These diamonds are physically, chemically and visual identical to a natural or mined diamonds. Over the years the popularity for lab grown diamonds has increased as consumers explore the concept of them and the acceptance increases within the diamond industry.
One key question our customers always ask, is it a real diamond? Yes, indeed lab diamonds are real and also certified by GIA, which gives you the guarantee on the quality and specification of the diamond you are purchasing.
At Riari J’Dorn, we offer expertise on understanding the process of how diamonds are created, a lab grown diamond vs natural, grading and certification process. Through a lab diamond, consumers now are able to purchase larger diamonds at a lower price. Have a question or need more information, speak to our experts. Book an appointment with one of our experts to help guide you on your journey with a lab diamond.
Lab created diamonds vs mined diamonds
Two specimens of faceted crystalized carbon - both are crystal clear and give off a kaleidoscope of spectral colours in direct light. They appear to be identical. One, however, is a billion or more years old and the other was recently grown in a laboratory. The main difference is diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, which look similar to diamonds but are not true carbon crystals. Simulants do not have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds and therefore sold at much lower prices than lab grown diamonds. Simulants can be distinguished from natural or lab grown diamonds using only the naked eye.
Lab grown diamonds (also sometimes referred to as man-made or synthetic diamonds) entered the gem and jewellery market about five years ago. Although identical in appearance to natural diamonds, they have very subtle differences that can only be detected by trained gemologists and sophisticated equipment designed for that purpose.
How are lab grown diamonds created?
Man-made diamonds were first produced in a laboratory in the 1950s. While gem-quality diamonds were produced in a laboratory for the first time in 1971, it was not until the mid-2010s that colourless laboratory-grown diamonds entered the gem and jewellery market.
Today, lab grown diamonds are created by two methods; high pressure, high temperature (HPHT). Diamonds are produced in a laboratory by mimicking the high pressure, high temperature conditions that form natural diamonds in the Earth. This process produces a distinctively shaped laboratory-grown diamond crystal.
The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method involves breaking down the molecules of a carbon-rich gas, such as methane, into carbon and hydrogen atoms, which then are deposited on diamond seeds to produce a square-shaped, tabular diamond crystal.
Growing diamonds by either of these methods typically requires less than a month for most sizes. Most CVD-grown diamonds require additional treatments like heat or irradiation to enhance or change their colours after the growth process.
Typically, laboratory-grown diamonds have weighed a carat or less, but as technology and techniques improved, larger stones have appeared in the market.
