LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS: 8 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
October 11, 2021
As we all know, natural diamonds are becoming rarer and rarer with each passing year and as a result, their prices are rising at a steady pace. In fact, it’s actually possible that one day, the world will find itself out of diamonds for diamond rings, wedding bands, and other forms of jewellery. But believe it or not, thanks to the advancement of science and technology, we have found a way to possibly avoid this event with lab-grown diamonds.
While lab-grown diamonds may sound like something out of a science fiction novel (and indeed, an 1894 novel by H.G. Wells known as “The Diamond Maker” was written way before the concept was even a thing), growing diamonds out of a lab is indeed a possibility in today’s world. As such, it’s best that you know as much as you can about lab-grown diamonds.
Here are eight different facts that you should know about lab-grown diamonds.
Certification
– It may not seem like it since lab-grown diamonds are made in a contained environment but while it may sound hard to believe, diamonds grown in a lab are indeed certified by trustworthy agencies such as the Gemological Institute of America, putting them on the same level as diamonds that were mined from the earth. This is because since they’ll be sold in jewellery stores, a certification from the GIA would prove that the diamond is indeed the real deal while proving to the buyer that the stone is worth the price at the same time.
The Real Deal
– Contrary to popular belief, lab-grown diamonds are not fake, synthetic, nor are they similar to diamond simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. Instead, lab-grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds, the only difference being their origin. This means that you can purchase diamond rings and wedding bands with lab-grown diamonds and it wouldn’t look any different from rings and jewellery that has natural diamonds attached to them.
Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable
– Mining for diamonds can sometimes be an environmentally harmful business with the amount of fossil fuel that is consumed just to obtain the diamonds from the earth. And on top of that, the earth itself only has a limited supply of diamonds. As stated before, it was once possible for the earth to run out of diamonds. Some environmentally conscious people try to avoid diamonds exactly because of these two reasons. However, with lab-grown diamonds, even the most eco-friendly of couples can enjoy having a diamond bling in their arsenal as not only are they environmentally friendly but incredibly sustainable as well since they can be mass produced. In fact, it’s believed that lab-grown diamonds can easily fill the supply gap that will occur once the world’s diamond supply begins to run dry.
Creation Process
– To create lab-grown diamonds, manufacturers use two kinds of creation processes: High Pressure – High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The former, created in the 1950s, begins when a small diamond seed is placed into pure carbon before being exposed to intense pressure and heat to melt the carbon. A diamond then forms around the seed and the substance is carefully cooled to form a diamond before being cut and polished to be turned into jewellery. CVD, on the other hand, involves placing the diamond seed into a vacuum chamber that will be filled with carbon-heavy gases and heated to 1000 degrees. The heat will turn the gases into plasma and build the layers of the diamonds that we all know and love.
First Lab-Grown Diamonds Ever Sold
– According to experts, the first lab-grown diamonds that were ever sold were made by General Electrics in the late 1950s. It was created by putting carbon under extreme heat and pressure, with the head being added in the lab while the pressure was caused by a hydraulic press.
Price
– If you intend to purchase diamond rings and wedding bands with lab-grown diamonds attached to them instead of natural diamonds, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can pay up to 40% less compared to mined diamonds, meaning that you’ll be able to save a significant amount in your purchase. This is because they’re easy to source and can even come in large quantities.
Millennial Reaction
– It’s no secret that millennials and younger people are more eco-friendly than the previous generation. As such, in a recent survey conducted by experts, it was found that around 80% of millennials feel happy or neutral toward the idea of lab-grown diamonds.
Uses
– Believe it or not, lab-grown diamonds were always used to create diamond jewellery. According to diamond pros, they were once used for industrial purposes and were integrated into tools like drill bits and saw blades. This trend lasted for a while and it took a few decades before lab-grown diamonds were even used in the jewellery business.
Planning to propose to your partner in the near future? Want to get a close family member a gift they’ll love and cherish? Then consider turning to the experts of Vella Diamonds and purchase some fine jewellery for them. With years of experience under our belts, we are more than dedicated to helping customers such as yourself receive only the best when it comes to bespoke jewellery. You may visit our website to see our wide range of services and options when it comes to diamond rings, wedding bands, and many more. You can rely on us and we won’t let you down!