Diamonds grown in laboratories have disrupted the traditional diamond industry. These lab-created stones have the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as natural diamonds but are much more affordable and ethically sourced. General Electric (GE) first developed lab-grown diamonds in 1950. Today, however, lab-created stones are the result of decades of research across the globe.
What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
The process of creating LAB GROWN DIAMONDS Jewelry takes place in laboratories. To understand this process, first understand how natural diamonds are created.
Diamonds are formed 150 miles below the Earth’s crust when carbon is compressed at extremely high temperatures and pressures. Synthetic diamonds are produced by scientists using a variety of methods to compress carbon at high temperatures and pressures in laboratories to crystallize it under the same conditions.
The First Lab-Grown Diamonds
Scientists discovered diamonds consisting of pure carbon in 1797. Many attempts were made to recreate the conditions necessary for diamond formation in a lab setting during the 19th century. Although many claims of success were made, these experiments were not able to be replicated.
Under a project codenamed “Project Super pressure,” GE made the first synthetic diamonds in 1954. The project had been underway in the 1940s, but was postponed due to World War II. Diamonds have been produced from carbon using several methods, temperatures, and pressures for many years. As a result, small seed crystals were subjected to temperatures and pressures of 1,600oC (2,912oF) in a high-pressure belt press. By dissolving graphite – another mineral made of pure carbon – in metals, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, they were able to accelerate diamond formation.
When the resulting material broke the scientists’ cutting tools, they believed they had succeeded. With a Mohs hardness of 10, diamonds are known for scratching and destroying metal tools. In the following years, they confirmed that they had, indeed, created diamonds. This discovery was attributed to both Herbert Strong and Howard Tracy Hall.
Lab-made diamonds of gem-quality
The diamonds GE produced via this process were far too small for gem use. Instead, they were used for industrial purposes. Nevertheless, this discovery paved the way for GE to develop gem-quality crystals in 1971. In their process, graphite seeds were heated and compressed in a tube until they grew into diamonds.
Even though these stones were an incredible discovery, they were too costly for natural diamonds to compete economically because they were made using such high temperatures and pressures. Furthermore, these first gem-quality synthetic diamonds were often yellow and contained many inclusions. According to color and clarity standards, such stones would not receive high grades.
It was found that the yellow color was caused by an excess of nitrogen in the gems. Further adjustments resulted in colorless diamonds. In the past few decades, scientists in the United States, Russia, and China have been able to create diamonds in laboratories that are bigger, better colored, and clearer than natural diamonds. As these gems gained popularity, the diamond market began to absorb them.
Methods of the modern age
As an initial step in the development of this method, GE used a high pressure/high temperature process (HPHT). The HPHT treatment was developed by GE in 1999 to improve the color of white diamonds by mimicking diamond-forming conditions underground. However, reproducing such conditions is costly and complex.
Most lab-grown diamonds today are manufactured using a method called chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A diamond seed is heated in a chamber by carbon gas, causing carbon to stick to it and grow into the diamond. By using CVD, scientists are able to produce large, gem-quality diamonds at lower pressure and temperature, resulting in a much more cost-effective process. CVD can also be performed at lower pressure and temperatures.
The first patent for CVD was issued in the 1950s. In the 1980s, scientists refined the CVD process so it could produce gem-quality diamonds. Since only one seed could be processed at a time, this took even longer for the process to become commercially viable. As a result, each stone was likely to cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Nevertheless, the technology has become more affordable. Industry analysts reported that in 2008, a lab grown diamond was $4,000 per stone. With the ability to process dozens of seed diamonds at the same time, the cost has lowered to $200-$300 per stone. (The exact number is unknown and is regarded as a trade secret.)
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?
Diamonds made in laboratories are created by replicating natural diamond formation processes.
Diamonds are formed through extreme heat and pressure over millions of years, which transform carbon atoms into beautiful and captivating gemstones.
There is a similar process of growing lab-created diamonds, except they are created in a man-made laboratory over a short period of time rather than over millions of years.
Diamond seeds, or diamond seedlings, are placed in special chambers that simulate conditions on Earth, where they become diamonds.
Eventually, the pure carbon coated seed will transform into a synthetic diamond, which is chemically identical to a natural diamond.
For lab-created diamonds, High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) are used.
