By now, I’m sure many of you have heard the term “Lab Grown Diamonds”.
With the recent launch of our “Diamond Evolution” collection, we thought it would be fun to highlight our most frequently asked questions about lab grown diamonds, and how they compare to natural, earth-mined diamonds!
LAB GROWN DIAMOND FAQ:
Are Lab Grown Diamonds “real” Diamonds?
Yes! Lab grown diamonds are REAL diamonds. They are high-quality certified diamonds, produced through cutting-edge technology replicating the formation of a natural diamond. They have the same physical properties and chemical composition of carbon as natural, earth-mined diamonds. They are conflict-free, ethically sourced, and more affordable than natural diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds also rate 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, the same as a natural diamond!
How Can You Tell a Lab Grown Diamond from a Natural Diamond?
When comparing a lab grown and a natural diamond, you won’t be able to tell the difference! However, there are certain tools that can test for differences.
The Gemological Institute of America (2021) reports that the task of identifying a lab grown diamond from a natural will typically fall on a certified diamond appraiser, grader, or gemologist. Lab grown diamonds give off a different amount of luminescence when compared to natural diamonds, which can only be tested using a source of ultraviolet energy. This is one way that gemologists determine the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds.
*Lab grown diamonds provided by Herbin Jewellers will have a laser inscription on the girdle with their identification number. *
How are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
Lab grown diamonds are created very similarly to natural diamonds, by extreme pressures and heat! They can be made one of two ways. Through High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
The HPHT process involves a small diamond seed. This seed is placed into carbon, which is then exposed to high temperatures of 1500 degrees Celsius and pressurized to approx. 1.5 million pounds per square inch. As the pure carbon melts, it forms a diamond around the starter seed. It is then cooled to form a pure carbon diamond (Clean Origin, 2021).
The CVD process also begins with a diamond seed. The seed is placed in heated chamber, which is filled with carbon-rich gasses. The gasses stick to the seed, growing the diamond carbon atom by atom (Constable, 2020).
Where are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
The majority of Lab grown diamonds are grown and cut in Asia.
How do I Care for my Lab Grown Diamond?
You can care for your lab grown diamond the same way you would a natural diamond.
We recommend taking your diamond jewellery to a jeweller every 6 months to a year for a routine clean and check. The jeweller will inspect your piece to ensure the gold surrounding the diamonds is still intact and secure.
You can also clean your diamond jewellery at home using warm water, a mild dish soap, and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Check out our “Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Jewellery at Home” blog post for more information on how to care for your diamond jewellery. https://www.herbinjewellers.com/blog/2021/May/14/tips-tricks/
Still have questions about lab grown diamonds? Contact us here!
Shop our Diamond Evolution collection at https://www.herbinjewellers.com/designers/corona/
References:
Clean Origin, P. (2018). Can you spot the difference: Lab-created vs. Mined Diamonds. Clean Origin Blog. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.cleanorigin.com/blog/spot-lab-grown-diamond/.
Constable, H. (2020, February 9). The sparkling rise of the lab grown diamond. BBC Future. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200207-the-sparkling-rise-of-the-lab-grown-diamond.
McGuinness, C. D., Wassell, A. M., Lanigan, P. M. P., & Lynch, S. A. (2021). Separation of natural from laboratory-grown diamond using time-gated luminescence imaging. Gemological Institute of America. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2020-separation-natural-from-laboratory-grown-diamond.
