Lab-Grown Diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds ?
The answer is a very simple yes.
Lab-grown diamonds (also called man-made diamonds, cultured diamonds, engineered diamonds, synthetic diamonds or lab-created diamonds) are real diamonds. The only difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond is its origin.
A lab-grown diamond is crafted inside a lab using cutting-edge technology that replicates the complex natural diamond growing process. The result is a man-made diamond that essentially has the same physical and optical properties, crystal structure, and chemical composition – the same as those extracted from beneath the Earth’s surface. They are thus 100% diamond.
How are diamonds grown?
The processes are extremely similar - only one happens naturally while the other occurs in a lab. We mimic the complex natural growing process of a diamond.
There are two ways you can grow diamonds.
One process involves creating an extremely high pressured and high temperature environment. This is known as the HPHT process and it simulates the crushing force of the earth by applying the high temperature and high pressure alongside a metal catalyst to dissolve carbon into a small diamond seed.
The other process involves applying heat and gases to a diamond slice, and is known as the Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD process. This process uses a vacuum chamber filled with hydrogen and methane to create a carbon source. These gases are turned into a plasma at high temperatures, releasing carbon pieces, which adheres to the diamond slice and slowly builds up into a crystal, atom by atom, layer by layer in the vacuum chamber.
Can my gemologist friend tell a mined diamond and a lab-grown diamond apart?
No, a gemologist cannot tell the difference, because they are both diamonds!
Lab-grown diamonds have the exact same chemical and optical properties as mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are nearly impossible to differentiate from mined diamonds with the naked eye.
Are lab-grown diamonds also graded and certified?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are graded and certified exactly the same way as mined diamonds are. Diamonds are sent to a gem lab that specialises in grading diamonds. The majority of these labs grade using the 4c’s (cut, clarity, colour, and carat). The GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the IGI (International Gemological Institute), among other gem labs, offer certificates for lab-grown diamonds, using the same strict standards.
How are lab-grown diamonds more sustainable?
Lab-grown diamonds are created without negatively harming communities or the environment.
They do not lead to disturbance of land which often leads to ecosystem or wild habitat destruction or unusable land after mining operations are closed. Since they are not mined, there is no detrimental impact associated with water usage such as the discharge of waste water or pollutants in water bodies or into the ground.
Lab-grown diamonds are guaranteed conflict-free every single time – you can be sure that they are not the product of child labor, forced labour and human rights violations.
How pure are lab-grown diamonds?
Only 2% of mined diamonds are as pure as lab-grown diamonds. This type of rare diamond is called Type 2a. Lab-grown diamonds are generally purer than mined diamonds since they are grown in a controlled environment.
Are lab-grown diamonds more or less expensive?
Since there is no monopoly on lab-grown diamonds’ pricing, and there are only 2 steps to obtain lab-grown diamonds, grow and cut, they are anywhere from 20% to 40% less expensive than mined ones. To put it simply, a lab-grown diamond touches fewer hands, making it ultimately less expensive than the mined diamonds. To get a natural mined-diamond from its raw form to its retail ready form, it goes through miners, distributors, cutters, polishers, jewellery manufacturers to you.
WHY WE CHOOSE LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Respect for the People
Guaranteed conflict-free
No child or forced labour
No human rights violations
Respect for the Environment
No destruction of ecosystems and wild habitats
No pollutants in waters or soil
Our Diamonds are
DEFG in colour and VS+ in clarity
Because you deserve the best !