What Is A Lab Grown Diamond?

Firstly "Lab Grown" diamonds are DIAMONDS they are real, they are composed of carbon (just like Earth mined), they test positive for diamond with a diamond tester they are nearly identical to their Earth mined counterparts except that they are created in a controlled laboratory environment over a period of weeks whereas Naturally occurring diamonds are found deep in the Earth that took millions of years to create.

Lab grown diamonds are "Grown" currently with the two main processes being the CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) method. The CVD method utilizes very high heat and methane gasses and a diamond seed crystal but is absent of high pressure.
The HPHT method uses machines "Presses" that more closely replicate the environment deep in the Earth where natural diamonds are formed. HPHT diamonds are subjected to extremely high pressure and temperature utilizing proprietary mixes including graphite to grow the diamonds.
At LUXE we focus on the HPHT diamonds as they are more "transparent" and generally always colorless. In a recent article published by the GIA their scientists noted "With CVD-synthetic, there is always going to be an internal strain. HPHTs look more transparent." It is important to note that nearly all the stores in our market offering LAB Grown diamonds are selling primarily CVD grown diamonds.

Both diamond types CVD and HPHT are classified as TYPE IIA. TYPE IIA diamonds are diamonds that are chemically pure (essentially 100 percent carbon) and are generally colorless. If a TYPE IIA diamond has body color (typically gray or brownish tint) it comes from growth defects not an impurity like nitrogen in Earth mined diamonds that causes yellow or boron and hydrogen that causes blue or violet. TYPE IIA diamonds occur naturally and are seen in Earth mined diamonds also but they are much rarer in Earth mined and are typically colorless, exhibit brown hues and very rarely the coveted pink body color. The likely reason lab grown diamonds are TYPE IIA is that the growth environments are controlled, the growers are eliminating nitrogen and any other unwanted gasses that contribute to body color (typically yellow). Diamonds forming in the Earth can't be selective as to what gasses and other changes they will encounter over the millions of years they are forming.

So with the science of lab grown diamonds explained in brief what does all this mean to me the consumer? Well firstly LAB GROWN diamonds to reiterate are real diamonds they just aren't mined, they are grown. Lab grown diamonds like their naturally occurring counterparts come in a vast array of color and clarities and are "Graded" on the same scale and terminology as Earth mined diamonds. Many naysayers would like the public to believe that the growing of diamonds is a simple mechanized process of hitting a button and in a few weeks you get a repetitive consistent diamond of the same size and quality. Well that simply is not true! If it was as simple as hitting a button all LAB GROWN diamonds would be D Flawless. What is important to take away from this (I will expound on this further in future blog posts) is LAB GROWN diamonds are real diamonds and are a great choice for some who desire a larger or higher quality diamond when comparing to Earth mined diamonds. We sale the LAB GROWN diamonds up to 50 percent less than a comparable Earth mined diamond.

The last thing I want to convey in this blog is that whatever you choose Earth mined or Lab Grown it is critical that you are fully informed and educated on what you are purchasing. Having shopped many competitor in our market we have found that most don't fully disclose that you are buying a LAB Grown diamond. I am a Graduate Gemologist and have spent years working in major gem grading laboratories including six years with the world's authority GIA/GEM TRADE LAB. Education is key and disclosure on what you are buying. At To quote Warren Buffet "If you don't know jewelry, KNOW your JEWELER!"