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Ready to discover the world of lab-grown diamonds? We'll walk you through everything you need to know about lab-grown diamonds so you can find the perfect piece that makes your cherished moments sparkle even more.
In simplest terms, lab grown diamonds are diamonds created in high-tech laboratories using advanced tools and technical methods instead of being mined from the Earth. To create lab diamonds, scientists imitate the geological processes in which a natural diamond is formed. That’s why they are identical to mined diamonds in terms of their optical, physical and chemical properties. Just like naturally formed ones, lab-grown diamonds are also made entirely of tiny carbon atoms, which makes them just as durable and sparkly. The bottom line is, lab created diamonds might not directly come from deep underground, but they still have all the flashy sparkle and quality you expect from a diamond.
It all starts with tiny carbon seeds of an already existing diamond. Using cutting-edge technological tools, these carbon seeds are exposed to extreme pressure and heated gasses, with their temperatures reaching up to 1600 degrees Celsius. These are the very conditions under which natural diamonds were formed over millions of years deep within the Earth’s mantle, except a lab made diamond is created in a matter of weeks. After six or ten weeks, a rough lab diamond is formed, ready to be polished and cut thereafter.
There are two main methods for creating lab diamonds: high pressure high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In the primary HPHT method, the diamond seed is placed under incredible pressure and temperature. This intense environment forces the carbon atoms in the seed to precipitate on the seed crystal and the lab diamond starts to grow. The more recently developed CVD method is slightly different. Here, the seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with a special gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon, such as methane. Using extreme heat and sometimes even lasers, the gas breaks down and carbon atoms bond to the seed, layer by layer, gradually building a new diamond. Both these processes continue to be improved to provide larger carats with enhanced cut, color and clarity grades.
The only difference between lab grown diamonds and naturally formed ones is their origin. While natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth and dug out of the ground afterwards, lab diamonds are made by scientists and artisans in controlled environments. Other than that, they are the same, look the same and show the same sparkle, fire and scintillation.
Some may assume that lab diamonds are imitations or simulants, but that’s not true. Lab diamonds are different from what is called synthetic diamonds. They are identical with natural diamonds because both are made of pure carbon atoms arranged in the same special way. Lab created diamonds can even have minor internal or surface inclusions just like natural diamonds do. This makes them just as unique as mined diamonds. So, to the naked eye, there's virtually no difference between a diamond formed deep underground over millions of years and one crafted in a lab setting. Only a gemologist or a professional jeweler with special tools will be able to tell them apart. We break it all down in our lab grown vs. natural diamonds guide.
Just like natural diamonds, lab made diamonds are graded and certified according to the industry standard 4C’s framework put forward by Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It offers a universal scale to assess the quality of diamonds depending on their cut, color, carat size and clarity grades.
1. Lab-grown diamonds offer peace of mind. They are conflict-free and require no mining, meaning there's no concern about traceability, environmental or human rights issues as they are completely produced in controlled lab settings.
2. Lab-grown diamonds tend to be more affordable than mined diamonds of similar size and quality. This means you can go for larger carats or better cut grades in a lab diamond for only a fraction of the price, all without compromising on that eyeful sparkle.
3. Lab conditions allow for precise control over a diamond's growth process. This results in stones with exceptional clarity, brilliant cuts and fewer defects, which even maximizes their brilliance and fire.
4. Love the idea of a lively pink or a cool blue diamond? Lab-grown options make these fancy colors more accessible as they are quite rare and expensive in natural form.
5. Don't ever worry about compromising on quality. Lab-grown diamonds offer the same physical properties and enduring sparkle as mined diamonds. So, they're a stunning choice you can cherish for years to come.
Decided on getting a lab diamond? With so many cuts, carat sizes and other details to consider, finding the perfect one can feel overwhelming at first. But don't worry, here’s what to consider when choosing the one that sparkles for you.
· What you like comes first. Consider your style and taste in jewelry and let it guide you. Are you someone who loves minimalist jewelry? You might like our lab diamond solitaire studs. If you prefer a bolder style with statement pieces, tennis bracelets are just for you. Maybe you enjoy combining both. There's no right or wrong answer, so have fun, experiment and let your jewelry choices express your personal style.
· Determining your favorite cut might be a good start especially when looking for an engagement ring, or a solitaire necklace. For example, if you want to go for a more classic vibe, brilliant round cut styles might give you the look you will love. But other geometric shapes like princess, emerald and pear are also available. Consider the overall style of the jewelry and choose the one that stands out for you the most.
· Determine your budget beforehand so you can focus on designs that fit your range. Remember, lab diamonds are generally more affordable than mined diamonds of comparable quality.
· Lab diamonds are graded the same way as mined diamonds. This means cut, carat, clarity and color grades determine how valuable and beautiful a lab diamond is. So, familiarize yourself with 4C’s to make an informed choice. You can learn more about them in our diamond guide.
· Just like natural diamond jewelry, lab grown diamond jewelry comes in a variety of settings, including white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. Your skin tone and other jewelry you typically wear might give you some clues when choosing a setting.
· Create your own lab diamond ring however you like. Eternate’s custom-made service offers you an exciting opportunity to bring your vision to life and create the piece of your dreams.
· Don’t hesitate to contact us at service@eternate.com if you have any questions. We will be more than happy to guide you to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your choice.
At Eternate, we're passionate about creating beautiful and quality jewelry with a conscience. We believe in ethical and sustainable practices throughout our entire process, from sourcing materials to crafting the final piece. This commitment is reflected in our selection of ethically sourced gemstones and recycled precious metals.
We're constantly innovating to expand our sustainable offerings. That's why all of the jewelry we craft features 100% recycled gold and lab-grown gemstones like lab diamonds and moissanite. Rest assured, with Eternate, you can feel happy and confident about both the way your jewelry looks and the way it's made.
The only difference between a lab grown diamond and a natural diamond is where they come from. Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle and are mined afterwards. Lab diamonds, on the other hand, are created in laboratories with high-tech tools and methods by creating the very conditions that form natural diamonds. Therefore, lab diamonds have the same optical, physical and chemical properties and offer the same brilliance as mined ones.
It typically takes from six to ten weeks to grow a lab diamond.
To the naked eye, without special tools and equipment, it is nearly impossible to tell a lab grown from a natural diamond. Only a gemologist or a professional jeweler will be able to distinguish them by looking at, for instance, inscriptions if any and light emission patterns.
Like in pretty much every piece of jewelry, the key to keeping your lab diamond sparkling is regular cleaning. You can provide basic cleaning at home by following the steps outlined in our jewelry care guide. It's also always best to avoid harsh chemicals like strong cleaning products. We also recommend storing it in a soft pouch or a fabric-lined jewelry box to prevent scratches, when you're not wearing it.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are very much real diamonds. The only difference lies in their origin. Both lab-grown and mined diamonds share the same chemical composition. That’s why in terms of hardness, durability and optical properties, they are essentially the same. Lab grown ones also offer the same brilliance, fire and sparkle you expect from a diamond and the naked eye wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Lab-grown diamonds won't cloud over time. Cloudiness typically occurs due to internal flaws or fractures, which are not a concern with well-made lab diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are crafted to maintain their brilliance for years to come and they won't turn yellow over time. Just like mined diamonds, lab-grown ones are composed entirely of carbon atoms in a specific crystal structure. This structure is very strong and resistant to changes.