Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds
The most significant difference between a natural diamond and a lab-created diamond is the origin. Natural diamonds are composed of pure carbon atoms formed over millions of years under intense pressure and heat. Lab-grown diamonds are created under similar conditions in a laboratory instead of in nature.
Both stones have identical chemical compositions but may differ in trace elements, giving them unique characteristics.Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are graded similarly on the four Cs — cut , color, clarity and carat weight. This means that the quality grading criteria set by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) apply to lab-grown and natural diamonds alike, ensuring that in terms of quality, one is not better than the other.
When considering availability, many consumers might find that lab-grown diamonds offer more variety than natural diamonds because manufacturers can create them according to customer requirements or specifications. They can also create them more quickly without compromising on the quality standards set for each diamond type.
What are lab grown diamonds and how are they made?
Lab grown diamonds are entirely man made and have the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds.There are two processes that can create jewelry-quality diamonds: HPHT and CVD. HPHT stands for High Pressure/ High Temperature. This process mimics the way that diamonds form in nature, subjecting carbon to high temperatures and pressing it together.
CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition. In this process, a mixture of hydrogen and methane gas is placed in a chamber with a seed crystal. Typically, microwave power heats the chamber to a high temperature, which excites the gas.The diamond grows on the seed crystal. The CVD method is cheaper than HPHT and has become more common in recent years, as new technology has made higher-quality diamonds possible.
