gem cutter for finishing.
HTHP Method
The High Pressure High Temperature method aims to replicate the exact process that natural diamonds are formed in the Earth over millennia. That is, using a machine to apply extreme heat and pressure to small carbon pieces, crushing them and forcing them to melt and bond to a smaller diamond seed. This process creates a much larger diamond that is then sent to gem cutters for final finishing.
How Do Lab Diamonds Compare to Natural?
A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. It will look visually identical to a natural diamond with the same specs. It will shine the same, wear the same, and pass diamond testers.
Both lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are chemically and physically the exact same. Both are made of pure carbon. Both are ranked 10 out of 10 on the mohs hardness scale, making diamonds the hardest substance on Earth. A lab grown diamond will last just as long as a natural diamond.
Why Do Grown Diamonds Cost Less?
The reason why lab grown diamonds are significantly less expensive is not because they are inferior in any way. The reason simply comes down to operation costs and expenses associated with delivering the final product to consumers. Lab grown diamonds simply cost a lot less to produce.
With natural diamonds, operation expenses include paying for the land purchase or mining rights, planning, local permitting, machinery, transportation, manpower and everything else associated with the enormous undertaking of mining diamonds. Then there are further administrative expenses such as higher taxes and duties for importing expensive items, and higher insurance costs for the overall operation. All of these expenses are passed on to the consumer.
Is a lab diamond considered fake?
The answer to this is an unequivocally no. A fake means that something is not authentic or it is an imitation of an original. A diamond is not a name brand or intellectual property. It is a material, a universal substance, and therefore authenticity is irrelevant. It is also not an imitation of a diamond because it IS a diamond in literally every way.
The best analogy is to think about the world before refrigerators. Ice was only created in nature. Now, we all make ice in the fridge and we don't think twice about it. It's not "fake" ice, nor is it an imitation of natural ice. It IS ice. It is frozen H2O molecules created by technology instead of cold weather.
A lab grown diamond is simply a diamond that was created with modern technology.
How do I care for Lab Diamond Jewelry?
Lab grown diamonds are very easy to care for. You would treat them exactly like natural gemstones. Any store bought liquid diamond cleaner would be safe to use. The easiest at-home solution is to mix warm water with a few drops of hand soap or window cleaner. The stones can be cleaned with this solution using a soft or old toothbrush. Carefully and thoroughly clean all sides of the jewelry item or stone, then rinse with lukewarm water. Your diamond jewelry will look new once again!
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified?
Lab grown diamonds are recognized and certified by leading gemological laboratories such as the The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI) , and The American Gem Society (AGS). They are graded by the same scale and scope as natural diamonds, including the 4 C's.
All of the center stones are use for our lab diamond engagement rings are certified for peace of mind. We also have a strict standard for diamonds used on our pieces. We only source lab grown diamonds that are G color or higher, and VS clarity or higher.
