Over the course of the last several years, there has been a notable rise in demand for lab-grown diamonds. In 2016, a research was published by Morgan Stanley, which predicted that lab-grown stones may take up 7.5% of the market share in sales of bigger stones Elleroses provides a diamond engagement rings. This came after lab-grown stones first started to seep into the market in 2013. It is unavoidable that there will be a rise in demand for stones of a lower price point as a result of the growing awareness among customers of the remarkable parallels that exist between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
What exactly are diamonds created in a laboratory?
The chemical composition and physical appearance of lab-grown diamonds are identical to those of naturally occurring, mined diamonds. What's the difference between the two? One was created in a laboratory, whereas the other was formed deep inside the earth. Consider it this way: the ice that covers the snowcaps in Antarctica is ice in the same way that the ice that covers the food in your freezer is ice. The sole distinction is in regard to the location.
As a result of mining corporations spreading false information to the public, lab-growns have not always been seen in the most favorable light. This is mostly due to the fact that the disinformation has been fed into the media. Lab-grown diamonds are in every way identical to mined diamonds, despite their history of being referred to as "synthetic diamonds." The Federal Trade Commission ruled in a judgement that "a diamond is a diamond, whether it is made in a lab or emerges out of the ground." This was expressed in reference to a diamond's identity.
What causes natural diamonds to form the way they do?
Carbon atoms that were located many hundreds of miles below the surface of the Earth gave rise to the formation of natural diamonds billions of years ago. These little carbon atoms started to crystallize when they were subjected to intense heat and pressure, and finally they produced rough diamonds. They ultimately find their way closer to the surface of the Earth via volcanic eruptions, where they may be mined and formed into diamonds that can then be polished.
How are Diamonds Created in a Laboratory?
These stones are quite genuine, despite the widespread misconception that they are fake since they were manufactured in a laboratory. Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical characteristics as natural diamonds because they are developed under circumstances that are analogous to those that exist in nature but are produced in a laboratory setting. Both HPHT and CVD, which stands for High Pressure, High Temperature, are used in the creation of these lab-grown diamonds. HPHT is for High Pressure, High Temperature, while CVD refers for Chemical Vapor Deposition.
Extremely High Temperatures and Pressures (HPHT Method)
In the HPHT Method, a carbon seed is subjected to very high temperatures (up to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit) and extremely high pressures (1.5 million pounds per square inch). This creates a condition that is most analogous to the natural process by which diamonds are formed. Following a procedure that involves careful cooling, pure carbon develops around the initial seed, which is then used as the rough diamond. The whole procedure might take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the diamond that is being fashioned.
a process known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
CVD diamonds are produced in circumstances that are less intense and via a slower growing process that takes around six to twelve weeks. A tiny diamond seed is trapped within a chamber and exposed to extreme heat, which may reach temperatures as high as 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The chamber is filled with hydrogen and methane, and it is then ionized to break up the molecular bonds that hold the molecules together. This allows a pure carbon atom to attach itself to the seed. As the amount of carbon increases, atomic bonds are formed between it and the diamond seed, which results in the formation of a single, bigger diamond.
Laboratory-Grown Diamonds' Resilience and Beautiful Appearance
Because lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical and optical qualities as natural diamonds, they also exhibit all of the same features that make genuine diamonds highly sought after for usage in jewelry as well as industrial settings. These attributes include the following: Don't trust us? Take a look at the chart that compares the two!
On the Mohs scale, a lab-grown diamond has a hardness of 10, making it the most scratch-resistant and long-lasting gemstone. Exactly like real diamonds, lab-grown diamonds have a high refractive index, which gives them a dazzling glitter. This property is essential to the diamond's value.
Diamonds created in laboratories are capable of being fashioned into any form that can be achieved by cutting genuine diamonds, including marquise, heart, round, and oval cuts. Because of these qualities, lab-grown diamonds are becoming popular choices for the centerpiece stones of engagement rings.
Color
It is possible for a lab-grown diamond to absorb color during the growing process, which will result in the diamond having a yellow or brown tinge to its appearance and will have a negative influence on its color grade. The more colorless a diamond is, the more desired it is, and the lab-grown diamonds that are in the D-H color range are the ones that are purchased the most often. Because of the higher expenses connected with natural stones, there is a greater readiness to explore diamonds with lower color ranges when dealing with natural diamonds.
Inclusions are flaws that develop inside of a diamond while it is growing; this may happen in both natural and lab-grown diamonds. The presence of inclusions determines a diamond's clarity. These inclusions in synthetic diamonds may be varied depending on the process that was used to develop them, and they can also aid identify between the various forms of formation (natural or lab-grown). Both high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods of growing diamonds utilize catalysts that come from the outside world. During this process, any of the catalysts has the potential to get encapsulated inside the structure of the diamond and turn into an inclusion. Regardless of the form or size of the inclusion, the majority of the time, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) labels all inclusions found inside lab-grown diamonds as "Growth Remnants." The process of cutting a lab-grown diamond may result in the formation of feathers, which are surface-reaching inclusions. Natural diamonds also have the potential to produce feathers.
Cut
Lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished in the same way as genuine diamonds in order to get the maximum amount of sparkle and brightness. Only round brilliant finishes can have their cut grades evaluated since only those finishes' angles, proportions, and measures can be used to quantify the grade. The evaluation of fancy forms, often known as non-rounds, takes into account both their outward presentation and a more comprehensive set of criteria. Cushions and radiants that have been given a premium cut are similar to genuine diamonds in that they have more pointed facets on the pavilion and less concealed weight beneath, both of which contribute to the dazzling look of the cut. Because there are a number of possible changes in the length-to-width ratios for each design, choosing the one that is most suitable for you is entirely a matter of personal choice.
Carat The standard unit of measurement for diamonds is the carat, which refers to how much weight the stone has when it is put on a scale. The carat weight of a diamond is not the only factor that determines the apparent size of the stone when seen face-up; the shape of the stone's cut as well as its depth and proportions are equally important.
Why Are Diamonds Grown in a Laboratory?
There are a number of factors that go into determining whether or not a person decides to go with a natural diamond or a lab-grown one for the centerpiece of their bespoke engagement ring. To begin, it is essential to restate what has been said before, namely that the natural-looking appearance and long-lasting quality of these unique diamonds are identical to those of genuine diamonds. The fact that lab-grown diamonds are obtained in an ethical manner and don't have a negative impact on the natural environment is often cited as one of the reasons why consumers prefer them over real diamonds as a centerpiece stone.
The price point is perhaps the most essential consideration; having something that looks just like a genuine diamond at a price that is a fraction of what a true diamond would cost is incredibly alluring. When compared to the price of natural diamonds, the price of lab-grown diamonds is often discounted by between 50 and 70 percent, depending on the size of the stone. For instance, a natural diamond of 2 carats that is colorless and has a VS clarity may cost $20,000, but a lab-grown diamond with the exact same characteristics could cost roughly $8,000.
As an alternative for the center stone in our customers' engagement rings, we provide them with both natural and lab-grown diamonds to choose from. Every diamond that we offer for sale has been subjected to stringent testing to guarantee not only its provenance but also the high quality and aesthetic appeal of the stone.
