Lab Grown Diamond buying guide

What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds produced in a controlled setting. They are grown in two ways: a High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) process that mimics their natural formation in the Earth, or a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. Both processes begin with a pure carbon seed arranged in a crystalline structure and result in a lab diamond that is identical to a mined diamond. Lab grown diamonds are available in colorless ranges and rare fancy colors.

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real?

Yes, lab grown diamonds are as real as natural diamonds are. Their only difference is origin: lab created diamonds are grown in laboratory settings, while natural diamonds form deep in the Earth. Chemically, physically, and optically, lab diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, with the same hardness, brilliance, and fire. 

A common misconception is that lab created diamonds lack certain qualities of natural diamonds, but they are indistinguishable—only experts using advanced laboratory equipment can detect subtle differences in their growth patterns.  

Lab diamonds also undergo the same grading process as natural diamonds: an assessment of the four Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Reputable gemological labs, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), certify lab created diamonds using the same standards as those applied to natural diamonds.

Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamond

The only difference between natural and lab created diamonds is where they come from. Natural diamonds form deep beneath the Earth’s surface under extreme conditions of heat and pressure over billions of years. In contrast, lab diamonds are produced in weeks to months from diamond seeds with the same chemical composition as natural diamonds. Without specialized equipment, it’s nearly impossible to tell lab created diamonds apart from natural ones. Though there are no physical differences between the two, here's how they contrast:

Origin 

Lab-grown diamonds are produced in a controlled laboratory setting, whereas natural diamonds are extracted through mining from the Earth.

Price 

Lab grown diamonds typically cost less than natural diamonds of comparable quality.

Rarity 

Natural diamonds are much rarer than lab-grown diamonds. Because of their limited quantity, natural diamonds have been cherished for their enduring value and passed from generation to generation.

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

Lab grown diamonds start as tiny carbon seeds from pre-existing diamonds. Two primary techniques are used to create lab diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods simulate part of the natural diamond-forming process, resulting in high-quality gemstones that match mined diamonds in every way. After six to ten weeks, a rough diamond is created, then cut, polished, and set in jewelry.

Types of Lab Grown Diamonds

With the naked eye, it’s impossible to differentiate between natural diamonds, HPHT lab diamonds, and CVD lab diamonds; only experts can identify subtle markers related to growth conditions. Both methods yield real diamonds with no differences in durability or quality, differing only in growth patterns and production time.

High Pressure High Temperature Lab Diamonds 

This method mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form inside the Earth. A diamond seed is placed in a chamber and subjected to intense heat (over 2,000 degrees Celsius) and pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch). The carbon atoms in the chamber bond with the seed, crystallizing into a diamond. 

Chemical Vapor Deposition Lab Diamonds

CVD diamonds grow when a thin piece of diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with a carbon-rich gas mixture (typically methane and hydrogen) that’s heated to break down the gas molecules. Carbon atoms settle onto the seed, building layer by layer until the diamond reaches its desired size. Some CVD diamonds undergo additional pressure and heat treatment after growth.

Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds?

To the naked eye, lab grown and natural diamonds are indistinguishable. However, trained gemologists can detect minor differences in their growth structure and inclusions under high magnification. Specialized equipment can identify growth patterns unique to lab created diamonds, such as certain fluorescence patterns and distinctive internal structures. 

Identifiers of Lab Grown Diamonds: 

  • Internal Growth Patterns: HPHT and CVD diamonds may exhibit growth patterns that slightly differ from the octahedral growth pattern in natural diamonds. These slight differences are only visible with gemological equipment. 
  • Inclusions: Natural diamonds often contain inclusions from natural minerals, while lab created diamonds may contain metallic inclusions or other markers related to the growth process. 
  • Laser Inscription: Many lab created diamonds are inscribed on the girdle with a microscopic mark indicating their lab origin.

Why choose lab grown diamonds

By choosing lab grown diamonds, you can get more carats and more sparkles at a lower price. Lab grown diamonds are of superior quality in terms of clarity and purity.Diamonds grown under controlled conditions have very few inclusions and flaws, making them more pure and flawless.This means that lab grown diamonds have the potential to be even more brilliant than diamonds that are mined locally.The process of creating lab-grown diamonds also offers a wider choice of colors and grades.In the past, certain colors and grades of diamonds were very rare and therefore extremely expensive.However, lab-grown diamonds are free from these limitations and offer a wide range of stunning options.

Lab-grown diamonds have become an increasingly popular choice for jewelry, offering several compelling benefits over natural diamonds:

Superior Quality and Purity

Lab-grown diamonds are often of higher quality and purity compared to natural diamonds. Due to the controlled environment in which they are created, lab diamonds typically have fewer inclusions and flaws
This results in diamonds that are whiter, brighter, and generally better in quality.The production process allows for greater control over characteristics such as size, color, and clarity, making it easier to produce diamonds with specific desired attributes

Cost-Effectiveness

One of the most significant advantages of lab-grown diamonds is their affordability. They are typically 60-90% less expensive than natural diamonds of comparable quality
This price difference allows consumers to purchase larger gemstones or higher-quality diamonds within their budget
The lower cost is primarily due to the more efficient production process, which requires less time, fewer resources, and less labor compared to mining natural diamonds

Ethical and Environmental Considerations

Lab-grown diamonds are often considered a more ethical and environmentally friendly option:
  • Reduced Environmental Impact: Diamond mining can have significant environmental consequences, including large-scale land disruption and high carbon emissions. Lab-grown diamonds generally have a smaller environmental footprint
  • Ethical Production: Lab-grown diamonds circumvent concerns related to conflict diamonds or unethical mining practices

Wider Range of Options

The lab-grown process offers more flexibility in producing diamonds with specific characteristics:
  • Color Variety: Lab-grown diamonds can be created in a wider range of colors, including some that are rare or extremely expensive in natural diamonds
  • Customization: The controlled production process allows for more customization in terms of size, color, and quality

Technological Advancements

As a product of modern technology, lab-grown diamonds represent scientific innovation in the jewelry industry. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds, certified by reputable organizations like the GIA.

 

  • Carat

    Indicates the diamond's weight, with larger carat sizes typically being rarer and more valuable.

  • Color

    Evaluates how colorless a diamond is, with grades ranging from completely clear to noticeable yellow or brown hues.

  • Cut

    Refers to how well a diamond is shaped and faceted, affecting its brilliance and sparkle.

  • Clarity

    Measures the presence of internal inclusions or surface blemishes, impacting a diamond's flawlessness.

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