Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

The short answer? Yes! They are real diamonds! If that's all you needed to know, then that's it you're done. If you want to learn more, keep reading!

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

We’ve said it once and we will (apparently) say it a million times more! Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds; the only difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is that one type forms in a lab, and one type forms in the ground. 

The Federal Trade Commission and GIA, the highest authority in diamonds, have both ruled that lab-created diamonds are real. Lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds have the exact same chemical properties and cannot be differentiated without the use of a microscope by a trained gemologist. So why do people still believe they aren’t real?

How are Lab-Grown Diamonds Formed?

Arguably the biggest reason people believe lab-grown diamonds are not real diamonds is that they are formed in a lab instead of the Earth. To this we ask, is the ice that forms in snow caps any more or less real ice than the ice that forms in your freezer? No, the only difference is the location and the method.

Your freezer mimics the way water naturally freezes in the ocean, on a smaller scale in your home. Similarly, the two methods used to make lab-grown diamonds mimic how diamonds naturally form in the earth.

The two processes in which diamonds are formed in a lab are Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Both processes can take the diamond up to 12 weeks to form.

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)

The HPHT method is most similar to how natural diamonds are grown in that an environment is created where extreme heat (up to 2200°F) and extreme pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch) are applied to a carbon seed. After a careful cooling process, pure carbon forms around the original seed which is then used as the rough diamond. In total, this process can take several days to weeks depending on the size of the diamond being created.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

CVD diamonds are made under less intense conditions and in a slower developing process taking around 6 to 12 weeks. A small diamond seed is placed inside a sealed chamber and subjected to intense heat, sometimes reaching 1500°F. Hydrogen and methane are introduced to the chamber and then ionized to break down molecular bonds thus causing a pure carbon atom to attach itself to the seed. As the carbon builds, it forms atomic bonds with the diamond seed creating one, larger diamond.

Four C’s of All Real Diamonds

The GIA created the first global standard for grading the quality of diamonds. Now, all diamonds, lab and natural, are graded using the 4 C’s—Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut. These standards are meant to help consumers understand a diamond’s value and price. To read more detailed information about the Four C’s, you can browse our overview or continue reading.

Carat

Even those who know next to nothing about diamonds have heard the term “carat weight.” Larger diamonds have higher carat weights making them more valuable. Larger natural diamonds are rare, therefore natural diamonds with higher carat weights will generally cost more. This is true for lab-grown diamonds as well. However, a diamond's quality is not only determined by carat weight. While it might have a larger impact on price, no pun intended, it is not the only factor to be considered.

Large natural diamonds are exceedingly rare, thus affecting the price of good quality, large diamonds. Lab diamonds can be grown to specific sizes, including large sizes. While there are not as many natural diamonds that are the same carat weight as large lab-grown diamonds, this does not negate the fact that lab-grown diamonds are real, it just shows the rarity of large natural diamonds.

5.08ct Emerald Cut Lab Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring

7ct Oval Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring

Color

During the growth process, color can be introduced to the lab-grown diamond which will give it a tint of yellow or brown and will negatively impact its color grade. The more colorless the diamond, the more desirable it is. Diamonds in the D-H color range are most popular for lab-grown diamonds. With natural diamonds, there is more willingness to explore lower color ranges due to the higher costs associated with natural stones.

When it comes to fancy colors, natural color diamonds can be quite expensive depending on what color they are. If you’re interested in learning more, you can read our Introduction to Fancy Color Diamonds blog.

The same way color can be introduced to the diamond during its formation process by accident, it can also be introduced to lab-grown diamonds on purpose; lab-grown diamonds can be treated to be certain colors. At Lauren B, we carry several colored natural and lab-grown loose diamonds and rings. Just because a diamond has color, does not make it any less real. Take JLo’s engagement ring for example!

1.20ct Oval Lab-Grown Diamond

Pink Color | VS2 Clarity

$4,860

4.01ct Pear Lab Grown Diamond

Blue Color | VS1 Clarity

$12,500

Clarity

Inclusions are imperfections that form within a diamond during its growth process; the same occurs for both lab-grown and natural diamonds. These inclusions can vary in lab-created diamonds based on the method used to grow them and can also help differentiate between the types of formation (natural or lab-grown). For both HPHT and CVD diamonds, there are outside elements used as catalysts to help grow the diamond. During this process, any of the catalysts can become trapped within the diamond's structure and become inclusions.

For the most part, GIA identifies all inclusions within lab-grown diamonds as “Growth Remnants” regardless of the inclusion’s shape or size. As with natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can also have feathers which are surface-reaching inclusions that occur during the cutting process. The fact that even with all the advances in technology, we still cannot control the presence of inclusions in lab-grown diamonds just proves that they are real.

Cut

Identical to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished to maximize sparkle and brilliance. A cut grade is only assessed for round brilliant finishes as it can be quantified based on its angles, proportions, and measurements. Fancy shapes (non-rounds) are based on their visual appearance and a wider range of factors.

Parallel to natural diamonds, there are premium cut cushions and radiants that have sharper facets on the pavilion and less hidden weight underneath to give them a brilliant appearance. There can also be variations in length-to-width ratios for all shapes so selecting the right one for you is based solely on preference.

Mohs Scale of Hardness

Gemstone hardness is measured on the Mohs scale, which rates the scratch resistance of various minerals. The minerals are assigned a value between 1 to 10,  with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. These values are determined by finding the hardest mineral that another given mineral can scratch. For example, a sapphire (rated as 9) can scratch all minerals rated from 1 through 8, but it cannot scratch a diamond (rated as 10).

Because lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, they have the same chemical makeup as natural diamonds. They also possess all of the same physical properties that make natural diamonds so sought after. Therefore, lab-created diamonds also score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness—the same as a natural diamond. Since both natural and lab-created diamonds are the hardest gemstone, they are very resistant to breaking or scratching, making them the perfect stone to be worn every day and cherished for a lifetime.

Yes, Lab-Grown Diamonds ARE Real Diamonds

Like we have always said, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Clearly shown, lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds have the same components to them besides where they are formed.

If you would like to learn more about lab-grown diamonds, you can check out other blogs on the topic. If you’re interested in purchasing a lab-grown diamond, feel free to email info@laurenb.com or schedule an appointment below.