About Lab Diamonds

Natural, Lab Grown Diamonds and Their Imitations

In recent decades, technologies for artificial growth of gemstones and their analogues have been actively developing. Naturally, both manufacturers, jewelers, and buyers are most interested in the possibilities of producing the king of gemstones – the diamond, due to its price. The high cost of natural diamonds is primarily associated with their properties, such as phenomenal hardness and excellent ability to refract and reflect light, providing the brilliance and play of a cut diamond. Another important factor is the significant monopolization and closed nature of the diamond mining market, preventing prices from falling under natural market competition.

Recently, laboratories have developed several technologies for growing synthetic diamonds, with two being the most common:

  1. HPHT Method (High Pressure, High Temperature): Diamond growth is carried out in a chamber under high pressure (50-60 kilobars) and temperature (approximately 1400-1600 degrees Celsius). This process mimics the natural conditions of diamond formation. Growing a diamond of about 1 carat using this technology takes around 5 days.

  2. CVD Method (Chemical Vapor Deposition): This process uses chemical deposition of carbon from a gas phase. The most popular variation is microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD), where a gas mixture of methane and hydrogen serves as the raw material. This method allows for the creation of stones with high purity.

Similarities Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are identical to natural ones in terms of chemical structure, physical, and optical properties. Both materials consist of pure carbon organized in a crystalline lattice, giving them incredible hardness and brilliance. Even professional gemologists cannot distinguish these stones without specialized equipment.

Differences Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds

  1. Origin: Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years beneath the Earth's surface, while lab-grown ones are created within weeks under controlled conditions.
  2. Price: Synthetic diamonds typically cost 20-40% less than natural ones due to the lack of mining and lower production costs.
  3. Inclusions: Natural stones often contain unique inclusions formed during their creation. Lab-grown diamonds may also have minor defects, but their nature is different.
  4. Ethics and Ecology: Lab-grown diamond production is more environmentally friendly, as it does not require large-scale mining and minimizes energy use.

Other Diamond Imitations

The market also offers other options that visually resemble diamonds but differ significantly in composition and properties:

  1. Moissanite: This stone, initially discovered in meteorites, is now synthesized in laboratories. Moissanite has a high refractive index and vivid light dispersion, making it similar to diamonds, though it is slightly less hard (9.25 versus 10 on the Mohs scale).

  2. Cubic Zirconia (CZ): A synthetic material developed in the 1970s. CZ is softer and has less brilliance compared to diamonds, but it is one of the most affordable imitation options.

Choosing and Prospects

The choice between natural, lab-grown stones, and their imitations depends on the buyer's preferences, budget, and purpose of purchase. Lab-grown diamonds and moissanite are preferred by those seeking aesthetically perfect and ethically acceptable stones. Natural diamonds, despite their high price, retain their uniqueness and high value for collectors. Modern technologies will continue to develop, likely making lab-grown gemstones even more popular and accessible.