Even though lab-grown diamonds have become extremely popular in the diamond industry, a lot of people are still oblivious to this low-cost replacement for natural diamonds. Many people believe that these stones are fake. Some others misunderstand lab grown diamonds for diamond simulants like moissanite and cubic zirconia that match the look of diamonds but are highly different in terms of their properties. Therefore, when deciding whether to get lab-grown diamonds or not, it is significant for you to be aware of this synthetic version of diamonds.
So we list some of the important factors you want to know about lab-created diamonds so that you can easily determine whether you should get these stones.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
As the name suggests, lab-grown, lab-created, or synthetic diamonds are stones that are artificially created inside a laboratory. There are certain specific conditions under the earth that cause the carbon atoms to crystalize and develop into a diamond. These conditions are artificially created by scientists inside a laboratory thereby leading to the formation of artificial diamonds. Despite their synthetic origin, artificial diamonds are similar to natural diamonds in terms of their look and properties. Therefore, differentiating between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds with the naked eye is not possible.
But diamond simulants, on the other hand, have slight differences in terms of their appearance from real diamonds that can easily give away these stones. Additionally, their properties are not in any way similar to diamonds.
How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Grown?
Modern technology made it possible to replicate the conditions under the earth artificially, which involves high pressure and extreme temperatures. These favorable conditions lead to the formation of diamonds inside a laboratory.
Different processes are used for growing diamonds by scientists. They include:
- HPHT
- CVD
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Certified?
Yes. Just like mined diamonds that develop under the earth, lab-grown diamonds also come with different flaws like yellow or brown tints, blemishes, inclusions, etc. Therefore, the quality of these stones can greatly vary along with their values.
So when getting lab-grown diamonds, it is important for you to be aware of their quality. Lab-grown diamonds sold by reputable jewelers will come with certificates from non-profitable gemological labs like the IGI. Hence, make sure to ask for certificates when getting synthetic diamonds.
So if you are contemplating whether to get lab-created diamonds for your diamond rings, then be aware of the properties of these stones. Synthetic diamonds are more ethical and affordable than natural diamonds, but their resale value is low when compared to the latter.