Are lab-grown diamonds real? Yes, they are! But what exactly are lab-grown diamonds? And why do some people think they’re less valuable than their mined counterparts?
Let’s dive in to understand what they are and whether they’re a good choice for you.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are just as real as mined diamonds, with the same hardness and chemical composition. The only difference is that they’re produced in a lab rather than mined from the earth.
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a process called HPHT (High-Pressure, High Temperature) Synthesis.
Carbon is forced into an oven under high pressure and heat until it becomes graphite. What emerges is a diamond virtually identical to those mined from the earth.
The History of Lab-Grown Diamonds
GE invented the first ever man-made diamonds in 1954 during their project, Project Super Pressure. They first attempted the project in the 1940s, but the start of World War II postponed work for many years.
So instead, scientists experimented with temperatures and pressures for years in order to create diamonds from carbon.
How To Make Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory by replicating the natural process of creating a diamond. Lab-created, or synthetic, diamonds have the same chemical and physical properties as mined stones and can fool even a jeweler.
The process starts with placing a small carbon sample into a high-pressure, high-temperature vacuum chamber. Then, with the right temperature and pressure, atoms begin stacking on top of each other to form a crystal lattice structure similar to that found in natural diamonds.
It takes about two weeks for enough atoms to come together to be visible under an electron microscope.
Then, it takes another two weeks to grow large enough to see with our eyes. As this goes on, many more carbon atoms flow continuously through the machine until they, too, build up on the growing diamond surface.
Pros and Cons of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Pros
- Lab-grown diamonds are environmentally friendly.
- Lab-grown diamond prices are lower than mined diamond prices.
- You can find them in a wide range of colors, such as blue, yellow, and pink.
- The manufacturing process of lab-grown diamonds is more controlled and thus less likely to contain defects.
- The colorless version of a lab-grown diamond will never turn brown over time like natural-colored diamonds might
Cons
- Because of their low purity grade, many labs cannot produce perfect or almost perfect gem-quality stones.
- Synthetic gems are softer than mined gems because they don’t go through the same geological processes as natural gems.
Differences Between Lab-Grown And Natural Diamonds?
After forming fully lab-grown diamonds, the treatment processes make them different from mined ones. For one, while mining operations remove impurities such as dirt and gravel before cutting a diamond into gems, no such purification is done in lab settings.
Secondly, all lab-grown diamonds undergo heat treatment to increase their brilliance, which isn’t necessary for naturally occurring gems.
Lab-Grown Diamond Price Points
Diamonds are a symbol of love and timelessness. However, they are expensive. Lab-grown diamonds offer an eco-friendly alternative that is sustainable, conflict-free, and affordable.
One kilogram of graphite can produce up to 25 pounds of synthetic diamond, yielding around 100 carats in weight.
Final Thoughts
At 316 Jewelry and Watch, we’re all about being upfront about the process of lab-grown diamonds. We take pride in educating our customers on the science behind these beautiful gems so they can decide which type of diamond is best for them.
Contact us or visit our website if you have any questions or concerns about lab-grown diamonds or any other diamond. We are here to help.