What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as lab-created diamonds, man-made diamonds, or synthetic diamonds, are diamonds that are manufactured in a laboratory. Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical, optical and physical properties as natural diamonds. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond, just like those mined from the earth.
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds consist entirely of carbon and possess the unique characteristics that make each stone one-of-a-kind. Lab-grown diamonds, as the name suggests, are grown in controlled laboratory environments, developing different colours and inclusions akin to their naturally occurring counterparts.
At Valentina Fine Jewellery we understand that each client has a unique set of priorities, whether motivated by sustainability or budget, we pride ourselves on being able to offer both options to tailor the experience to our client.
Understanding the Distinctions
The primary considerations between the two lie in their pricing dynamics. Mined diamonds not only come with a higher price tag but tend to retain their value over time. Formed deep within the Earth's crust under intense heat and pressure over millions of years, natural diamonds are revered for their rarity and exclusivity, contributing to their elevated market value.
The relatively new market for lab-grown diamonds translates to more fluctuating price points, consistently offering a more affordable alternative without compromising on brilliance.
Unveiling the Cultivation Process
Although the first lab-grown diamonds emerged in the 1950s, it took several decades of experimentation to achieve the quality that rivals naturally mined gemstones. The two most common methods of growing a diamond in a lab today – Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).
Both methods produce beautiful diamonds that easily rival natural mined diamonds in all of the Four C categories. Without specialised equipment, you cannot tell the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds.
The final product undergoes the same meticulous cutting, polishing and grading processes as their natural counterparts.
Ethical Considerations
