Lab-Grown Diamonds

The process of creation of a Lab-Grown Diamond starts with a diamond seed, which is actually a tiny diamond comprising of carbon atoms arranged in specific pattern. The seed is made to undergo CVD or HPHT processes to create the full grown lab diamond.

The CVD technology involves a plasma reactor chamber, wherein the small seed diamond is placed and a mixture of carbon-rich gases is added at a low pressure. Subsequently, microwaves are emitted to heat the gases and generate plasma. As the temperature goes up to a several thousand degrees, the gas molecules break apart which results in the carbon atoms bonding to the seed layer by layer. The layers build up to produce a complete diamond.

HPHT takes place in a mechanical press capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures with high pressure being applied from all sides, much like the pressure that occurs inside the earth’s mantle. Starting with the diamond seed, an organic pure-carbon substance is dropped through a molten metal flux, allowing it to attach to the crystal. This gradually results in formation of new layers of carbon, and ultimately the complete diamond is formed. Whichever the method, it takes several weeks or months to create a diamond, depending on the size, color and other features desired.

By all means, Lab-Grown Diamonds are real diamonds. They contain the same crystalline form of pure carbon that’s found in natural diamonds. Natural and lab diamonds offer the same visual and chemical qualities, and both sparkle with equal, unmatched brilliance.

The process of growing diamonds in a laboratory is so similar to the earth’s naturally occurring phenomena, that just like natural diamonds, no two Lab-Grown Diamonds are alike. Lab-Grown Diamonds may also exhibit minor internal or surface inclusions similar to diamonds that have been formed underground. It is for this reason that the grading of Lab-Grown Diamonds is done on the exact same criteria as natural diamonds - the 4 Cs. All the renowned grading laboratories in the world recognise Lab-Grown Diamonds as real diamonds, and certify them based on the same strict standards as natural diamonds, treating each stone uniquely and grading them all on an individual basis.

Lab-Grown Diamonds may not have the characteristic of being rare like natural diamonds, but they are equally valuable additions to jewellery pieces in terms of beauty, durability and desirability.

As explained above, Lab-Grown Diamonds are real diamonds. On the other hand, diamond simulants do not qualify as diamonds. This is because simulants such as cubic zirconia and moissanite have different chemical compositions that isolate them from the diamond category.

The seed material from which simulants are made is generally glass or cubic zirconia. The end result is an imitation that lacks the hardness and optical properties of Lab-Grown Diamonds. Simulants are cut and polished autonomously by machines to minimize costs and efforts, whereas each and every Lab-Grown Diamond is cut and polished by hand and finally inspected with great attention to detail by expert craftsmen to bring out the precision and brilliance that diamonds are known for.

With the passage of time, simulants are bound to undergo wear and tear in the form of chipping and scratches, and their sparkle would diminish. Such stones are porous, and their porosity is easily identifiable under magnification. Lab-Grown Diamonds on the other hand, are chemically identical to natural diamonds and offer lasting beauty that is passed on to generations.

When comparing a Lab-Grown Diamond and a natural diamond with bare eyes, one would not be able to tell any distinguishable differences. Owing to their same crystalline carbon structures, Lab-Grown and natural diamonds offer the same optical qualities.

The best way to tell them apart is to check the diamond’s certificate. Because of the differences in origin and pricing, grading entities clearly mention whether a diamond is natural or Lab-Grown. Care must be taken to buy lab grown diamonds from trustworthy sources like DiamondXE that only sell certified diamonds, so all the information about the diamond is available.

The price difference in natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds is due to the supply factor. Supply of natural diamonds is limited, due to the billions of years it takes for the earth to create a diamond. There is no such constraint with Lab-Grown Diamonds, and hence a lab grown diamond costs lower as demand can easily be met with the supply.

After Lab-Grown Diamonds are created, cut and polished, they are sent to an independent laboratory to be certified by a grading expert. One feature of a Lab-Grown Diamond is that it can always be traced back to its exact origin; the lab it was created in.

The process for grading Lab-Grown Diamonds is the same as that of natural diamonds and focuses primarily on the cut, carat, color and clarity aspects. Cut influences the light-reflecting ability and brilliance of a diamond and is undoubtedly the most important aspect. Carat measures the diamond's size and weight. Color in a diamond’s context means lack of color fetches a higher grade, whereas clarity refers to the presence or lack of inclusions and blemishes inside the diamond. Each diamond is evaluated carefully on the aforementioned aspects and assigned a quality grade. This process is the universal grading system used for all diamonds, regardless of origin.

When it comes to certification, there is again no difference. The format and parameters included in certificates for both Lab-Grown and natural diamonds are the same. The certificate of a Lab-Grown Diamond contains a clear indication of it such as “Laboratory-grown” or “Laboratory-created”, to differentiate it from mined diamonds.

While Lab-Grown Diamonds are virtually identical to natural diamonds in terms of physical properties, chemical composition and appearance, they are generally free from the environmental concerns and questionable ethical practices associated with some diamond mines. The quality of Lab-Grown Diamonds is also often considered a notch higher due to the highly controlled environment and fully monitored process.

Some notable advantages of Lab-Grown Diamonds are:

• Stunning beauty resulting from better quality and higher purity
• Environment friendly
• Affordability
• Lower occurrence of defects
• Rare colors of fancy natural diamonds can be created and made more obtainable
• Reassurance arising from the fact that the diamond wasn’t sourced through unfair treatment of workers or communities

With the techniques used to create Lab-Grown Diamonds (CVD & HPHT), it easier to keep up with the demand without compromising on quality or engaging in detrimental processes or conflicts.