What Are Lab-Created Diamonds?

What are lab-created diamonds? Bling Advisor is here to answer all of your questions about what lab diamonds are and how we use lab-created diamonds in our custom jewelry to save you money.

Are Lab-Created Diamonds Diamonds Real?

Simply put, yes! Unlike diamond lookalikes (cubic zirconia, moissanite, etc.), lab-created diamonds are real diamonds! Lab diamonds are made up of the same composition as mined natural diamonds. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties, and the human eye can’t distinguish a mined diamond from a lab diamond. 

Want to learn more about moissanite, a popular diamond simulant? Read our blog post here!

How Are Lab Diamonds Made?

There are two methods for creating lab diamonds. The processes take between several days and a few weeks. The first method is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). It was the first process for creating lab diamonds, invented by William Eversole in 1952. It works by taking a natural diamond slice, or the tiny carbon seeds that come from pre-existing mined diamonds, and placing them in a chamber with high temperatures and pressure, along with gasses like methane and hydrogen. Carbon is freed as a reaction, and this grows new diamond crystals. The CVD process typically produces brown or gray diamonds that have to be turned colorless using another process called HPTP.

HPTP stands for High-Pressure High-Temperature and is another method used to create lab diamonds. This process mimics the extreme conditions that form natural diamonds in the Earth’s mantle. Much higher pressure and temperature are applied to a diamond seed that is placed in pure carbon. This causes the carbon to melt, and a diamond forms around the seed. The HPHT process is also used to treat the hints of yellow or brown in natural mined diamonds, enhancing the color of the stone.

Lab Created vs Natural Diamonds

Because advanced lab processes can produce real diamonds, they are practically indistinguishable from mined diamonds and can be produced responsibly. Experts can typically only spot differences between lab diamonds and mined diamonds through advanced testing. With advanced testing, experts can see evidence of a diamond’s origin based on the growing process. Like mined diamonds, lab-created diamonds can have different cuts, color, clarity, and carat weight (also known as the 4 Cs). This means that you can find the quality and carat size lab diamonds you’re looking for for your jewelry project.

Lab-created diamonds have the same brilliance and hardness as naturally-occurring stones, and they can be appraised and insured just like natural mined diamonds. Your lab-created stone should come with a gem certification that identifies it as being lab-grown. Lab diamonds can be certified by gem grading labs like GIA, IGI, HRD, and GCAL.

Because no new mining is required to create a lab diamond, lab diamonds don’t carry the same responsible sourcing concerns. They can also be produced more cost-effectively, making them slightly more affordable than naturally-occurring diamonds. At Bling Advisor, we can help you find a lab diamond that costs you 30-50% less than a natural diamond! The best part? You have the same options for the 4 Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. 

Want to learn more about the 4 Cs? Read our post here.

Using Lab Diamonds in Custom Jewelry

Lab-grown diamonds can be used in custom jewelry in the same way as natural diamonds! Lab diamonds are an excellent choice if you want the brilliance and hardness of a diamond at a lower cost. Alternatives to mined diamonds are becoming more and more popular in engagement rings, but if you want a real diamond at less cost, a lab-created diamond is the way to go. Other options, like moissanites, are a popular choice but they are not real diamonds.

We can help you find the right lab diamond for your custom jewelry project! Looking for a custom engagement ring? We can find the right lab diamond for you that will keep you on budget! Our custom jewelry process saves you money every step of the way.

Whether you are looking to create a custom engagement ring or a customized gift to celebrate a special moment in your life, we are your Bling Advisors! We can put together a custom package that fits your budget and saves you hundreds, if not thousands, off of book price. We do true custom jewelry, meaning that you get to start from scratch on your jewelry piece! Send us your inspiration and we will create the custom jewelry piece you have been dreaming of.

Start your custom jewelry project today.

Read more about lab diamonds here.