Education
THE TRUTH ABOUT LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds real diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds share the same physical, chemical and optical properties as their mined counterparts. lab-grown diamonds have ushered in a new era of sustainability, offering an environmentally friendly choice at affordable pricing. DeBeers, the largest diamond
mining company in the world for mined diamonds, produce their own range of
Lab-grown diamonds and jewellery. This only ads to the fact that lab-grown
diamonds are 100% Diamond.
Is it possible to tell the difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds?
To the naked eye, distinguishing a lab grown diamond from a mined one is impossible. It's highly unlikely a Jeweller in the professional diamond industry could determine if a diamond is Lab-grown or mined.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced by two methods: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high pressure, high temperature (HPHT). While both offer a controlled environment, the HTHP is more costly and less energy efficient. CVD is a more economical and sustainable process, using vacuum chambers to convert carbon-heavy gasses into plasma with less energy consumption.
How are HPHT diamonds made?
The procedure was created to closely resemble the temperature and pressures of the earth's interior, where natural diamond crystals develop over the course of billions of years. In contrast to the roughly1-3 billion years it takes for natural diamonds to form, the HPHT technique successfully recreates this environment and enables a diamond to form in a matter of weeks! HPHT diamonds are produced using three fundamental manufacturing techniques: the split beer (BARS) press, the cubic press, and the belt press. A little diamond seed enclosed in carbon is placed into each process's high pressure and temperature environment for several days and as the carbon melts, a diamond is formed around the seed until a full-sized diamond is created.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
In this process a diamond is created from a hydrocarbon gas mixture using a recently developed technology called chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is similar to how diamonds arise in interstellar gas clouds. The CVD procedure, which was developed in the 1980s, is widely seen to be the less expensive way to make diamonds because it uses less energy than HPHT.
How are CVD Diamonds made?
A small slice of diamond seed is heated to a temperature of around 800° degrees Celsius in a sealed container before being filled with other carbon-rich gasses, such as methane. Microwaves, lasers, and other devices are then used to ionize the gasses and create plasma. The breakdown of the gasses by ionization makes it possible for the carbon to merge with the diamond seed and grow the diamond layer by layer.
What Is A “Natural” or “Mined” Diamond?
A “natural” diamond is another name for a mined diamond. Officially, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines a diamond as “A mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system.” Whether a diamond is mined or created, both share this chemical composition. The difference and designation between lab-grown and mined diamonds lie in the way in which it is created. Titles like “lab-grown” and “mined” designate origin.
Lab-grown diamonds are also known as man-made or created diamonds. They are produced in a laboratory setting without the negative environmental or human impact of mining. Lab-created diamonds grow in the same way that mined diamonds do, they begin as carbon atoms under extreme heat and pressure, then bond together to form a crystalline lattice structure. They are cut and polished once fully formed to reveal maximum brilliance. And just like mined diamonds, they come in a variety of colour and clarity grades. Lab-grown diamonds are not “synthetic diamonds”. “Synthetic diamonds”, such cubic zirconia and moissanite, are not diamonds and are made from synthesized materials.
What is the FTC?
The FTC is the Federal Trade Commission in the USA.
The Federal Trade Commission works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices.
FTC Drops ‘Natural’ From Definition of Diamond. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has dropped the word ‘natural’ from its definition of a diamond, essentially redefining ‘diamond’ to include non-mined gemstones, as part its new guides for the jewellery industry. It further gives additional leeway to existing standards regarding the description of lab-grown diamonds (and metal alloys) and has dropped ‘synthetic’ as an appropriate descriptor of lab-grown diamonds except under certain circumstances.
FTC Diamond Definition
1. Previous Guides
Section 23.11 addressed the definition and misuse of the word “diamond.” Section 23.11(a) stated: “A diamond is a natural mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system. It is found in many colours. Its hardness is 10; its specific gravity is approximately 3.52; and it has a refractive index of 2.42.”430 The Commission did not propose changes to this section.
