Laboratory Grown Diamonds
A lab-grown diamond, also known as man-made or lab-created diamond) is a diamond that is produced by growing it in a laboratory under high pressure-high temperature or through chemical vapor deposition.
These processes are similar to how natural diamonds are created, but at a much faster rates. The reason they are so popular among many people, but especially among those with a limited budget, is because they have all the same properties as natural diamonds—just without any of the environmental or human rights issues that sometimes accompany traditional mining practices.
Where are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?
Lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab or in a factory. This is why there is no impact on the natural environment of their growth process and they don’t require any mining practices or human rights violations like some traditional diamonds do.
Who Makes Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Scientists have studied the natural process that turns naturally occurring carbon found in the earth’s
mantle into a diamond. This process can now be replicated in a laboratory using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Disposition (CVD), producing diamonds that are chemically identical to natural diamonds.
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 much more affordable than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality.
What are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made of?
Lab-grown diamonds are primarily made of the same materials as mined diamonds, including carbon and sometimes trace amounts of other elements. They do not need to be treated with any chemicals or dyes in order to achieve their colour because they are natural that way.
Lab-grown diamond colours include white (actually colourless), vivid pink to a soft salmon shade, yellow-hued champagne, blue, orange-hued red and greenish blue
hues like Teal.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Ethical?
Lab-grown diamonds are ethical because they can be made with carbon and don’t require mining practices or human rights violations. They also have the same chemical makeup as natural mined diamonds so their quality is just as high.
Who Tests if Lab-Grown Diamonds are Genuine?
Lab-grown diamonds are tested at official gemological laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These tests ensure that they have all of the same properties as natural diamonds so you know that your lab-created gem will last just as long without any damage or special maintenance required.
How to Tell if Your Lab-Grown Diamonds are Authentic
Lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds have the same qualities, so you can use many of the same properties to determine their authenticity. You can take them to an official gemological lab. They will be able to test the stone and give it a grading if it’s genuine or not.
You can also check with the store where you purchased from and ask to see their certificate of authenticity. If they are unable to provide one, then there is a chance that your lab-grown diamond may not be real.
In terms of appearance, look for the same things you would in a natural diamond. A visible outer structure like an octahedral or dodecahedral shape, not perfectly round, good clarity and color with no signs of dyeing or dipping. If they are real lab-grown diamonds, then all of these tests should show that it has all the properties of naturally mined diamonds without any environmental impact.
Lab-grown diamonds are ethical because they don’t require mining practices, human rights violations or chemicals to be produced. They also have the same chemical makeup as natural mined diamonds, so their quality is just as high. If you’re shopping online, make sure that your lab gem comes from a reputable diamond or jewelry retailer and can pass an official test for authenticity.