Lab Grown Diamonds

The two main ways Lab Grown Diamonds are created are High Pressure High Temperature which known as HPHT and Chemical Vapour Deposition which is known as CVD.

Both HPHT and CVD methods start with a tiny carbon seed from a pre-existing diamond and then mimic the conditions of a natural diamond forming.

The difference between a HPHT and a CVD diamond is not visible to the naked eye. Both methods create stunning diamonds but CVD is the most popular method currently and most Lab Grown Diamonds we source are CVD.

CVD diamonds are grown by placing a diamond plate into a vacuum chamber and injecting that with a hydrocarbon gas, such as methane. High power microwave energy is then used to break down the atomic bonds of the hydrocarbon gas which separates the carbon atoms from the hydrogen atoms resulting in free carbon. This then falls down onto the diamond plates and the diamond grows atom by atom.

The process of growing diamonds using the HPHT method is similar to the CVD. In the HPHT method growth occurs within a large pressure cooker called a cubic press. To grow a diamond in a cubic press small diamond seeds are placed inside a growth cell and a layer of additional carbon is placed on top of the seeds. The growth cell is then placed in the centre of the cubic press and heated to temperatures reaching 1500°, as well as this intense heat 1 million psi of pressure is also applied. Under these conditions a diamond crystal is formed.

After both diamond growing processes the rough stones which has been created must then be cut and polished. For this reason, you may find that the price difference between Lab Grown and Natural diamonds for some jewellery designs, like half eternity rings or clusters of small diamonds in earrings or pendants, isn’t that great. This is because of the work which goes in to cutting and polishing each diamond so the cost begins to level out. You will see a real difference in price with larger diamonds like those in an engagement ring.
 

It is thought generally that lab grown diamonds are the more ethical choice.

Lab Grown Diamonds aren’t required to be mined and the mining process is known to be harmful to the environment. The mining process has been known, historically, to have poor working conditions.

With the process of creating Lab Grown Diamonds it is easier to get information on the supply chain in terms of working conditions and exactly where the diamond has came from.

While it is generally thought that Lab Grown Diamonds are more ethical Natural Diamond mining companies have made significant improvements in becoming more environmentally friendly, as well as great improvements to working conditions.

Every single Natural Diamond which we source are from legitimate suppliers and all diamonds adhere to the Kimberley Process rules. You can see more information on Ethical Diamond Buying here.

Natural Diamonds do also have their benefits in terms of helping communities. Natural Diamonds support employment and economic growth with many countries, including, Botswana, Angola and South Africa, having benefitted from the diamond industry.

If every diamond sold worldwide was to be lab grown this would negatively impact many communities who rely on the industry.

Both Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds come with their own pros. We have listed some of those below

Pros of Lab Grown Diamonds

• Lab Grown Diamonds come at a lower price than Natural
• They do not require any mining which can be harmful to the environment
• It can be easier to get information on their supply chain

Pros of Natural Diamonds

• Natural Diamonds are often thought to be more romantic as they’re part of the world’s history after being grown for billions of years
• The value is unlikely to decrease over time but likely to increase
• Natural Diamonds are more rare than lab grown

A Lab Grown Diamond is a diamond which has been created in a lab using advanced technology to mimic the conditions in which Natural Diamonds are created.
 

Natural diamonds are grown beneath the earth’s crust over billions of years, whereas, a Lab Grown diamond is created using advanced technology in a controlled environment.

Lab Grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds as both have the same chemical properties.
 

Yes, they are real diamonds. Lab Grown diamonds are formed using natural diamond seeds or plates which are then grown to create a real and genuine diamond. The process just takes place in a lab rather than underneath the earth’s crust.
 

Lab Grown Diamonds are graded in the same way as Natural Diamonds and using the same scale which takes into account the 4 C's.
 

Lab Grown diamonds are created in an environment which mimics that of the natural diamond forming process which means imperfections can still occur. Lab Grown Diamonds can still have inclusions and presence of colour which is why the 4 C’s still apply.
 

All of our Lab Grown and Natural diamonds are untreated. They have not received any treatments or been enhanced in any way.