It’s a real diamond identical to mined diamonds, crafted not beneath the earth’s crust, but in a high-tech laboratory. Dive into this article to understand their creation process, how they stack up against mined diamonds, and the ethical and environmental advantages they offer.
Benefits Of Lab Grown Diamonds
-
Beauty
Labgrown diamonds comes with the same shine and sparkle as natural diamonds.
They have same brilliance, fire, and created with modern precision and intention. -
Value
Laboratory-grown diamonds are at a much lower price compared to natural diamonds of the same size and superior quality, without compromise.
-
Ethical Choice
Lab-made diamonds are one of the most common choices of diamonds that have never been mined, for people who would like to purchase a diamond.
Defining Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are dazzling alternatives to their mined counterparts. What sets them apart? Well, despite being grown in a lab, these beauties are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, sharing the exact crystal structure and hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. Crucially, they are not diamond simulants but the real thing.
Even when it comes to the all-important sparkle, both lab grown and mined diamonds stand toe-to-toe, displaying a full range of quality characteristics. So, the next time you come across a lab grown diamond engagement ring, remember, its origin might be the only difference from real diamonds.
Composition and Properties
Explore the composition of a lab grown diamond. You’ll discover it consists of carbon atoms, organised into a diamond crystal structure, mirroring that of mined diamonds. This means the physical, optical, and thermal properties of lab grown diamonds are equivalent to their mined counterparts.
What’s more, lab grown diamonds are known for their exceptional clarity and longevity, ensuring their sparkle doesn’t fade over time.
Appearance and Sparkle
Shifting our focus to appearance, lab grown diamonds are visually indistinguishable from mined diamonds. That’s right, to the naked eye, a lab grown diamond and a mined diamond look exactly the same. Both will sparkle provided they are cut well, a testament to the craftsmanship involved.
From small to large sizes, lab grown diamonds maintain high clarity and colour, contributing to their visual appeal and sparkle. So when you wear that lab created diamond jewellery, rest assured, you’re wearing the epitome of human innovation and beauty.
The Creation Process of Lab Grown Diamonds
The journey from a carbon seed to a sparkling lab grown diamond involves several steps. The answer lies in two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) . These methods, inspired by nature’s way of creating diamonds, use tiny carbon seeds from pre-existing diamonds and mimic the mined formation of diamonds under extreme conditions.
The inclusion of specific trace elements during the growth phase can yield man-made fancy coloured diamonds, a process highly similar to natural occurrences. Each method has its unique attributes, adding to the diversity of lab grown diamonds.
Difference Between HPHT & CVD
-
High Pressure High Temperature (hpht)
The HPHT method has a historical edge, being the original technique for creating lab grown diamonds, established in the 1950s. This process simulates the mined diamond formation environment by exposing a small diamond seed to conditions exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius and 1.5 million PSI.
Mimicking nature, the HPHT method doesn’t guarantee flawless outcomes. You might find some HPHT diamonds with a yellowish hue due to nitrogen exposure, replicating the diverse colours found in mined diamonds.
-
Chemical Vapour Deposition (cvd)
Contrastingly, Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) starts with a diamond seed placed in a vacuum chamber brimming with carbon-rich gases. These gases are heated to approximately 800 degrees Celsius, leading to gas ionisation into plasma and subsequent carbon layering onto the diamond seed.
Compared to HPHT, the CVD method operates under less pressure, utilises smaller equipment, and is preferred for its ability to deliver diamonds with greater clarity and precision in proportions.
Ask a JM Diamond Expert
JM Experts can assist you in choosing an engagement ring, personalizing a wedding band or selecting a special anniversary gift.