Lab-Grown Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know

LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS

Lab-grown diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds created by scientists in laboratories. They share the same chemical and atomic composition as natural diamonds and are optically identical. The biggest difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is how they have been created.

These diamonds, also known as lab-grown diamonds, are becoming increasingly common in jewelry, which can raise a number of questions about their quality, characteristics, or value. Therefore, in this blog, we will try to answer all the questions you may have.

ARE LABORATORY DIAMONDS REAL?

Lab-grown diamonds have an identical chemical composition to natural diamonds; both are made of pure carbon in a cubic crystalline form.

The big difference between the two is how they are formed. Natural diamonds form beneath the earth over millions of years, while lab-grown ones are created in a laboratory in just a few weeks.

To understand it better, the difference between natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds could be compared to the difference between ice that forms in nature and ice that is made in a freezer. The ice is chemically identical; what changes is the creation process.

HOW ARE LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS MADE?

Currently, lab-grown diamonds are produced using two methods:

• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)In this case, a diamond seed (a tiny diamond) is placed in a chamber called a plasma reactor. When the temperature rises to thousands of degrees, the gas molecules break apart and the atoms bond to the seeds, thus growing a layer.
• Through high pressure and high temperatures (HPHT)This method mimics the conditions under which natural diamonds are created. This method is more costly and less energy-efficient.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR DIAMONDS TO FORM?

Diamonds in nature take millions of years to form, while lab-created ones can produce a one-carat stone in just a couple of weeks.

ARE LABORATORY DIAMONDS THE SAME AS DIAMOND IMITATIONS?

By diamond imitations, we refer to synthetic stones such as cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are widely used in jewelry due to their affordable price. These imitations are completely different from diamonds, as they do not share the chemical composition of a diamond at all. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds; the only difference is that their formation is much faster thanks to science.  

How can you differentiate a lab-grown diamond from an imitation?

Although at first glance they may seem similar, diamond imitations are not as hard and do not have the same optical properties as lab-grown diamonds, which means they will show signs of wear and will not be as brilliant.

HOW MUCH DO LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMONDS COST?

The price of lab-grown diamonds is lower than that of natural diamonds, but since they have the same properties, chemical composition, and a complex and costly creation process, their price remains high.

The price of natural diamonds varies based on size, cut, color, and clarity, as this increases the rarity and value of these stones. In lab-grown diamonds, this rarity is eliminated, allowing for lower prices.

ARE LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS MORE SUSTAINABLE?

To begin with, it is important to note that compared to any other industry, the jewelry industry in general, and in this case diamonds, is a very sustainable industry, as it involves high-priced products that require thoughtful and responsible purchasing and are 100% recyclable since they do not lose any properties.

That said, it is true that lab-grown diamonds can be more sustainable than natural ones on paper, as mining causes irreversible damage to the natural environment. However, it is also true that there are very few diamond mines in the world, and many are located in very remote areas with little vegetation. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds, being created in laboratories, do not involve extraction and therefore do not cause any harm to the environment. However, we must also consider that there are more and less polluting production methods when it comes to manufacturing these diamonds, as they require a lot of energy and water. 

Therefore, we can say that lab-grown diamonds are more sustainable than natural ones, especially if they have been created using a sustainable method, such as using hydroelectric energy to achieve the high temperatures needed to create a diamond.

Discover the New Gold Earrings with Lab Diamonds

In Secret & You we are characterized by being a brand specialized in cultured pearls. Pearls are the most sustainable gems that exist, as they are created by oysters and mussels in pearl farms, rather than being extracted from the earth. Therefore, when creating designs with diamonds, depending on the type of pearl and its value, we will use both natural and lab-grown diamonds to ensure that the piece has coherence in all its elements. It goes without saying that we will indicate the type of diamond in every case.