In this article, we will discuss everything about lab-created diamonds. We will have a look at its features, cost, pros, and cons. We will also compare real diamonds and lab-created diamonds
Over the past few decades, diamond enthusiasts and explorers have fully held and welcomed the creation of diamonds artificially. Jewel creators have also shown their concern and love for diamonds by creating Lab-created diamonds.
People usually get confused when they hear the word "lab-created diamonds" They think that these are not diamonds, and they get confused about whether they should go for real diamonds or lab-created diamonds.
In this article, we will discuss everything about lab-created diamonds. We will have a look at its features, cost, pros, and cons. We will also compare real diamonds and lab-created diamonds so that you can have a clear idea of both.
Lab-Created Diamonds are simply the diamonds created by men in specifically ordered and manageable laboratories under a high degree of control. The internal atmosphere of the laboratory is kept similar to the natural underground conditions as much as possible. In this case, the chances of having an identical copy of natural diamonds are more, and the expected yield is obtained quite satisfactorily.
Lab-created Diamonds are also popular as Lab-grown Diamonds, Synthetic Diamonds, or Cultured Diamonds. Apparently, these diamonds are very close to real diamonds. If we talk about the internal structure, the internal symmetry is also the same and identical to the naturally mined diamonds. The carbon atoms are combined in a specific manner under highly advanced techniques to create the crystals. After the crystal formation, these diamonds are then treated to give them the final touch and appearance.
Lab-created Diamonds have a very interesting man-made synthetic process to grow. The natural diamonds are grown several hundred miles under the earth's surface. On the other hand, man-made diamonds are created in laboratories by using two techniques.
There are special laboratories in which a high level of management and control is maintained according to the needs. HPHT and CVD both techniques serve to create man-made diamonds.
This technique is based on the natural process of formulation of mined diamonds under the earth's surface. Geologists believe that natural diamonds are formed when Carbon Dioxide is highly compressed by a huge pressure under the earth at a very high temperature.
Similarly, in laboratories, split-sphere press, belt press, and cubic press are the techniques used to attain the atmosphere of high temperature and high pressure.
The carbon material is placed into specialized containers or a rig and then exposed to high pressure and high temperature artificially. This procedure completely mimics the natural underground activities occurring for the growth of natural diamonds. After a customizable set of schedules and processes, the lab-created diamond is obtained.
It is a highly developed technique, but nowadays, it is considered as a second or later option compared to CVD. Even then, this technique is mindblowing and worthy for having beautiful crystals of diamonds through man-made techniques.
The second method is Chemical Vapor Deposition Technique (CVD), and it is considered the most advanced way to make diamonds in laboratories over the earth's surface.
In this technique, carbon seeds are used, or a thin chunk of diamond seed. The seed is placed inside a closed chamber and then exposed to a very high temperature (800° Celsius). The hydrocarbon gas mixture is used in the process.
After heating the diamond chunk, the mixture of hydrocarbon gas is filled inside a chamber, where plasma comes into existence through the ionization of gas molecules. Due to ionization, the true carbon molecules start adhering to the diamond chunk and gradually become the source of a beautiful diamond crystal.
These crystals are the end products of both methods. These are then collected, cleaned, reshaped, and used according to the requirement.
CVD is considered a superior, powerful, and effective way for creating lab-created diamonds because of the following reasons.
Some common questions that trouble almost every buyer before choosing a lab-created diamond are,
The thing that makes both these diamonds different from each other is their source or origin. The origin of these diamonds compels people to think about the terms like "Fake" and "Natural".
Lab-created diamonds are also diamonds; however, they are created in laboratories through special processes. But they cannot be termed fake diamonds.
Let's discuss the similarities and differences between natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds. You will get a complete idea of these two types of diamonds.
Natural Diamonds are formed almost 100 miles beneath the earth's surface. It involves the natural process, high temperature, high pressure, and deposition of many traces and chemicals.; that's why it takes a lot of time (billions of years).
On the contrary, lab-created diamonds take only 6 to 10 weeks for their complete formation process. They can be easily available in the market when needed, while natural diamonds are considered limited because of their very slow rate of occurrence.
There is no difference in the shine and sparkling properties of both these diamonds. Naturally mined diamonds are considered the best, but lab-grown diamonds have the same power and ability to shine clearly for a long time.
While comparing, both these show the same reflection and refraction of light and create similar twinkling moments that melt hearts through their beauty. The synthesized diamond will never fade even after using consistently over a long period of time.
Sometimes, it also becomes a noticeable point that the color of a man-made diamond may get dull with the passage of time. But again, color cannot be the foundation of their difference.
