Lab-Grown Diamonds: Innovation, Beauty, and Sustainable Luxury

Lab-created, engineered, cultured, or manufactured—lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity for all jewelry types. Discover how science has perfected their brilliance and how they compare to natural diamonds.

What Is A Lab Grown Diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments and share the same chemical composition as natural diamonds—carbon atoms arranged in a precise structure. Unlike natural diamonds, which form deep within the Earth's crust, lab-grown diamonds are produced through advanced technology. Because they are chemically identical to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are virtually indistinguishable in appearance, quality, and durability.

While lab-grown diamond technology has been used for industrial applications for over 50 years, recent advancements in quality and affordability have made them a viable option for fine jewelry. These innovations have opened up exciting possibilities for incorporating lab-grown diamonds into stunning, durable designs.

The Process: High Pressure High Temperature vs Chemical Vapor Deposition

Lab-grown diamonds are created using two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

The HPHT process mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth. A tiny diamond seed is placed inside a press capable of generating immense pressure and temperatures exceeding 2,000°F. Carbon, in the form of graphite, surrounds the seed and under these conditions, it crystallizes into a diamond. HPHT diamonds are known for their excellent clarity and can often achieve larger sizes, making them a popular choice for gem-quality stones.

The CVD process involves a different approach, growing diamonds in a controlled environment using a carbon-rich gas, typically methane, within a vacuum chamber. The gas is ionized using microwaves or lasers, breaking down its molecular bonds and allowing carbon atoms to deposit onto a diamond seed layer by layer. This process occurs at lower pressures and temperatures than HPHT, enabling precise control over the diamond's properties, such as color and clarity. CVD diamonds are valued for their consistency and are often used in both jewelry and high-tech applications like semiconductors. Both methods produce diamonds with the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as those found in nature.

After creation, lab-grown diamonds can undergo treatments such as high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) annealing or irradiation to enhance their color, clarity, and overall optical properties.

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds, sharing the same cubic crystalline structure of pure carbon as natural diamonds. These stones are chemically, physically, and optically identical to their natural counterparts, offering unmatched brilliance and durability. Whether natural or lab-created, both types of diamonds possess the exceptional qualities that make them perfect for creating timeless, high-quality jewelry. Lab-grown diamonds provide an innovative option for those seeking stunning beauty with the same enduring allure as traditional diamonds.

How Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Differ from Natural Diamonds?

Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are composed of pure carbon, transformed into dazzling crystalline gems. While lab-created diamonds share the same optical and physical properties as natural diamonds, their origins and rarity set them apart. Natural diamonds form over billions of years, shaped by intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's crust. This ancient and finite process makes natural diamonds unique treasures, as all that exist today have already been formed, securing their status as enduring rarities.

Lab-grown diamonds, in contrast, are created through advanced technological processes in controlled environments. This capability allows for the limitless production of lab diamonds, offering an abundant and sustainable alternative without compromising their brilliance or durability. Whether natural or lab-grown, both types of diamonds bring exceptional beauty and versatility to jewelry, each carrying its distinct story.

How Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Differ from Simulated Diamonds?

Unlike lab-grown diamonds, simulated diamonds are not true diamonds. Simulants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, have entirely different chemical compositions and structures compared to natural or lab-created diamonds. While they may resemble diamonds to the naked eye, their physical and optical properties differ significantly.

Simulated diamonds are typically made from materials like glass, cubic zirconia, or silicon carbide (in the case of moissanite). These materials lack the hardness and durability of lab-grown diamonds, making them more prone to scratches, clouding, and wear over time. Additionally, their brilliance and sparkle diminish with prolonged use. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds, offering exceptional hardness, enduring beauty, and unparalleled sparkle that stands the test of time.

How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Certified and Graded?

Lab-grown diamonds, like natural diamonds, can be certified and graded to assess their quality. After being sent to a gemological institute specializing in diamond grading, each lab-grown diamond undergoes an independent evaluation by multiple gemologists. These experts analyze the diamond’s attributes, such as cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The individual assessments are then combined to determine the diamond’s final grade, which is documented in a grading report.

Not all lab-grown diamonds receive grading, as smaller stones or those sold by certain jewelers may not undergo the certification process. At Carats Concierge, we prioritize transparency by offering grading for many of our lab-created diamonds, ensuring buyers have a clear understanding of their diamond’s quality and value. This certification helps customers make informed decisions and trust in the integrity of their purchase.

Can One Discern The Difference Between Lab Grown Diamonds And Natural Diamonds?

There are usually no visible differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds, particularly when viewed with the unaided eye. Both types share the same crystalline carbon structure and possess identical optical properties, including brilliance, fire, and durability.

However, under magnification, an expert jeweler may identify subtle differences in inclusions that reveal a diamond's origin. Lab-created diamonds and earth-mined diamonds can exhibit distinct types of inclusions, shaped by their respective formation processes. These characteristics are often the only clues that distinguish lab-grown diamonds from their natural counterparts, showcasing the remarkable similarity between the two.

How Are Lab-Grown Diamond Prices Different From Natural Diamonds?

The pricing of lab-grown diamonds differs from natural diamonds in key ways. While natural diamond prices are influenced by a stone's rarity and unique characteristics, such as size, color, and clarity, lab-grown diamonds are often priced more uniformly per carat.

Lab-grown diamonds also offer a significant cost advantage, as their production is not constrained by natural limitations. With the ability to create diamonds on demand in controlled environments, lab-grown options are typically much more affordable than their natural counterparts, making them an accessible choice for high-quality, stunning jewelry.