Diamonds have been a staple of many a bride’s big day, but did you know that some of the most popular diamond pieces today are actually made in a lab? Laboratory grown diamonds are real diamonds, but instead of being mined deep underground they are grown in controlled environments for a longer period of time. This results in a much more sustainable process for the diamond industry and is a great option for couples looking for an alternative that still provides a beautiful, durable diamond ring.
While lab made diamonds have surged in popularity in recent years they’ve actually been around since the nineties. They are made from pure carbon, have the same crystal structure and refractive index as natural diamonds and are graded by gemological laboratories such as GIA and HRD just like mined diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly appealing to young consumers because they offer a unique combination of stunning beauty and traceability of the diamond’s source. Traditional mined diamonds are often linked to armed conflict regions and human rights violations which can be a concern for some consumers, but the sourcing of lab created diamonds is guaranteed to follow strict social, environmental and ethical guidelines.
Most lab grown diamonds are laser http://thetechnotricks.net/2023/11/10/sparkling-elegance-discover-the-world-of-lab-created-diamonds-in-calgary/ inscribed on the girdle (outside edge) with some indication of their origin including “Lab Grown,” the manufacturer’s name or an identifying number to prevent unscrupulous dealers from misrepresenting these diamonds as natural. However, some unethical dealers can remove this inscription to misrepresent lab diamonds as natural, allowing them to sell at higher prices.
There are two methods for producing lab grown diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). With the HPHT method, a small’seed’ diamond is placed in pure graphite carbon which replicates the conditions found underground on Earth to create a new diamond. The seed is then subjected to a controlled amount of high pressure and temperature which gradually transforms the graphite into a full-sized diamond.
The CVD method involves placing a tiny diamond seed into a chamber with pure carbon and heating it under extremely high temperatures to melt it into place, resulting in a new diamond. This is the most common form of a lab created diamond, and the same 4 Cs of diamond grading is used to assess lab grown diamonds.
While choosing a lab grown diamond is an excellent choice for couples looking to minimize their impact on the environment, it’s important to remember that the diamond mining industry is still a major contributor to global climate change and human rights violations. While choosing an ethically sourced natural diamond is always the most sustainable choice, we also recommend considering a piece of jewelry that makes use of recycled gold to minimize your footprint even further. The Stone and Strand Rathe collection of diamond rings combines sustainability with style to offer a unique range of designs to suit any aesthetic. Check them out online here.