Diamond seeds and carbon atoms coated with HPHT are subjected to intense heat and pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch) at 1,500 degrees Celsius and 2,700 Fahrenheit. By contrast, CVD uses less heat and pressure, introducing chemical gases that break down and harden into crystallized carbon atoms instead of using heat and pressure.
There is no difference between the two methods; the result will be the same; a man-made diamond, created from scratch within a few weeks.
How to Tell the Difference between Lab-Created Diamonds and Natural Diamonds
It’s impossible for a gemologist to distinguish lab-grown diamonds from genuine diamonds without specialized equipment. The best way to distinguish lab-grown diamonds from genuine diamonds is by looking at the grading report.
The inclusions of a diamond are examined using magnification by a professional gemologist in order to determine if it is mined or lab-grown. Natural diamonds have inclusions that appear a bit different from lab-grown diamonds. A diamond’s light reflection can also differ between that of a synthetic diamond and a natural diamond.
Lab-created diamonds are typically indistinguishable from natural diamonds, however.
Are Lab-Created Diamonds Worth Anything?
Diamonds are cheaper in 2024, but you don’t get the same value. As we explain in this article, you shouldn’t view your diamond as an investment.
As an example, let’s say a natural diamond retains roughly 50% of its value after purchase, so you shouldn’t ignore its value entirely. Eventually, the value of the diamond will rise (historically, diamond prices rise consistently), so if you ever decide to sell it, you should get at least half (and possibly much more) of its original cost.
This is an absolutely stunning 1.21ct diamond from James Allen that we managed to find. It’s worth $5,220. We contacted several companies that buy diamonds from consumers to ask them how much they’d pay. The diamond was loved and they offered $2,820 for it. This represents 54% of the original price. A diamond’s value will only increase if its price rises (as it has historically done).
Should You Buy a Lab-Created Diamond?
What about someone in the market for an engagement ring? In comparison to a natural diamond, you will definitely save some money with a diamond like this one from James Allen. However, you should be ready for the strong possibility that something similar will appear for a much lower price in the future.
Other reasons may make you choose a lab-created diamond (I have had readers contact me who were engineers wanting a ring, earrings or pendant that was created instead of natural), but it is important to know that lab-created diamonds will lose most of their value over time.
Are Millennials buying lab-grown diamonds?
Synthetic, lab-grown diamonds are becoming more popular among younger generations than naturally mined ones. Due to cost, as well as the perception that lab diamonds are more sustainable and ethical than mined diamonds, the lab diamond market is outpacing the natural diamond market.
Can I buy an engagement ring with a lab-grown diamond?
For engagement rings, lab diamonds are perfect, as long as you know their downsides. They’re chemically identical to natural diamonds, so they don’t differ in appearance or durability from natural diamonds. You will never be able to recoup much (if any) of the purchase price if you ever resell the diamond you buy.
Why are lab-grown diamonds just as expensive?
Natural diamonds are quite expensive, but lab-grown diamonds are still not inexpensive. Lab diamonds require specialized equipment to produce, as well as skilled personnel to cut and polish them. These factors into the purchase price, along with their inherent value as a beautiful and durable gemstone.
Is there a reason people don’t buy lab-grown diamonds?
Lab diamonds have a lower rarity compared to natural diamonds, so some people do not want to buy them. Each natural diamond is a one-of-a-kind gem that has been created for billions of years. Natural diamonds retain much more of their monetary value over time as well as their sentimental value. As long as people continue to value this, natural diamonds will continue to be popular. Get more info about CUBIC ZIRCONIA GEMSTONES Jewelry for Sale.
The Bottom Line
If you purchased a lab-created diamond just one year ago, you would see the same diamond on sale for a fraction of what you paid. It seems that the lab-created diamond market is getting ripped off. The result is an opportunity that has been created as well as some risks that we will discuss below.
If you are on a budget and are not as concerned about the timelessness of a natural diamond, you can get a beautiful lab-created diamond at an excellent price. James Allen offers lab-created diamonds at an excellent price. Check out this 1.73ct diamond from James Allen for an incredible price. It is impossible to find a natural diamond of this size for anywhere near the same price. Blue Nile is another retailer to check out. Their collection includes a beautiful square 2ct cushion cut.