More and more, we are hearing about lab-grown diamonds as an alternative to mined diamonds. They have reshaped the jewelry landscape and give shoppers a great, affordable alternative to their natural counterparts.
As more couples explore options for engagement rings and fine jewelry, it’s natural to wonder what lab-grown diamonds truly are. Some questions that may come to mind are: Are they real diamonds? How do they compare to diamonds from nature? Do they hold their value?
At Paul’s Jewelers, we believe that when it comes to treasures and keepsakes, it always pays off to be informed. In this article, we’ll go over the basics of lab-grown diamonds to help give you an overview of what they’re all about.
What Exactly Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They are chemically, physically, and optically the same as diamonds from the earth; they look exactly the same as mined diamonds, except for some unique inclusion patterns that are only visible under magnification.
With this being said, it’s important to underscore that lab diamonds are not to be confused with “diamond simulants”. Diamond simulants, as the name suggests, are gemstones that are made to simulate the look of a diamond. Popular examples of these are moissanite or cubic zirconia.
These stones may somewhat resemble diamonds at a distance, but differ entirely in composition, hardness, and optical performance (they have different refraction indexes, and hence refract light differently than a diamond).
Lab-grown diamonds are cut, polished, and graded using the same standards applied to mined diamonds. Leading gemological entities, including the GIA, evaluate them using the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat) and provide certification.
To keep transparency within the industry, lab-grown diamonds are given a discreet laser inscription on the girdle indicating their origin—a microscopic detail that doesn’t affect wear or appearance but offers a way to identify a lab-grown stone.
How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made
When it comes to their creation, every lab-grown diamond starts off as a small diamond seed: a thin slice of carbon that will then essentially be grown into a full diamond.
From there, special machines are used to create conditions similar to those found deep within the earth, whereby carbon atoms are added to the initial diamond seed to grow it.
Today, two primary methods dominate today’s production: High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Deciding between them generally depends on the grower, what equipment they have, and what their preferences or niches are. That said, both methods produce high-quality diamonds that are virtually the same as mine diamonds. Without getting too technical, the differences between the methods are primarily related to the growth patterns of the stones (how carbon is added on) and the manufacturing process, rather than beauty.
High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT)
The HPHT method creates an extreme environment that mimics the inside of the Earth’s mantle, where natural diamonds are made. In the process, a diamond seed is put into a press. It’s here where it’s surrounded by carbon, and exposed to super high heat and crushing pressure. With temperatures rising above 2000 °C, and pressures exerting over a million pounds per square inch, the carbon starts crystallizing around the seed, growing it.
As the diamond grows outward, its lattice becomes stable and solid. Eventually, this forms a full-fledged rough diamond that’s ready for cutting and processing.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
CVD takes a more controlled approach that makes use of gases, rather than high temperatures and pressure.
In CVD, a diamond seed is placed inside a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gases. When the chamber is energized through high-energy rays, the gas molecules break apart, allowing carbon atoms to settle onto the seed. These atoms crystallize one layer at a time, creating steady, uniform vertical growth that results in a raw stone ready for processing.
From Rough Crystal to Finished Diamond
Whether grown through HPHT or CVD, the next phase, processing, follows pretty much the same steps as a natural diamond.
Expert cutters study the rough crystal, plan the most efficient and effective cut plan, and begin faceting each surface to optimize for brilliance and light play.
Once polished, the diamond is submitted for certification, where it’s graded for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, just like with mined stones.
By the time it reaches a jeweler’s case, its sparkle, durability, and beauty are indistinguishable from natural diamonds.
Why Clients Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds
The appeal of lab-grown diamonds often begins with value, as they typically cost significantly less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. Holding the 4Cs the same, a lab-grown stone can be 60 to 80% less expensive.
Choosing a lab-grown stone, therefore, allows buyers to get a gem that’s higher in quality than if they went with a mined stone. We’re talking more carats, better cut, clarity, and color, for the same price.
For those who are budget-conscious, this allows them to achieve the look that they’ve envisioned, especially if they’re looking to do extras like having their ring custom-designed.
Buyers can also find comfort in their traceability. Lab-grown diamonds come with a clear origin story, which resonates with shoppers who appreciate transparency around sourcing.
Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Hold Their Value?
Since they’re grown in a lab and can be created at any time, lab-grown diamonds do not hold long-term resale value in the way natural diamonds do. They’re not a geological rarity, and their reproducibility is reflected in their affordable prices.
With this in mind, they are chosen for their beauty and the freedom they bring with regard to budgets. Clients can allocate more funds to get the higher quality stone they want, or to a custom design. With lab-grown diamonds, you won’t get the resale value that mined diamonds have, but you’ll get the same beauty and sentimentality that make special pieces meaningful in the first place, without compromising on appearance or quality.
Conclusion
Lab-grown diamonds have become a popular choice because they offer real diamond quality with more flexibility on price. They are genuine diamonds, graded and finished the same way as mined stones, and once set into jewelry, they look no different. While they don’t carry the same long-term resale value as natural diamonds, they make it possible to focus on what many people care about most: size, quality, and overall design.
At Paul’s Jewelers, we believe the best choice is the one that fits your priorities. Whether you’re considering a lab-grown diamond or a natural one, we’re here to answer questions and explain the differences clearly. As Milwaukee’s premiere destination for custom jewelry, we can help you source the perfect stone - lab or mined - and help you create a piece that feels right for you and your budget.
