Lab Grown Diamonds 101

WHAT ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS ?

Lab-grown diamonds (also referred to as man-made, lab-created, or synthetic diamonds) are a popular alternative to natural, earth-mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds possess the same chemical and optical properties as their natural counterparts with the only difference being their origin and how they are created. Lab-grown diamonds are, in fact, “real” diamonds and, to quote the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), “The difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds could be compared to the difference between ice that formed outside on a winter’s day versus ice that formed inside your refrigerator."

• Creation
• Durability & Appearance
• The 4 C’s
• Pricing
• Why choose Lab-Grown?

• The HPHT Method

  is most similar to how natural diamonds are grown in that an environment is created where extreme heat (up to 2200°F) and extreme pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch) are applied to a carbon seed.  After a careful cooling process, pure carbon forms around the original seed which is then used as the rough diamond. In total, this process can take several days to weeks depending on the size of the diamond being created
  
  

• Chemical Vapor Deposition(CVD)

  diamonds are made under less intense conditions and in a slower developing process taking around 6 to 12 weeks. A small diamond seed is placed inside a sealed chamber and subjected to intense heat, sometimes reaching 1500°F. Hydrogen and methane are introduced to the chamber and then ionized to break down molecular bonds thus causing a pure carbon atom to attach itself to the seed. As the carbon builds, it forms atomic bonds with the diamond seed creating one, larger diamond.

Grading:

Lab-grown diamonds come with individual independent grading reports from reputable laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Each diamond has a unique report number which, in many cases, is laser inscribed on the girdle of the stone. Both gemological labs use the same grading system as natural diamonds—with a color range of D to Z and a clarity range of “Flawless” to “Included.”  They will also provide cut, polish, and symmetry grades with an inclusion plot pinpointing the location of any inclusions found within the stone.

Identifying Lab Grown Diamonds:

Because lab-grown and natural diamonds possess the same physical and optical properties, it is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to see any difference between the two. While specially trained gemologists may be able to use a magnifying tool to indicate growth patterns or the presence of elements that would help distinguish one from the other, the most trusted method is to use a testing machine. These expensive tools are usually reserved for laboratories and jewelers and can help identify certain characteristics that would be conclusive of the diamond’s growth origin. A trusted jeweler should always disclose the origin of the diamond and provide a grading report from an independent third party such as the GIA or IGI.