2. Comment
Diamond Foundry asked that the Commission remove “natural” from the diamond definition. It contended, “[t]he fact that diamonds exist in the soil of Earth” is “not a necessary attribute.”431
The Commission agrees. The final Guides therefore eliminate the word “natural” from the diamond definition. When the Commission first used this definition in 1956, there was only one type of diamond product on the market – natural stones mined from the earth. Since then, technological advances have made it possible to create diamonds in a laboratory. These stones have essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Thus, they are diamonds. The distinctions between these lab-created diamonds and mined stones are addressed elsewhere in the Guides.433 Because it is no longer correct to define diamonds as “natural,” the final Guides do not include “natural” in the diamond definition.
Do Lab-Grown Diamonds test as real?
Lab-grown diamonds test as diamond because they're made of crystallized carbon, as are mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are graded by independent gemmological organizations such as the GIA and IGI on their cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. Not all lab-grown diamonds are “perfect” and they will differ in colour and quality, just as a mined diamond would.
Lab-grown diamonds are cut, polished, and evaluated by a certified gemmologist, just like mined diamonds.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds conflict free?
Lab grown diamonds are always conflict free! Because they're grown in a lab under controlled conditions, you can be certain they are never involved in conflict, violence, or war. There are many reasons why conflict-free (or for that matter lab created) diamonds are a better option than other types of diamonds.
First, lab-grown diamonds are always conflict free. While this sounds obvious, it is not the case with mined diamonds. There is a possibility that your mined diamond could have been sourced from a conflict zone and funding war crimes, human trafficking or even genocide. Lab-grown diamonds on the other hand are made in a lab using synthetic processes, which means there are no negative consequences for those involved in their production process.
Second, lab-grown diamonds are much more affordable than mined diamonds. This is because they don't require any expensive mining equipment or labour costs to extract them from the ground— they're created in a laboratory. Lab-grown diamonds also have consistent quality because they're grown under strict conditions that ensure every diamond has a high quality every time it's made (unlike mined diamonds). We believe it's time for everyone to have access to lab-grown diamonds as an affordable and ethical alternative to mined diamonds.
What are the advantages of buying a lab-grown diamond?
There are several advantages to buying a lab-grown diamond over a mined diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are often more sustainable, and affordable than mined diamonds, with guaranteed quality and origin.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Better Than Mined Diamonds?
Physically, lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds are equal - one is not better than the other. However, when it comes to human and environmental toll, lab-grown diamonds are better than mined diamonds. The diamond industry has long been linked to human rights abuses and environmentally destructive mining methods. Mined diamonds can never transparently say they are conflict-free. Our Lab-grown diamonds are sold loose or set in jeweller. We have a wonderful selection of loose diamonds for you to choose from as well as a large selection of jewellery designs to view. We can custom make any design, from rings, to pendants, earrings, and necklaces.
Dream Diamonds, Luxury at an affordable price.
References:
https://www.gia.edu/hpht-and-cvd-diamond-growth-processes
https://www.igi.org/education/laboratory-grown-diamonds
What are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab-Grown Diamonds are chemically, optically and physically similar to earth-mined diamonds but are created in a controlled environment making them more ethical and affordable.
These diamonds are “grown” inside a lab using cutting-edge technology that replicates the earth’s natural processes to form diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable by the naked eye from mined diamonds and are 100% conflict free and sustainable.
How are lab grown diamonds made?
While mined diamonds are formed deep in the Earth’s crust over millions of years, lab grown diamonds are grown using cutting edge technology within weeks. Lab grown diamonds can be made using two processes:
The HPHT method:
A “diamond seed” is placed along with carbon in containment chambers. High pressure and high temperatures are applied to mimic the conditions under which mined diamonds are formed. The carbon melts and is carefully cooled to form diamond crystals. The HPHT process can take from hours to weeks, depending on the desired size and quality of the stones.
The CVD process:
Uses low pressures and high temperatures in a vacuum chamber to produce diamonds. Carbon-rich gases such as Methane are introduced into the chamber that crystallize on a diamond seed. CVD can take from days to weeks, depending on the desired size and quality of the stones. However, dozens of stones can be grown at the same time.
Both HPHT and CVD produce diamonds with the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds.
