Lets talk about Lab Grown Diamonds
What are Lab Grown Diamonds?
A lab grown diamond has the exact same chemical, physical and visual features as a natural stone, Lab grown are diamonds that have been “grown” in a controlled laboratory setting rather than the ground. Both lab and natural diamonds are made of carbon and will test as a diamond...because they both are! They’re comprised of the same chemical components you'll find in natural diamonds (carbon atoms arranged in a specific pattern). They are virtually indistinguishable in terms of appearance, quality and durability.
How are Lab Grown Diamond made?
Natural diamonds are made when pockets of carbon are put through super-high temperatures (over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) and pressures in the Earth’s mantle over billions of years. Due to volcanic or tectonic activity, these diamonds are eventually brought to the surface.
Lab grown diamonds are created in specially designed laboratories. There are two primary methods of producing artificial diamonds:
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Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamonds: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is when a “seed” crystal or a small diamond is placed in a small chamber filled with heated gasses. At a certain temperature, layers of carbon will begin to form around the seed diamond, growing a more substantial one.
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High Pressure High Temperature Diamonds: The second method is known as High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). As you might have guessed, this method mimics the conditions under which natural diamonds are formed inside the earth. A large machine is fed a certain amount of natural graphite that it then crushes under extreme temperatures and pressures.
Benefits of a Lab grown Diamond?
Beauty- Sparkly and shiny as a natural diamond
Cost- They are made in large amounts in just a few weeks. Making them very cost efficient in compared to a natural diamond.
Difference between Lab Grown and Diamond Simulant?
Lab Grown Diamonds are Diamonds made with the same carbon as a natural diamond.
Diamond Simulants are made from seed materials like glass or cubic zirconia. This fact makes diamond simulants like moissanite, lack the hardness and optical properties of lab grown diamonds. As time goes on, simulants become much more susceptible to wear-and-tear and diminished sparkle. Lab made diamonds, on the other hand, are chemically identical to natural diamonds and offer lasting beauty.
How are Lab Grown Diamonds Graded?
Lab Grown Diamonds are certified and grade the same way as a natural diamond.
That is by using the 4 C's
Cut Color Clarity & Carat.