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Lab grown diamonds, also known as lab created or man-made diamonds, are diamonds produced in highly controlled laboratory environments. These diamonds share the exact same physical, optical, and chemical properties as natural, earth-mined diamonds. Both possessing the same carbon atom crystal structure, which grants them their exceptional hardness and brilliant beauty.
The process of creating lab grown diamonds mimics the conditions required for natural diamond formation: carbon, intense heat, and high pressure. The primary difference is the environment in which these conditions are replicated. While natural diamonds form deep within the Earths mantle over a billion years, lab- grown diamonds are created through advanced technological processes in a fraction of the time.
Lab grown diamonds are indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye and require specialized equipment to identify subtle differences. This innovation provides an ethical and sustainable alternative to traditional diamond mining, addressing concerns related to environmental impact and labor practices in the mining industry.
Additionally, lab grown diamonds often come at a lower price point compared to their natural counterparts, making them an attractive option for high-quality diamonds at more accessible prices.
The process that lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds go through are very different.
Natural diamonds go through a process that takes a few billion years to complete. It occurs when carbon deposits deep below the earth’s surface are exposed to high temperatures and pressure, causing the carbon atoms to bond together and slowly form a crystal.
Lab grown diamonds are created from tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds. Using advanced technology these seeds undergo one of two growing processes. Either High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). These methods mimic the process of natural diamond formation. Quite simply the HPHT method mimics the conditions in which natural diamonds are formed inside the earth and CVD is when a diamond seed is placed in a small, vacuum chamber filled with heated hydrogen and carbon-containing gasses.
It is very difficult to see the difference between natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds, whether grown via the HPHT method or CVD method, with the naked eye, only trained gemologists can distinguish the differences by analyzing identifying markers caused by the growth process.
In 2018 the Federal Trade Commission recognized Lab Diamonds as real. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has been grading laboratory-grown diamonds since 2007. Beginning July 1, 2019, GIA Lab Grown Diamond Reports and identification reports no longer use the term “synthetic.” The GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report includes the standard GIA color, clarity and cut grading scales for reference purposes.”
An expert gemologist may be able to tell the differences between these two types of diamonds when comparing their trace inclusions but without specialized equipment they appear the same.
Visually, Lab Grown Diamonds are exactly the same with the same hardness level and durability as Natural Diamonds. These gems both have the same refractive qualities, chemical composition and strength.
Our lab grown diamonds display the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds, and exhibit the same sparkle, fire and scintillation. Thus, making them an ideal choice for those looking for a budget friendly alternative to natural diamonds.
Diamond simulants are composed of materials that may have the appearance of a diamond but differ highly in quality factors. Lab grown diamonds have the exact same physical and chemical make up as a genuine natural diamond. Therefore, having the same durability and lifetime sparkle which is not true for diamond simulants.
Diamond simulants have a very different chemical makeup from real diamonds. Diamonds are the hardest material in the world, and they have many unique qualities, like their unique refraction (which gives them their incredibly beautiful shimmer). Diamond simulants will not have these highly desired properties, so they tend to sell for far less than both lab grown diamonds and natural mined diamonds.
The most common diamond simulants are cubic zirconia and moissanite. Both of these clear materials may look like diamonds to the untrained eye, but a jeweler or gemologist will easily be able to tell the difference between a diamond simulant and a diamond just by looking at it with the unaided eye. A jeweler or gemologist will also be able to differentiate these varying stones by their hardness, differing thermal conductivity, and differing refraction.
The Gemological Institute of America is a nonprofit organization that promotes a deeper understanding of gemstones in the trade and the public through education, research, laboratory services and instrument development. It was established in 1931.
GIA standardized the evaluation of diamonds through creating the 4Cs of diamond quality (Color, Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight) and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™, which is recognized globally as the standard for diamond quality. The Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism.
The International Gemological Institute was the first global institute to receive ISO 17025 certification for natural and laboratory grown diamonds. With 50 years of expertise, the 17025 certification is considered the most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world.
IGI operates 30 laboratories around the world grading finished jewelry, natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and gemstones, along with 19 schools of gemology graduating thousands of students annually. IGI’s value system is centered on objectivity, accuracy, consistency, and impartiality, ensuring that each diamond is evaluated according to strict industry standards and criteria without bias or influence.
For over three decades, the European Gemological Laboratories has provided cutting-edge gemological research, testing, and laboratory analysis. This ongoing scientific work reflects the lab’s core commitment to protecting both the industry and its consumers. To that end, EGL USA delivers exemplary evaluations with clear disclosure of diamond, gemstone, and jewelry features, including known treatments.
EGL USA’s main office is located in the heart of New York’s diamond district, where it has provided this unique balance of science and service, since 1977. The lab became independently owned and operated in 1986 and grew to include a west coast office in Los Angeles.
The truth is that, if you’re not a gemologist, you probably can’t. Since lab grown diamonds have the exact same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. So, they will have the exact same crystal-clear beauty and scintillation as earth’s natural counterparts. Even jewelers inspecting a diamond with a loupe will find that it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between a lab created diamond and a mined diamond. It is possible to tell the difference between lab grown and mined diamonds using highly specialized lab tests, since lab grown diamonds may contain different trace elements than mined diamonds. But these tiny elemental differences are something not visible to view with the naked eye.
The process in which each diamond is created greatly impacts the affordability of a diamond. While natural diamonds take about a billion years to form within the Earth’s crust, lab grown diamonds are created in a lab in a matter of a few weeks. Supply is more limited with natural than it is with lab, especially diamonds of a higher quality. With lower production costs and the ability to mass produce, lab grown diamonds offer a much affordable price to consumers.
Like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are very hard and durable and can last forever with proper care. As with all diamonds, they are resistant to scratches but should not endure major impact. Similar to natural diamonds, some shapes can be more prone to chipping when there are points or edges, like the princess cut or pear cut. Always take extra precaution when selecting a setting so it can help protect your diamond.
No, just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds can range in clarity and color grades. Therefore, lab created diamonds with fewer inclusions and higher color grades are generally more valuable and priced higher.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): CVD is when diamond seed crystals are placed in a small, vacuum chamber filled with carbon containing gasses and heated to about 900-1200 degrees Celsius. At a certain temperature, a microwave beam, breaks down the gas molecules and causes carbon to crystallize and deposit onto the seed crystal, growing a more substantial diamond. Some CVD lab created diamonds may also undergo pressure and heat treatment after they are grown.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This method mimics the conditions under which natural diamonds are formed inside the earth. To produce the lab diamond, a diamond seed is placed in a small capsule inside an apparatus capable of generating very high pressures. It is fed a certain amount of carbon material that it then crushes under pressures of over 870,000 lbs. per square inch at extreme temperatures ranging from 1300 – 1600 degrees Celsius.