Difference between Mined Diamonds and Lab Grown Diamonds
MINED DIAMOND | LAB DIAMOND | |
FORMATION | Earth Made | Man - Made |
COMPOSITION | Carbon | Carbon |
TIME PERIOD | Created Over Millions of Years | Created In a Month |
ENVIRONMENT IMPACT | Depletes The Environment | Eco - Friendly |
DURABILITY ON THE MOHS SCALE OF HARDNESS | 10 | 10 |
REFRACTIVE INDEX | 2.42 | 2.42 |
PRICE | Expensive | About 75 - 80% less |
How are Lab Grown Diamonds Evaluated?
The 4C’s, colour, cut, carat weight and clarity, together, are used to evaluate the quality of diamonds, and subsequently the value and rarity of the diamond. These characteristics can vary from diamond to diamond and each of the 4C’s contribute equally to the beauty and shine you see on the final finished diamond.
Colour
Diamonds come in a variety of colours ranging from colourless to light yellow to brown. GIA’s D-to-Z scale is the industry standard for colour grading diamonds. Lighter the colour, the more rare the diamond. Many colour distinctions are unnoticeable to the human eye, but these subtle differences can dramatically affect diamond value.
Cut
Often confused with shape, the cut of a diamond refers to how well a diamond's facets interact with light. The quality of the cut is crucial to determining its value. GIA evaluates the cut of a diamond on seven components. The first three; brightness (white light reflections), fire (flashes of colour) and scintillation (areas of light and dark), are concerned with the outer appearance. The other four; weight ratio, durability, polish and symmetry, focus on the diamonds internal design and craftsmanship.
Carat Weight
The diamond carat weight is a measurement of how much the diamond weighs, and a ‘carat’ is defined as 200 milligrams. The metric ‘carat’ can be divided into 100 points which allows for very accurate measurements. While each of the 4C’s should be taken into consideration for evaluating the value of a diamond, the price of a diamond increases as the carat weight increases.
Clarity
A diamond’s clarity refers to the presence of impurities on and within the stone. These imperfections, called flaws or inclusions, may be present even when grown in a lab. Evaluating the clarity involves determining the degree to which the size, number, and position of these inclusions affect the overall appearance of the diamond. The fewer the flaws, the higher the value and price of the diamond. The GIA Clarity Scale is 6 main categories which can be further divided into 11 subcategories of grades. Most of these flaws are not visible to the naked eye and require a skilled professional to use about 10x magnification.
FAQ's
Lab Grown Diamonds (also known as man made diamonds) are redefining the jewellery industry by being the new age, affordable and ethical alternative to mined diamonds. Created from a deep desire to bring aspirational luxury to the world, these are grown by replicating the earth’s organic processes by experienced scientists. Made of the same DNA and carbon as mined diamonds, Lab Grown Diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. Learn more about Lab Grown Diamonds here.
Lab Grown Diamonds are authentic in every sense of the word. All their physical, chemical, optical and atomic properties are identical to those of mined diamonds. These diamonds are also certified by international gemological institutes, the same institutions that certify mined diamonds. Lab grown diamonds can also be insured. The only difference is that they are made above ground instead of below ground. On the other hand, diamond simulants such as moissanites and cubic zirconia are not actual diamonds, but merely resemble them because they do not have the same chemical & physical properties of a mined diamond.
A diamond ‘seed’ is set in carbon-rich conditions inside a sophisticated growth chamber. Using exclusive growth techniques, the seed develops into a rough diamond. The rough diamond is then planned, laser cut, polished & finished just like a mined diamond is. This turns it into a lovely, sparkling precious stone. Depending on the size, it can take anywhere from 3-12 weeks. There are two processes that are used to grow lab grown diamonds: High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
Lab created diamonds offer excellent value, and are more affordable than mined diamonds of comparable size and quality.
Yes, Lab Grown diamonds come in the same colours and purity as Earth Grown. We sell stones from Internally Flawless to VS2 from D-H in colour.
Yes, Lab Grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical composition and crystal structure as mined diamonds and will test as real diamonds.
Yes, we sell a variety of shapes, mainly Round, Oval, Emerald, and Cushion Cut. All these shapes can be made to different sizes.
Our diamonds come directly from the manufacturing source, cutting out the middleman and therefore offering diamonds directly to the public at wholesale prices.
