Why Lab Diamonds May be the New "Forever" in the Diamond Industry

Written by Jeff Amasio Wednesday, 29 June 2011 06:50

Trends are suggesting more women are going with lab diamonds over natural diamonds for their engagement rings. Not only are they a fantastic way to save money, but they are stunning, eco-friendly and morally ethical than natural diamonds and the bonus is that they are absolutely real diamonds. Even though lab diamonds may be a new thing for you, it's a great option to explore and with a little information under your belt, you'll be able to confidently purchase a lab diamond.

Trends are suggesting more women are going with lab diamonds over natural diamonds for their engagement rings. Not only are they a fantastic way to save money, but they are stunning, eco-friendly and morally ethical than natural diamonds and the bonus is that they are absolutely real diamonds. Even though lab diamonds may be a new thing for you, it's a great option to explore and with a little information under your belt, you'll be able to confidently purchase a lab diamond.

Diamonds grown in a laboratory setting are usually also known as synthetic diamonds. Being grown much faster than mined diamonds, lab diamonds are formed in high tech facilities with the latest innovation, producing the best possible result: real diamonds. The best thing about them? They are more affordable and indistinguishable from mined diamonds. Not to be confused with cubic zirconia (also grown in a lab but of different material), laboratory grown diamonds are genuine in every way.

Fortunately, there aren't a lot of differences between lab diamonds and natural ones other than how they are formed--particularly since they have the same chemical and crystal properties. Diamonds are formed in the depths of the earth with incredible heat, pressure and volcanic activity while lab diamonds utilize modern technology to create the same end product. It's interesting to note that the lab diamonds use two main processes to mimic the way nature produces diamonds: CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Diamonds take millions of years to form while man has been able to consolidate this process into weeks, allowing for them to be more affordable and not have the unfortunate negative human rights issues attached to the stones.

For a more detailed description of how lab diamonds are made, the equipments being used mimic or duplicate the intense conditions by which natural diamonds are created. Once grown, the laboratory grown diamonds are ready to be cut and polished, according to the jeweler or client's specifications. In most cases, these diamonds are cut and polished to be adorned as engagement rings, earrings, and pendants. Other laboratories who specialize in creating manmade diamonds offer a variety of this gem stone in colors, cut, and shapes. Popular hues include pink, blue, yellow, and orange.

After scientists and chemists have developed scientific methods of producing lab diamonds, the demand for these gem stones have increased rapidly. And, because manmade diamonds are far cheaper, most consumers prefer these as engagement rings without worrying about their budgets.