Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds, are grown in laboratories and possess essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as natural diamonds, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These diamonds are genuine diamonds—not fakes—but differ from natural diamonds primarily in their origin. While natural diamonds form over millions of years beneath Earth's surface, synthetic diamonds can be produced in laboratories within weeks.

GIA recognizes two main methods for creating lab-grown diamonds:

• High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This process uses equipment that replicates the high-pressure and high-temperature conditions under which natural diamonds form. HPHT diamonds typically have distinct crystal shapes, and through this method, it is possible to produce diamonds ranging from colorless to various fancy colors like pink or blue.
  
  
• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): This newer method involves breaking down carbon-containing gases in a vacuum chamber, causing carbon atoms to crystallize onto diamond seed plates. Initially, these diamonds often have brown or yellow tints but can be treated to improve their color and clarity. CVD diamonds tend to have high clarity grades, commonly ranging from VVS2 to VS1.

For detailed information, visit the GIA website.

Lab Diamonds vs. Other Diamond Alternatives

It's important to understand that lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds, having identical chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. Unlike lab-grown diamonds, popular alternatives such as Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia have distinct differences:

Moissanite:

• A different gemstone, not a real diamond.
• Can develop a yellowish or warm tint over time.
• Softer than a diamond, making it more prone to scratches.
• Often recognized by its unnatural, rainbow-like sparkle.

Cubic Zirconia:

• A synthetic gemstone, chemically different from diamonds.
• Ranks 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it scratches easily.
• Quickly loses sparkle, becoming cloudy within a few years.
  

In contrast, lab-grown diamonds offer lifelong brilliance and durability, are chemically identical to natural diamonds, and provide the true luxury of diamonds without ethical and environmental concerns.

Lab vs. Natural Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds offer identical beauty, quality, and physical properties compared to natural diamonds, with the significant advantage of being more affordable and ethically transparent. According to GIA, natural diamonds formed billions of years ago deep beneath Earth's surface under extreme pressure and heat. These conditions often resulted in unique inclusions and trace elements, like nitrogen or boron, which affect the diamonds' color and clarity. Conversely, lab-grown diamonds are produced within controlled laboratory environments over several weeks using advanced technological methods such as HPHT and CVD.

Mined Diamonds

While visually indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye, lab-grown diamonds possess subtle differences detectable only through sophisticated gemological equipment. For example, natural diamonds typically exhibit distinctive crystal shapes, such as octahedral forms, while lab-grown diamonds show specific morphological features linked to their production method—HPHT diamonds often exhibit cube and octahedral faces, and CVD diamonds typically form flat, tabular crystals.

Price Comparison

Lab-grown diamonds offer a more affordable alternative to natural diamonds, often costing a fraction of the price while maintaining exceptional beauty and quality.

For example, at Dynasty by Chiara, a stunning 3-carat solitaire engagement ring featuring a high-quality lab-grown diamond is available for 27,900 AED (approximately $7,600), demonstrating the incredible value these diamonds provide.

Aurora - 3-carat Lab Diamond