Lab-grown diamonds are also known as synthetic diamonds. They have become so popular for one obvious reason: ethical and environmentally friendly. They are nearly a match to real diamonds in their properties, both physical and chemical. But exactly how are lab grown diamonds made? This inside scoop pays close attention to the compelling invention of these brilliant gems.
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The Basics of how are lab grown diamonds made
Lab-grown diamonds are produced in very controlled environments with advanced technology. There exist two most significant ways: High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
HPHT is one of the oldest growth techniques developed to produce diamonds. It utilizes the natural conditions under which diamonds form down in the Earth’s mantle. Let’s take a walk through the HPHT process:
- Seed Crystal: A diamond seed is inserted into a press.
- Carbon Source: A carbon source encompasses the seed, usually graphite.
- High pressures and temperatures: the press applies an extreme sort of pressure, on the order of 5 GPa, and high temperature.
- Diamond Growth: With such conditions, the carbon atoms bond onto the seed crystal to slowly grow the diamond.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
CVD is an advanced, newer technique in providing good control of diamond properties. Here’s how it works:
- Diamond-seed: a small diamond seed goes into the vacuum chamber.
- Gas Mixture: The gases, methane and hydrogen, are fed into the chamber.
- Microwave Power: The gases are cracked by the power of microwaves and thus carbon atoms are deposited on the seed crystal.
- In a layer by layer growth: the diamond grows as carbon atoms attach to the seed.
Advantages of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Advantages of the laboratory-created diamonds over the natural ones include
- Ethical Sourcing: They are free from the ethical issues that occur with diamond mining.
- Environmental Impact: Lab-grown diamonds have a smaller environmental footprint.
- Cost Effective: Lab-created diamonds are generally less expensive on average than mined diamonds.
Quality and Characteristics
Actually, there is almost no difference between a lab-created diamond and a natural one. Both have similar physical, optical, and chemical properties. Both HPHT and CVD technologies result in high-quality diamonds that may be graded and certified by gemological institutes.
Clarity and Color
Like in the case of a natural diamond, the clarity and color also vary across lab-grown diamonds. Therefore, by altering the laboratory conditions, one can make a diamond happen, with desired conditions, leading to an increase in demand for fewer inclusions and more desirable colored diamonds.
Making and Tumbling
Once they are fully grown, lab-created diamonds go through all the same processes of cutting and polishing that mined diamonds do. The rough stones are worked into sparkling gems by experienced artisans, just like all the others pictured in consumers’ minds.
Common Myths of Lab Diamonds
There are several myths related to man-made diamonds. Maybe you could debunk the most common ones?
- Myth 1: Lab-Made Diamonds Aren’t Real: Lab-created diamonds are real diamonds and share similar physical and chemical properties with a natural diamond.
- Myth 2: Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Inexpensive. Well, they are definitely much cheaper to mine than diamonds, but in no way are the stones cheap imitations. The process of creating them is complex and expensive.
- Myth 3: Inferior Lab-Grown Diamonds: The belief most people have is that lab-grown diamonds are inferior. Lab-grown diamonds can be equal to and even at times superior.
FAQs of how are lab grown diamonds made
Q: How long does it take to grow a lab diamond?
A: The growth process would take from several weeks up to a few months, depending on the size and quality that the diamond is pursuing.
Q: Is it true that lab-grown diamonds are as strong and durable as natural diamonds?
A: Yes, these lab-grown diamonds are as durable and hard as mined ones.
Q: Can you tell the difference between a lab-created diamond and a natural one?
A: You can’t actually tell the difference without specialized equipment’s almost the same. Even gemologists need really advanced equipment to tell the difference between lab-grown diamonds.
Q: Are lab diamonds a good investment?
A: Although cultured diamonds are valued for ethical and green purposes, the resale value is usually less compared to natural diamonds.
Q: What exactly is the certification procedure for lab-grown?
A: Grading and certification for the quality of lab-grown diamonds is done by organizations responsible for certifying mined diamonds, such as the GIA and IGI.
The Future of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The future of lab-grown diamonds bursts forth, and productive years lie ahead. The advancement of technology will make lab-grown diamonds better in quality and more affordable. In the consumer-driven civilized countries, the increased awareness of ethical and sustainable products among consumers will drive lab-grown diamonds to become popular. If you want to send feedback about our post feel free to contact us here or on our facebook page.