Lab Grown Diamonds

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds (also known as lab created diamonds, man made diamonds, engineered diamonds, and 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 lab created 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.

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

Lab grown diamonds are created from the tiny carbon 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 man made diamonds created through deposition may also undergo pressure and heat treatment after they are grown. Man made 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 man made diamonds, the exact composition of trace elements may differ from their natural diamond counterparts. A man made 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 grown 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 lab created diamonds. Simulants can be distinguished from natural or lab created diamonds using only the naked eye.

Natural and lab created diamonds have thermal conductivity properties that differentiate them from cubic zirconia with a handheld diamond tester. Some lab created 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 Grown 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, lab created 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. Lab created diamonds can be distinguished from natural diamonds only with tests using specialized equipment. Lab created diamonds available for purchase should always come with a gem certification identifying them as laboratory grown.

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 created diamonds are often of better quality due to the highly controlled environment and fully monitored process. Some of the biggest advantages of a lab created 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 created diamonds are grown 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.