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Lab-grown diamonds are becoming an increasingly popular center stone option. They are optically, chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds and boast a smaller price tag; a perfect option for the budget-savvy buyer. It is important to start off by saying that Lab-Grown Diamonds arenot diamond simulants. A diamond simulant would be visually similar to a diamond but the materials used to create a simulant are completely different; like in the way a Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite are completely different from a diamond. Diamond simulants can be made up of materials like glass and other unknown materials. A lab-grown diamond is just as ‘real’ as a natural diamond. They are optically, chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. The difference between the two is that lab-grown diamonds are produced in a lab using processes that replicate the growth of a natural diamond. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are ‘carbon crystals’. The biggest difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds is the level of nitrogen in the stone. 98% of natural diamonds contain nitrogen. Colorless lab-grown diamonds have no measurable level of nitrogen. With this said, this difference is not as cut and dry as we’d hope it would be. About 2% of natural diamondsdo not contain nitrogen and could be mistaken for a lab-grown diamond using this nitrogen detection method. On the other side, there are some lab-diamonds with color that contain nitrogen. It is nearly impossible to detect a lab-grown diamond from a natural diamond with a loupe or your naked eye. Special screening and testing equipment is needed and, even with these tools, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. Proper identification (typically a serial number on the girdle of the diamond) to disclose its formation is imperative to tell the difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond. The lab creators who grow these diamonds start with rough diamond crystals and use either HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) methods to grow the diamonds. The HPHT process grows diamonds using a diamond press. These machines mimic the earth’s natural creation process and produce the extreme pressure(725,000 – 870,000 PSI) and heat (2,300–2,900 degrees Fahrenheit) that is needed to create a diamond. In this process, diamond source powder dissolves in molten metal flux and deposits on diamond seed crystals. This process takes several days to a few weeks. The CVD method starts with a natural diamond slice placed in a chamber and exposed to temperatures that are much less than HPHT (approximately half) and much lower pressure: 100 – 550 PSI compared to the 725,000 – 870,000 PSI needed for the HPHT process. Recent advancements have made this growth process more advantageous. Methane and hydrogen gas are injected into the chamber and combined with high heat. The electrons separate, forming plasma gas. The freed carbon then rains down on the seed, growing new diamond crystals. Typically, this process produces brown or gray diamonds, which are turned colorless through an HPHT annealing process. This process takes several days to a few weeks. Lab grown diamonds are graded exactly the same as natural diamonds. A gemologist will grade a lab-grown diamond using the 4C’s: color, cut, clarity and carat. For more information on diamond grading and the 4c's CLICK HERE. A major concern for lab-grown diamonds is their quickly changing price. In recent years the lab-grown diamond industry has boomed with many diamond manufacturers flooding the market. In my professional opinion, lab-grown diamonds are not to be considered an investment. The price of lab-grown diamonds will continue to fall, unlike their natural counterparts. If your desire is a large diamond within a budget and you’ve considered that there could be little to no resale value in the coming years, lab-grown diamonds can be a great option for you. Check out our collection of made-to-order lab-grown diamond jewelry or get in touch with us to create a one-of-a-kind piece. We can walk you through the process of purchasing your natural or lab-grown diamond and assist with any questions you might have. Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry
What are lab-grown diamonds?
How are lab-grown diamonds different from natural diamonds?
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT):
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD):
How are lab-grown diamonds graded?
What are the benefits of choosing a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Are there any drawbacks to purchasing a lab-grown diamond?
Ready to shop for lab-grown diamond jewelry?
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How It Works
1. Order the ring model {$100 deposit}
2.Try it on and view the design in person for 7 days.
3. Return the ring model with our pre-paid shipping label.
(this service is only available to clients within the US. International clients please contact us)
Love it?
100% of your deposit will be applied towards the purchase of your forever ring.
Not the one?
No problem! We will issue you a full refund minus shipping (not to exceed $25) when the model has been returned to our studio.
How Our Models Are Made
Our ring models are made of a base metal, plated in your choice of metal color: white gold, yellow gold or rose gold and set with cubic zirconia. These models are meant to look very similar to the genuine diamond ring.