Diamonds are created deep within the Earth, under intense heat and pressure. It can take them millions of years to form. In contrast, lab-created diamonds are grown for weeks or months in highly controlled laboratory environments.
Lab-created diamonds share many identical properties with natural diamonds. They are pure carbon, chemically identical to natural diamonds. They are also optically identical to natural diamonds, meaning that even a trained gemologist cannot tell them apart with the naked eye.
Differences Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamond
1. The main difference between lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds is how and where they are formed. Lab-grown diamonds are manufactured in highly controlled laboratory settings through advanced technology techniques that replicate natural diamond formation characteristics.
2. Despite their identical physical and chemical properties, lab-created diamonds are often less expensive than natural diamonds. This is because they do not require the same time, energy, and resources to create.
3. Lab-created diamonds are also sometimes referred to as synthetic diamonds, cultivated diamonds, or man-made diamonds. Technically, all of these terms are inaccurate, as lab-created diamonds are not synthetic (i.e., they are not fake or imitation diamonds), and they are not necessarily cultivated (i.e., created for a specific purpose).
4. Natural diamonds are mined from the earth, while lab-created diamonds are grown in laboratories. This is the most significant difference between the two.
5. Lab-created diamonds were first developed in the 1950s and 1960s for industrial purposes, but it was not until the 1990s that technology progressed to the point where they could be used for jewelry. on the other hand, natural diamonds have been used for jewelry and other decorative purposes for centuries.
Lab-created diamonds are a good choice for those who want the look and feel of a natural diamond but at a lower price. They are also a good choice for those who want to avoid the environmental impact of mining.
How Are Diamonds Grown In A Lab Graded And Certified?
A lab-created diamond is graded and certified in the same way as a natural diamond. The only difference is that the laboratory providing the grading and certification services will be able to verify that the diamond was indeed created in a laboratory.
The Four Cs of Diamond Grading
The Four Cs of diamond grading is the same for lab-created diamonds as they are for natural diamonds. The four Cs stand for Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color.
1. Carat- is the measure of how much a diamond weighs. 1 carat is the same as 0.2 grams. The higher the diamond’s carat weight, the more expensive it is.
2. Cut- is a measure of how well the diamond has been cut and includes factors such as the depth, angles, and symmetry of the cut. A well-cut diamond will have more sparkle and fire than a poorly cut diamond.
3. Clarity- refers to the number of imperfections or blemishes present in a diamond. The diamond is rarer and more expensive if it has fewer imperfections or blemishes.
4. Color is a measure of the diamond’s body color on a scale from D (no hue) to Z (a yellow-hued diamond). The rarest and most valuable diamonds are those with no hue, which are graded as D, E, or F on the color scale.
Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds?
1. Lab-created diamonds are more environmentally friendly than natural diamonds.
2. They are also less expensive than natural diamonds.
3. Lab-created diamonds are optically identical to natural diamonds and can only be told apart by trained gemologists using specialized equipment.
4. They are available in a wide range of colors, including fancy colors such as pink, blue, and yellow.
5. Lab-created diamonds are grown in a controlled environment, so their quality is more consistent than that of natural diamonds.
6. Because they are grown in a laboratory, lab-created diamonds do not carry the same risk of being blood diamonds (diamonds that are mined in conflict zones and used to fund violence).
7. Lab-created diamonds are also a good choice for those who want to avoid the environmental impact of mining.
8. Some people believe that lab-created diamonds are more ethical than natural diamonds because they are not created through the exploitation of workers or the environment.
Conclusion
A lab-created diamond is a diamond that has been created in a laboratory rather than formed naturally over millions of years. These diamonds are chemically and physically identical to diamonds found in nature, but they come with a much smaller price tag.
Lab-created diamonds are an excellent choice for those who want the beauty of a natural diamond without the cost. These diamonds also have a smaller environmental impact than mined diamonds, as they do not require mining or other destructive practices.
