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How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

Lab Grown Diamond Ring

In recent years, lab grown diamonds have become a sparkling revolution in the world of fine jewellery. These man made marvels offer the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, but with a more sustainable and ethical story. 

This method is known for producing larger, gem quality stones with higher colour saturation, especially in yellow and blue diamonds. HPHT diamonds are also more likely to be inclusion free due to the intense pressure helping to purify the crystal as it forms. 

Additionally, HPHT can be used to enhance the colour of diamonds, turning brownish stones into whiter or fancy coloured gems. Overall, HPHT is a powerful technique valued for its ability to create high quality stones with consistent brilliance.

Lab Grown Diamonds Made Process Works As Follows

• High Pressure & Temperature:
Replicates natural diamond-forming conditions using over 1.5 million PSI and temperatures above 1,300°C.

• Uses Diamond Seed:
A tiny diamond seed initiates the crystallisation of carbon atoms into a larger diamond.

• Produces Gem Quality Stones:
Commonly yields high quality, durable diamonds suitable for fine jewellery.

• Natural Diamond Mimicry:
Closely resembles the way diamonds form underground, making it scientifically authentic.

• Enhanced Colour Possibilities:
Can produce vivid fancy colours like yellow, blue, or improve the whiteness of a stone.

• Fewer Inclusions:
High pressure helps purify the crystal during growth, resulting in cleaner diamonds.

Features of CVD Lab Grown Diamond

• High Purity and Quality:

CVD stones often have fewer inclusions and are Type IIa — the purest form of carbon, very rare in nature.

• Customisable Growth:

The process allows controlled growth conditions, so colour, clarity, and size can be managed with precision.

• No Metal Catalyst Needed:

Unlike HPHT, CVD does not use metal catalysts, reducing the risk of metallic inclusions.

• Flat-Plate Growth:

Stones grow in flat layers, resulting in square or rectangular roughs, ideal for precise cutting.

• Post-Growth Treatment:

Many CVD stones undergo HPHT treatment to improve colour from brown/grey to near-colourless.


What Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made Of?

Lab Grown Diamond Ring

In both natural and lab environments, carbon atoms bond together in a crystalline structure known as a cubic lattice. This arrangement gives diamonds their exceptional hardness (the hardest known natural material), brilliance, and durability. Whether a diamond forms underground over billions of years or inside a laboratory in weeks, the result is chemically, physically, and optically identical.

Lab grown diamonds are compose of pure carbon, just like natural diamonds. The carbon atoms are arranged in a precise crystalline structure call a cubic (or isometric) lattice, which is what gives all diamonds lab or natural, their remarkable hardness, brilliance, and fire. This atomic arrangement ensures that lab grown diamonds are not just similar but identical to natural diamonds in their chemical, physical, and optical properties.

Diamond Seed

  • The process always begins with a diamond seed, a thin slice of a real diamond (natural or lab grown).
  • This seed acts as the foundation, and new carbon atoms bond to it, layer by layer, to grow a larger stone.

Carbon Source

  • This method uses carbon rich gases like methane (CH₄).
  • These gases are introduce into a vacuum chamber, where they’re activated using microwaves or lasers.
  • Carbon atoms are then deposite onto a flat diamond seed, growing the diamond layer by layer.

Trace Elements

  • Nitrogen: Often responsible for yellow or brown hues. In HPHT diamonds, nitrogen is more common unless specifically removed.
  • Boron: Causes blue tones. If boron is introduce intentionally (especially in HPHT), it gives the diamond a fancy blue colour.
  • Hydrogen: Sometimes present in CVD diamonds, which can slightly affect colour or UV fluorescence.
Lab Diamond Guide

Quality and Grading of Lab Grown Diamonds

Diamond Shapes

Cut

The cut refers to how well the diamond has been shape and facete. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, resulting in superior brilliance and sparkle. Whether it's a round, cushion, or emerald cut, precision in cutting greatly enhances a lab grown diamond's appeal.

Colour

Like natural diamonds, lab grown stones are grade on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (noticeable yellow or brown tint). Colourless diamonds (D-F) are the rarest and most valuable, though near colourless options (G-J) can offer excellent value without visible tint to the naked eye.

Clarity

Clarity measures the presence of internal or external flaws known as inclusions or blemishes. Lab grown diamonds tend to have fewer inclusions due to the control environment they’re created. Grading ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1-I3).

Carat

Carat weight refers to the size of the diamond. Lab grown diamonds allow consumers to choose larger stones at a more accessible price point compared to their natural counterparts, without compromising on quality.



Environmental and Ethical Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds

Environmental Benefits

Reduced Land Disruption

Lab created diamonds don’t require massive excavation or destruction of ecosystems. Traditional mining can move tons of earth for a single carat; lab processes avoid this entirely.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Although growing diamonds uses energy, especially with HPHT methods, many labs now rely on renewable sources, significantly lowering their environmental impact.

Water Conservation

Mining consumes huge amounts of water and can contaminate local supplies. Lab grown diamonds require a fraction of that, with controlled use and cleaner production.

Ethical Advantages

Conflict-Free Assurance

Lab grown diamonds are guaranty to be free from conflict zones or unethical labour practices — no blood diamonds, ever.

Safe Working Conditions

Unlike dangerous mining environments, lab workers operate in regulated, safe, and clean high-tech facilities.

Transparent Supply Chains

Most lab grown diamonds have clear traceability from creation to certification, giving buyers confidence in their stone’s origin and ethical sourcing.

Diamond Impact Comparison

Choose a Lab Grown diamond?

Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. You get the same sparkle, hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and brilliance, indistinguishable even to experts without specialised equipment. Lab grown stones typically cost 30–40% less than their natural counterparts. That means you can opt for a larger or higher-quality stone without stretching your budget.

These stones are conflict free and created without damaging the environment. Choosing lab grown helps reduce demand for destructive mining and supports transparent, safe working conditions. Because they’re more affordable and widely available in various sizes and cuts, lab diamonds are ideal for custom designs, like engagement rings or special gifts that truly reflect your style.

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