Pure Alchemy - What is a lab grown diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds, are created in a laboratory using advanced technological processes that simulate the natural formation of diamonds deep in the Earth's mantle. These lab-grown diamonds are made of the same chemical composition as natural diamonds, which is pure carbon arranged in a crystalline structure.

The process of creating lab-grown diamonds involves two methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). In the HPHT method, a small diamond seed is placed in a diamond press and subjected to extreme heat and pressure to replicate the conditions in which natural diamonds are formed. This causes the carbon atoms to crystallize and grow around the seed, resulting in a larger diamond.

In the CVD method, a diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gases, which are ionized into plasma by a microwave or other energy source. The carbon atoms then bond to the diamond seed, layer by layer, until a fully-formed diamond is created.

Lab-grown diamonds have many benefits, including their affordability, ethical and environmental sustainability, and their ability to offer greater clarity and color than natural diamonds. They are also physically and chemically identical to natural diamonds and are certified by the same reputable gemological labs that certify natural diamonds.

However, it is important to note that lab-grown diamonds are not the same as diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are made from different materials and do not have the same chemical and physical properties as diamonds.