Lab Created Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know

Diamonds naturally occur in the Earth's surface. It has been customary for them to be mined out of the earth and processed into the gemstones we value today. But a way to create these stones has also become popular. We're here to shine some light on how these diamonds are made and their value.

What Are Lab Created Diamonds?

Any diamonds created in a laboratory are considered man-made or lab-grown. These stones are developed in simulated environments where labs recreate the natural formation process using different methods. Technically speaking, these gems are the real deal — they are not synthetic like cubic zirconia.

People have been growing diamonds since the 1940s. They became commercially available in the 1980s and have gained popularity in this century, partly due to their lower costs and guarantee that they aren't conflict diamonds.

Value Comparison

For all intents and purposes, grown diamonds are made using the same process as natural ones. They are the same chemically, physically, and optically. The naked eye would have a hard time spotting the difference.

However, the nature of flaws in lab diamonds can decrease their value. Natural flaws occur due to a much slower process and contain trace elements of other substances. Lab-created flaws are caused by a faster process that can damage the diamond.

Given that these diamonds can be easily manufactured, they are not inherently as valuable as mined diamonds, which will always be a rare item. Color treatment also decreases value — lab-grown stones often come out brown and need chemical treatment to change color.

How Lab Diamonds Are Made

Both methods use a small sliver of real diamond called a "seed" in their processes.

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)

This method uses extreme pressure and heat to form the diamond. The seed is placed into a patch of carbon. The pressure and heat melt the carbon, which then crystallizes around the seed to form the diamond.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

The seed is exposed to gases containing high amounts of carbon (typically methane). The seed and gas are heated in a chamber, causing carbon ions to break from the gas and adhere to the seed in layers. The process takes about 6 to 10 weeks to form a one-carat diamond.

Certification

Lab-created diamonds can be certified by gemological grading organizations using the 4 C's. However, GIA does not grade lab-grown diamonds as strictly as mined diamonds, as they don't believe they can be graded on the same scale.

Why Choose Natural Diamonds from Elite?

While most retailers offer cheaper manufactured products, Elite Jewelry and Loan offers natural diamonds at wholesale prices. Our prices are less expensive than other mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds alike. You get the quality and value of a natural jewelry piece at wholesale prices. Each diamond is already GIA certified!