Why Lab Grown Diamonds?
Mining Free
Lab created diamonds are a responsible choice given that no mining is required.
Beauty & Quality
Man made diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds.
Value
Lab created diamonds offer excellent value, and are slightly more affordable than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality.
What Are Man Made Diamonds?
Man made diamonds, also known as engineered or cultured diamonds, are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop when they form in the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. These man made diamonds consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they exhibit the same optical and chemical properties.
Our lab grown diamonds are now readily available in a variety of colorless ranges. Cultured diamonds are also available in fancy colors that are considered very rare in nature, including popular hues of vivid fancy yellow. Fancy colored lab diamonds sell at comparatively reasonable prices compared to their natural colored diamond counterparts.
Lab Grown Diamond Search
Shop our extensive collection of lab created diamonds.
How Are Lab Diamonds Made?
Our lab created diamonds are grown from the tiny carbon diamond seeds of pre-existing diamonds. Advanced technology – either extreme pressure and heat or a special deposition process known as CVD – mimics the method of natural diamond formation. Some lab diamonds grown through deposition may also undergo pressure and heat treatment after they are grown. Lab grown fancy colored diamonds are formed when small amounts of specific trace elements are present during the growth phase of the created diamond, just like in nature. In both white and fancy colored lab diamonds, the exact composition of trace elements may differ from their natural diamond counterparts. A lab diamond can only be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth.
Lab Grown Diamonds vs. Diamond Simulants
It is important to note the major distinction between lab diamonds and diamond simulants. Diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, look similar to diamonds but are not true carbon crystals. Simulants do not have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds and therefore sell at much lower prices than man made diamonds. Simulants can be distinguished from natural or lab grown diamonds using only the naked eye.
Natural and lab grown diamonds have thermal conductivity properties that differentiate them from cubic zirconia with a handheld diamond tester. Some lab diamonds, along with some natural colored diamonds, may be mistakenly identified as moissanites when using certain diamond testers due to similarity in their electrical conductivity. However, gemologists can typically distinguish between diamond and moissanite due to their differing refractive properties, with moissanites being double refractive and diamonds being single refractive. Learn more about moissanite vs. diamond.
Lab Created Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
Our lab grown diamonds display the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds, and exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle. Using a jewelry loupe, man made diamonds are nearly impossible to differentiate from natural diamonds. Lab created diamonds may exhibit different trace elements than natural diamonds that do not affect the appearance of the diamond.
What Are The Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds?
A diamond that is created in a lab is just as real as a mined diamond. They have the same physical and chemical properties and are grown under the same temperature and pressure conditions, but without the conflict and questionable ethical practices that are common in some diamond mines. In fact, lab-grown diamonds are often of better quality due to the highly controlled environment and fully monitored process. Some of the biggest advantages of a lab-grown diamond include:
- More beautiful due to better, brighter quality and higher purity
- Fewer defects
- Environmentally friendly
- Greater affordability
- Colors that are rarely found in nature can be created, making unique and coveted pieces more obtainable
- Trackable origin sources allow you to source diamonds from reputable places that don’t engage in poor treatment of workers or communities
Lab-grown diamonds are created through a sustainable process using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), making it easier to keep up with demand without sacrificing quality or engaging in harmful processes or conflicts.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified And Graded?
All lab-grown diamonds are treated the same as mined diamonds. Once they are ready, they are sent to an independent gem lab to be certified by an expert.
The process for grading lab-grown diamonds is the same as traditional diamonds and focuses on the cut, clarity, carat, and color of each gemstone. The cut is responsible for the brilliance of the diamond, and arguably the most important factor. Clarity refers to the appearance and lack of cracks and defects. When referencing clear diamonds, the lack of color makes a higher grade. Finally, carat is the measure of the diamond’s size and weight. Each diamond is examined carefully and assigned a quality rating.
A piece of diamond jewelry can be a wonderful gift for yourself or someone you love. Diamonds are highly versatile and can be worn as everyday jewelry, or for special occasions. When you choose a lab-grown diamond, you can invest in a high-quality and stunning piece that is also ethical and environmentally friendly.