Natural Diamonds VS. Lab-Grown Daimonds
Lab-grown diamonds are identical to earth-mined diamonds in their optical, physical, and chemical properties. They possess precisely the same characterisics as natural diamonds. There is no ‘best’ option, only the best option for you.
Many people assume lab-grown diamonds aren’t "real" diamonds because they’re created in a lab rather than naturally mined. This comparison often leads to the belief that, since lab-grown diamonds aren’t extracted from the Earth’s crust, they don’t qualify as genuine diamonds. But this is far from the truth.
What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Did you know that lab-grown diamonds are completely different from imitations or simulants? They share the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds—the only difference is their origin. It’s remarkable how far technology has come, allowing us to create diamonds in a lab that are nearly indistinguishable from natural ones. In fact, you can’t tell the difference with the naked eye; specialized equipment is needed to determine whether a diamond is lab-grown or naturally mined.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): CVD involves placing a seed diamond inside a small vacuum chamber filled with heated hydrogen and carbon-rich gases. When the temperature is high enough, the gas molecules break down, and layers of crystallized carbon start to build around the seed, forming a larger diamond. Some lab-grown diamonds made with CVD may also undergo additional heat and pressure treatments after the initial growth process.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This method replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form within the Earth. To create a lab-grown diamond, a large machine applies intense pressure—exceeding 870,000 pounds per square inch—to a carbon source, while simultaneously exposing it to extreme temperatures between 1300 and 1600 degrees Celsius.
Why are Lab Grown Diamonds gaining so much popularity?
The lab-grown diamond market is transforming the jewelry industry by blending cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and the enduring appeal of diamonds. This growing segment provides consumers with an ethical and cost-effective alternative to natural diamonds.
This industry has captured the interest of both investors and consumers. Investors are drawn to its high growth potential, innovation, and the chance to be part of an industry rooted in tradition but embracing change. Consumers, meanwhile, are attracted by the affordability, ethical production free of humanitarian concerns, and low environmental impact of lab-grown diamonds.
For consumers, lab-grown diamonds provide an affordable and ethically sourced option. These diamonds are free from the humanitarian issues commonly linked to natural diamond mining and have a significantly smaller environmental impact.