The lab diamonds Perth are synthetic (man-made) diamonds created under conditions similar to mined stones in terms of chemical, physical and optical characteristics. Lab diamonds are created through similar pressure and heat processes but within a laboratory environment.
Lab diamonds have become increasingly popular for several reasons, one being their much lower price compared to natural ones.
What is a lab diamond?
Lab diamonds are lab-grown gems created artificially in laboratories and chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds.
The lab grown diamonds can be produced through two methods, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT). Both processes create carbon crystals which respond to light similarly.
CVD involves heating a seed crystal placed inside of a small chamber until layers of carbon form on it. HPHT attempts to replicate nature’s method for producing diamonds by crushing naturally formed graphite crystals with extreme heat and pressure until diamonds form on their surfaces.
These synthetic stones offer more value than mined diamonds but lack durability and don’t maintain resale value as well. Still, they make for great ethical jewelry options with lower environmental impacts than mined diamonds and ten times harder wear resistance compared to diamond mined from nature.
How is a lab diamond created?
Scientists employ two processes for creating lab diamonds: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high pressure high temperature (HPHT). Both techniques mimic the conditions that form natural diamonds beneath Earth’s mantle.
Under CVD technology, a small diamond seed is placed inside of a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases. When heated to high enough temperatures, these molecules break apart molecular bonds to release pure carbon molecules which stick onto the seed crystal and bond permanently to it.
Scientists then apply the proper combination of pressure and heat to a diamond seed, causing its carbon layers to melt and solidify around it, eventually becoming a diamond.
Lab diamonds may offer an attractive alternative to mined spicecinemas diamonds, yet they still come with potential environmental concerns and greenhouse gas emissions concerns. That being said, lab diamonds offer great value if you’re searching for gem quality diamonds at prices you can afford.
What is the difference between a lab diamond and a natural diamond?
When purchasing jewelry, it is essential to understand whether the diamond you are viewing is natural or laboratory created. Laboratory grown diamonds may be difficult to differentiate from natural diamonds due to advancements in technology.
Lab diamonds differ from mined diamonds in that they have been artificially created under controlled conditions. By employing various processes like chemical vapor deposition or high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) growth, scientists can create synthetic diamonds with physical and optical properties similar to mined ones.
Lab-created diamonds offer customers all of the same options available when selecting earth mined diamonds for purchase.
As lab diamonds are created artificially in a laboratory, they tend to be significantly cheaper than their natural counterparts – often 30-50% less expensive for comparable quality natural diamonds.
How is a lab diamond graded?
If you want to purchase a lab diamond, it is vitally important that it has been graded by an established gemological laboratory. Grading certificates provide valuable scooptimes insights into a diamond’s characteristics while assuring you of purchasing high-quality, ethically made gems.
Diamonds are graded by both the Gemological Institute of America and IGI (International Gemological Institute) on four criteria: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Furthermore, diamonds may also be classified by origin type (mined or lab grown) and growth method used (CVD or HPHT).
As with natural diamonds, laboratory diamonds may contain inclusions and blemishes which detract from their sparkle and clarity. As more inclusions accumulate, its clarity grade will drop accordingly – while stones without inclusions at 10x magnification will be considered Flawless.
