Natural VS Lab Created Diamonds
Natural vs Lab Created Diamonds
With lab-created Diamonds becoming more available, it may be worth considering if this is the type of Diamond for you.
The notion of a natural Diamond may be a more romantic concept than a lab-created Diamond; after all, we have been doing this for centuries. But with a lab-created, you will get more bang for your buck and still be able to say you have a real Diamond.
What is a Lab Created Diamond?
A lab-created Diamond is just that, a Diamond created in a controlled laboratory setting. The two popular methods used are Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamonds (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature Diamonds (HPHT).
With CVD, a tiny “Diamond seed” is put into a chamber filled with heated gasses. At the correct temperature, carbon layers will start to form on the seed diamond and cause it to grow.
HPHT is a process meant to replicate how a natural Diamond forms in the earth. A piece of graphite is crushed and heated to the extreme; these conditions cause the graphite to turn into a Diamond.
What is the Difference Between a Natural Diamond and a Lab Diamond?
Natural Diamonds take millions of years to form under immense pressure in the earth’s crust. They are then mined, cut and polished. Lab-created Diamonds form using the methods above, (CVD and HPHT), but the time scale takes only a few months! They are then also cut and polished. It is tough to tell the difference between a natural and lab Diamond. A natural Diamond will contain small traces of Nitrogen, whereas a lab-created one will not. This is one of the signs a gemmologist will look for when trying to tell the difference between the two, as no differences can be seen with the naked eye.
Their differences are so slight that they both adhere to the same grading policy set out by the GIA and will come with the same certification as a natural Diamond. In the GIA Diamond report, there will be an assessment of the cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of the Diamond.
It takes sophisticated technology and a gemmologist with experience in Diamond grading and identification to spot a lab-created Diamond as they have the same chemical makeup as a natural one. They even test as Diamonds when using a Diamond tester.
Can I get a Lab Diamond in Different Colours?
Yes, you can! When the technology was new, manufacturers could only create Diamonds in either white or small ones in yellow. Now they can make all the same colours as natural Diamonds. But how? The same way that mother nature does. When a coloured or ‘fancy Diamond’ is formed in the earth, tiny traces of impurities can change the colour. Inside a pure natural Diamond, you would only find the element carbon. In a blue Diamond, traces of Boron give it a blue hue. With a lab Diamond the same trace impurities are introduced in the controlled setting. In fact, scientists are constantly experimenting in a way we could not with natural Diamonds. This means more exciting colours are available in lab-created Diamonds!
Lets take a closer look
YELLOW, BROWN & ORANGE DIAMONDS
When different Nitrogen levels are introduced to the carbon, it creates varying shades of these wonderful colours.
BLUE DIAMONDS
When the carbon is mixed with trace amounts of Boron, it makes blue shades.
GREEN DIAMONDS
Are created with gamma radiation. Please don’t panic; they are 100% not radioactive!
PINK DIAMONDS
Altered pressure or intense heat change the crystal structure of the Diamond, making the light refract differently. We then see the Diamond as pink!
Are Lab Created Diamond Real?
Yes they are. They have the same chemical, and physical properties as Diamonds mined in the earth. With shape, size, colour and clarity grades and come with a Diamond certification, just like natural ones.
What are the Pros of Buying a Lab Created Diamond?
The main pro is the price. You can purchase a much larger Diamond with your budget than a natural one. For example, a 2ct lab Diamond graded colour D, and clarity VS1 will cost about £4,000. The same size and clarity of a natural Diamond will set you back around £50,000. That’s quite a difference!
What are the Cons of Buying a Lab Created Diamond?
Simply put, supply and demand. With natural Diamonds, there is no never-ending supply, meaning they will hold their price much better than a lab-created one. Scientists can produce created Diamonds at will; as the market becomes more saturated, the prices may decrease.
It’s fair to say that this is only a negative if you are thinking about the resale value of your Diamond. If you do not think you would consider selling, then this is not really an issue.
Should I Buy a Lab Created Diamond Engagement Ring?
This is probably down to the receiver of the ring. To be fair, they would never be able to tell the difference other than maybe getting a larger Diamond than they were expecting. As it’s an engagement ring, resale value shouldn’t be a factor but your budget might. If you have a modest budget, you could get a more spectacular ring with a lab Diamond. It would definitely be worth having a conversation about it, as there is no right or wrong answer.
Final Thoughts on Natural vs Lab Created Diamonds.
We have learned that lab-created Diamonds are real Diamonds! The only difference between lab vs natural is their origin story. If your value of a Diamond comes from its origins, this is the only difference. In the end though, if you love the jewellery, does it matter? Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, only beautiful jewellery.
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