Every lab grown diamond is unique, and it is almost impossible to replicate a lab grown diamond. Human interaction in creating Lab Grown Diamonds is limited to the introduction of the diamond seed in the growth chamber and ensuring a dust free environment. After which, nature takes over. There are many factors that can affect the outcome of the diamond crystal, making it very difficult to control the exact growth process. The 4C’s determine the final value of each diamond grown.
All diamonds are evaluated on 4 factors: cut, colour, clarity, and carat. Together, these are popularly known as the 4 Cs.
Cut: The way a diamond has been cut and polished; its symmetry and proportions are completely dependent on human intervention. The cut is a significant factor in determining the gem’s brilliance and value. It’s arguably the most important criteria to consider while selecting.
Colour: Diamonds come in a range of colours: from colourless to yellow; brown to grey. A diamond is compared to a globally accepted master set to determine its colour value. The range spans from the most sought after colourless, D; to the least desirable colour, Z. Deeply saturated hues occur in coloured diamonds, the most intense of which are graded as “fancy” and sell for higher prices. So, a colourless diamond will be most expensive followed by a fancy colour followed by a light colour.
Colourless: Colourless diamonds (shades D to F) are the slowest and most difficult diamonds to grow. Yet, these rare phenomena are the most sought after. They are followed by the near colourless (shade G to I), which are relatively faster to grow than the colourless ones. Some popular offered colours in Lab Grown Diamonds are blue, pink & yellow.
Clarity: All diamonds have a few imperfections, both within (inclusions) and on the surface (blemishes). Greater clarity is desirable and leads to higher value. To arrive at a clarity grade, the size, colour, number, relief, nature and position of a diamond are analysed by qualified gemmologists under a loupe and microscope. The standard grades of clarity are given below:
FL: Flawless This grade is given to diamonds that are free from inclusions and blemishes under 10x magnification. Understandably, these are the rarest and costliest.
IF: Internally Flawless This grade is for diamonds with no inclusions and small blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
VVS-1: Very, Very Slightly Included 1 This grade covers diamonds with minute inclusions that are very difficult to locate under 10x magnification.
VS1-2: Very Slightly Included 2 This grade is given to diamonds with minor inclusions that are fairly difficult to locate when examined under 10x magnification.
SI1-2: Slightly Included This grade is for diamonds with noticeable inclusions, which are easily visible under 10x magnification.
Carat: The metric carat is used to measure the weight of gemstones. Each metric carat is equal to 0.20 grams, with 100 points or 200 milligrams per carat. Greater weight of a stone usually means higher value in the case of diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to their mined counterparts. Therefore, lab grown diamonds bought from a reputed lab grown diamond supplier such as Dream Diamonds, will last a lifetime. Lab grown diamond manufacturers are here to help make lab grown diamonds the future of affordable luxury.
Yes, all lab grown diamonds over 1.00ct are certified by IGI or GIA laboratories. We provide certification for all our lab grown diamond jewellery sales. Lab grown diamonds are certified by the same international bodies that certify mined diamonds. Don’t hesistate before buying your lab grown diamond from a reputed lab grown diamond manufacturer or lab grown diamond supplier.
Yes, lab grown diamonds are made of the same composition as mined diamonds and therefore pass the diamond tester. Lab grown diamonds are an ethical alternative to mined diamonds and on average are 75-80% cheaper. Dream Diamonds has a great selection of lab grown diamond jewellery at unbeatable prices. Buy certified lab grown diamonds in Australia from Dream Diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds, if made by a reputed lab grown diamond manufacturer, are indistinguishable by the naked eye. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, optically and physically identical to mined diamonds. The carbon composition of lab grown diamonds is the same as mined diamonds and they sparkle the same as well.
Lab grown diamonds are created in a lab using cutting edge technology. A reputable lab grown diamond manufacturer will use two processes to create lab grown diamonds- HPHT or high pressure high temperature, and CVD or chemical vapor deposition. Both methods created lab grown diamonds that are identical in sparkle to mined diamonds.
Dream Diamonds has a reputable lab grown diamond seller. We offer high quality lab grown diamond jewellery at unbeatable prices in Australia. View our vast collection of lab grown fashion and fine jewellery to find your perfect diamond piece.