Lab-created diamonds, like natural diamonds, are found in every color. Furthermore, instigators have added some more beautiful colors to the diamond world. Both types of diamonds have the same color strength and brightness.
Lab-created diamonds are available in pink and blue color, but these colors are very rare and expensive. On the other hand, the most frequently used and accessible colors are white and yellow.
Cuts are most important and tricky while preparing the final form. They play a big role in the brightness, clarity, and symmetry of the final diamond crystal.
The quality of the cuts is tested by scintillation, brilliance, and fire. These three factors tell whether a diamond owns fine cuts or not, and of course, this factor also affects the price, quality, and reliability of the diamond in the market.
Lab-created diamonds consist of a very fine arrangement of carbon atoms like natural diamonds. That's why it is possible to give fine and smooth cuts to the crystal without having any symmetrical problems.
While sharpening a crystal from the rough stone, the cutters work evenly in a balanced way. So again, both these types have very close results that cannot be judged by an ordinary person or even an expert jeweler through his/her naked eyes.
Lab-created diamonds have the ability to allow fine cuts for jewelry, such as diamond rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.
Lab-created diamonds have the same arrangements of carbon atoms as natural diamonds; that's why the physical configuration of these diamonds can easily be shaped in various forms. They are easily available in Princess, Pear, Emerald, Marquise, Asscher, Radiant, Heart, Round, Oval, and Cushion shapes.
Both types of diamonds can be outlined in the above-mentioned shapes. In the case of shapes and physical appearance, it is difficult to differentiate them through naked eyes.
Lab-created diamonds are much lower in price as compared to natural diamonds. You can imagine the price difference by the example given below:
A natural round-shaped one-carat diamond with excellent cut and VS2 clarity can cost around $7,000. On the other hand, a Lab-created round-shaped diamond with excellent cut and VS2 clarity is easily available for $1,500-2,000. Typically, there is approximately a 50-75% difference in their prices.
The most important difference between real and lab-created diamonds is the resale price. Real diamonds have a resale value, and you will probably get more than 50% of the money you have invested if the rate per carat is the same. Typically, the price of diamonds increases with time, so you are likely to get more than 50% in the future. In contrast, lab-created diamonds do not have a resale value, and vendors do not even prefer buying used lab-created diamonds. It loses its value just after the purchase.
It is also a matter of concern that the prices of lab-created diamonds are falling every year at a considerable rate. The price depends on the technology, and with the advancement of technology, it is becoming cheaper.
From the above example, you would be well aware of the price difference between both types of diamonds. Naturally mined diamonds demand a lot more than man-made diamonds. In the markets, you can easily notice a difference of 50-75% among the rates of natural and lab-grown diamonds.
There are some factors that can affect the price of lab-created diamonds. Let's have a short insight into these factors one by one.
The culet is the pointed bottom tip of the diamond crystal where Pavilion meets to make an accurate angle. This sharp tip is necessary to have an error-free angle in order to prevent light from escaping through diamonds. A diamond with a very small to none culet is considered best for detailed cuts. This feature also has an immense effect on the price of a lab-created diamond.
Diamonds certified by a gemological institution will have reputed grades and reasonable prices. For instance, a diamond certified by GIA will have high grades and value. It is passed through the strict scale and tests of the grading, so it will definitely have a high price.
Lab-created diamonds are ordinarily accessible in white and yellow colors, and these colors are at hand in markets with normal price ranges. But diamonds with unique colors like blue and pink have high demand and asking prices.
It is an obvious and natural fact that the larger/bigger diamonds will have more price than that of small-sized diamonds. The weight of diamonds is measured in Carat. The ideal price of a 1-carat diamond can start from $1,300 to $3,000. Obviously, a diamond more than 1 carat will have a more asking price.
The most expensive shape of a diamond is Round Cut. It is very dear because this shape is obtained after a lot of cutting and polishing of rough diamonds. The other shapes are less costly than Round Cut.
FL is the highest clarity grade which means the diamond has no inclusions and blemishes even under the examination of 10x magnification. Diamonds with FL clarity grades are available for exorbitant charges.
There are more clarity grades below FL, and these are IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, and SI2. As the grade goes down, so does the price.
We know lab-created diamonds are emerging in the diamond market by impressing the users, but it is true that almost everything has pros and cons side by side. Let's discuss some major pros and cons of man-made, lab-created diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are basically man-made and artificially synthesized diamonds that own the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds. We have discussed the formation processes, price, factors affecting the price, and advantages and disadvantages of lab-created diamonds. We hope you have a completed idea of what a lab-created diamond is and how much it differs from a real diamond.