While it can be overwhelming to find yourself looking for a diamond for the first time - understanding cuts, clarity grades and prices, this simple guide gives you a comprehensive overview of lab-grown diamonds (what they are, how diamonds are made, how to choose the right lab-grown diamond for your personal style and budget). It will help you to be more informed about your purchase of lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds Explained: The Basics
Lab-grown diamonds, or synthetic diamonds, are created through technology that replicates the earth's processes, which formed natural diamonds. (Synthetics traditionally have been considered a lesser alternative to natural diamonds; however, they have many advantages, such as greater transparency to customers about the quality of their products, better value than natural diamonds, and a new approach to luxury.)
Laboratories use two primary processes to create lab-grown diamonds: chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT). Both methods utilise processes mimicking natural diamond formation at deep earth levels.
If you want to create an engagement ring with a lab-grown diamond, be familiar with these basic concepts and be informed about your selection of lab-grown diamonds.CVD is currently the most widely used process and is often found in modern reinventions like diamond earrings made from lab-created diamonds.
Diamond Seed For High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) Method
The diamond seed is placed into both extreme heat and pressure (similar to natural diamond formation in the Earth) until carbon begins to melt and wrap itself around the seed, until finally the seed has become a rough diamond!
Diamonds produced through HPHT have fantastic brilliance, making them popular in the jewellery business. Both diamonds produced through CVD and HPHT are considered "real" and will have a certificate; the only difference between the two methods of creating a diamond is where they came from.
Why Are First-Time Buyers Choosing Lab-Created Diamonds?
1. Excellent Value for Money
You can buy a larger, better quality diamond with an equivalent budget than purchasing mined diamonds.
2. Ethics/Transparency
There is no mining process involved in lab-created diamonds, nor is there a negative impact on the environment. All production takes place in a controlled environment.
3. Ease of Customisation
There are many shapes and sizes to choose from when buying lab-created diamonds, making them a great choice for personalised items like pendant necklaces or engagement rings.
4. Certified & Trustworthy
Lab-created diamonds will have the same certification as natural diamonds (e.g. IGI, GIA).
How To Choose The Right Lab-Created Diamond
Even if you are new to buying diamonds, it is still fairly easy to choose a lab-created diamond if you keep these two things in mind:
1. The 4Cs
CUT - Controls the level of sparkle in your gemstone;
CLARITY - How easily you can see imperfections in your diamond;
COLOUR - How white your diamond is, and
CARAT - Weight/Size
2. Shape & Style
Your rings, earrings or necklaces will have a different look depending on the shape of the diamond that you choose; e.g., round, oval, pear, emerald and so on. The most important consideration when buying a lab-created diamond is its certification. Ensure that your diamond has a credibly reported certification (IGI, GIA, etc.) before you buy.
When buying a lab-created diamond, take full advantage of its affordability; you can buy a much larger size and/or a higher-quality cut than you could afford to buy with a mined diamond.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Lab Diamonds For The First Time
1. Are lab-created diamonds “real” diamonds?
Yes. Both CVD diamonds and HPHT diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, and they have the same characteristics (i.e., brilliance, hardness, durability) as mined diamonds.
2. How long does it take to make a lab-grown diamond?
While mined diamonds require billions of years from when they form to when they become available to be purchased, lab-created diamonds can be made in just a few weeks with current technology.
3. Do lab-created diamonds maintain value?
Most jewellery (including lab-created diamonds) has both sentimental value and a usage value, so you can buy lab-created diamonds for their usability, design, and production ethics; therefore, lab-created diamonds represent a great choice.
4. Can I use a lab-created diamond for an engagement ring?
Absolutely. More couples are choosing to use lab-created diamond engagement rings because they can purchase higher-quality diamonds for less money using lab-created diamonds compared to mined diamonds.
5. Are CVD and HPHT lab-created diamonds equal?
Both types of diamonds are quality diamonds. Generally, CVD lab-created diamonds have fewer inclusions than HPHT lab-created diamonds, while HPHT lab-created diamonds typically offer better brilliance than CVD lab-created diamonds. The choice is based on your preference and what the jeweller recommends.
6. Can lab-created diamonds become cloudy?
No, lab-created diamonds do not become cloudy over time. Most cases of cloudiness occur as a result of dirt or oil getting on the diamond, which can be easily cleaned off.
Conclusion
Lab-created diamonds are one of the smartest purchases a first-time diamond buyer can make. By knowing how lab-created diamonds are made, understanding the differences between CVD and HPHT lab-created diamonds and being aware of how to compare lab-created diamonds for quality, you can shop for lab-created diamonds with confidence and select a lab-created diamond that you will continue to enjoy well into the future.
If you are exploring lab-created diamond earrings, lab-created diamond pendants, or lab-created diamond engagement rings, lab-created diamonds will provide you with an amazing combination of beauty, value and ethics.