A Lab diamonds are composed of 100% carbon crystallization and are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds – in contrast with cubic zirconia which does not contain any such crystalline carbon structures.
Lab grown diamonds also do not face the ethical concerns that arise with traditional mined ones, such as land displacement, child labour and human rights violations – an advantage many prefer when buying lab diamonds over their more conventional counterparts.
Chemically
Diamonds, whether mined from the earth or grown in laboratories, are made up of crystallized carbon and lab grown diamonds are considered real due to their chemical and physical properties and certified by either Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) or International Gemmological Institute (IGI).
Lab grown diamonds can be produced using one of two processes; Chemical Vapour Deposition or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). HPHT uses natural graphite as its starting material and applies extreme heat and pressure for diamond growth – unlike Earth mined diamonds, HPHT Diamonds do not contain impurities and pose no negative environmental impact.
Lab grown diamonds are environmentally-friendly processes that avoid displacement of communities and exploitative mining environments that threaten workers. Furthermore, lab diamonds utilize less raw material than natural ones and require much less land for excavation purposes compared to larger lab grown diamonds containing trace amounts of boron that remain after growth has taken place. However, some larger laboratory-grown stones may still retain a blue tint due to unavoidable trace elements in their growing process which leave some blue tinting.
Physically
Lab grown diamonds are known by several different terms; such as laboratory-created, synthetic, and cultured and artisan made. While the terms may be unfamiliar to consumers, they all refer to real diamonds that have been grown in laboratories.
General Electric (the famous refrigerator maker) first pioneered lab-created diamonds for industrial applications back in the 1950s. By 1970s they introduced gem-quality lab created diamonds through high pressure high temperature (HPHT) processes.
The HPHT process replicates natural diamond formation by subjecting carbon starting material (usually graphite) to extreme pressure and temperature conditions that cause it to transform into diamond.
This process results in an extremely strong and durable gem. The Gemmological Institute of America evaluates lab grown diamonds according to four criteria – colour, clarity, cut and carat weight – before awarding grades based on these four C’s.
Optically
Lab-grown diamonds (commonly referred to as cultured or man made) have made waves in the diamond industry. While often mistaken for other imitation diamonds like cubic zirconia and moissanite, lab created diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically equivalent to mined ones.
Chemical vapour deposition is the go-to technique for growing diamonds in laboratories. The process begins by taking either an existing diamond, either natural or lab grown, as a seed material and placing it into a special chamber at high temperatures and pressures; after exposure the carbon atoms will combine with hydrogen atoms to form new crystals of diamond.
Lab produced diamonds do not appreciate in value over time like natural diamonds do; rather they represent a luxury purchase meant to represent commitment and love. Their resale value depends solely on market forces; customers determine its resale price when selling it back onto them.
Price
Diamonds have long been seen as a sign of commitment and love, yet their price can add up quickly. However, lab grown diamonds are significantly less costly than their natural counterparts and you could save up to 80% when shopping for engagement rings featuring one as its centre stone!
Due to increased production technology for lab grown diamonds and lower prices, their availability and price have become more readily accessible than their earth mined counterparts.
Conclusion
Lab grown diamonds start as small carbon pieces known as diamond seeds that are placed into an HPHT chamber and exposed to high temperatures and pressures for approximately 8-12 hours, creating conditions in which carbon molecules bond together into an exact replica of natural diamond crystal structures. Once created, lab grown diamonds are graded by the Gemmological Institute of America for cut, clarity, carat weight grade by similar organizations who grade mined stones.
