What is a LAB diamond?

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds created in a laboratory environment. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds produced in a controlled setting. They are grown in two ways: a High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) process that mimics their natural formation in the Earth, or a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. Both processes begin with a pure carbon seed arranged in a crystalline structure and result in a lab diamond that is identical to a mined diamond. Lab grown diamonds are available in colourless ranges and rare and fancy colours

 

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real?

 

Yes, lab grown diamonds are as real as natural diamonds are. Their only difference is origin. Lab created diamonds are grown in laboratory settings, while natural diamonds form deep within in the earth. Chemically, physically, and optically, lab diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, with the same hardness, brilliance, and fire. 

A common misconception is that lab created diamonds lack certain qualities of natural diamonds, but they are indistinguishable—only experts using advanced laboratory equipment can detect subtle differences in their growth patterns.  

Lab diamonds also undergo the same grading process as natural diamonds: an assessment of the 4C's — cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Reputable gemological labs, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) tend to grade and certify natural stones and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), certify lab created diamonds using the same standards as those applied to natural diamonds.

 

Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamond

 

The only difference between natural and lab created diamonds is where they come from. Natural diamonds form deep beneath the Earth’s surface under extreme conditions of heat and pressure over billions of years. In contrast, lab diamonds are produced in weeks to months from diamond seeds with the same chemical composition as natural diamonds. Without specialized equipment, it’s nearly impossible to tell lab created diamonds apart from natural ones. Though there are no physical differences between the two, here's how they contrast:

Origin

Lab-grown diamonds are produced in a controlled laboratory setting, whereas natural diamonds are extracted through mining from the Earth. 

Price 

Lab grown diamonds typically cost less than natural diamonds of comparable quality due to processes becoming more efficient and cost effective.

Rarity

Natural diamonds are much rarer than lab-grown diamonds, hence the prices they can command. Because of their limited quantity, natural diamonds have been cherished for their enduring value and passed from generation to generation.

 

 

 

Types of Lab Grown Diamonds

With the naked eye, it’s impossible to differentiate between natural diamonds, HPHT lab diamonds, and CVD lab diamonds; only experts can identify subtle markers related to growth conditions. Both methods yield real diamonds with no differences in durability or quality, differing only in growth patterns and production time.

High Pressure High Temperature Lab Diamonds 

This method mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form inside the Earth. A diamond seed is placed in a chamber and subjected to intense heat (over 2,000 degrees Celsius) and pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch). The carbon atoms in the chamber bond with the seed, crystallizing into a diamond. 

Chemical Vapor Deposition Lab Diamonds

CVD diamonds grow when a thin piece of diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with a carbon-rich gas mixture (typically methane and hydrogen) that’s heated to break down the gas molecules. Carbon atoms settle onto the seed, building layer by layer until the diamond reaches its desired size. Some CVD diamonds undergo additional pressure and heat treatment after growth.