Lab-grown diamonds, also referred to as synthetic or cultured diamonds, have become rather popular in the past few years. Apart from being cheaper than natural diamonds, they are more sustainable and ethical for use in the market. However, many people ask themselves several questions regarding these diamonds: how are they synthesized in a laboratory and how do they differ from natural diamonds? In this blog, you will learn more about lab-grown diamonds and how they are made, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of lab-created diamonds over natural ones.
Understanding Diamonds: A Brief Overview
Before discussing the science behind lab grown diamonds, one needs to know what diamonds are in the first place. Naturally occurring diamonds can be classified as transparent diamonds, brown diamonds, yellow diamonds, cape diamonds, and black diamonds. It is due to this structure that diamonds are hard and have other properties like the ability to cut light and reflect it hence the sparkle.
Natural diamonds are crystallized carbon that is mined from the Earth’s mantle with pressure of 3.5 to 3.9 GPa and temperature of 900 to 1300 Celsius for several billion years. It is extracted from the ground through volcanic activity whereby it is collected and then subjected to mining and refining for the manufacture of jewelry and other related products.
The Two Main Methods of Growing Diamonds in a Lab
There are two primary methods used to create lab-grown diamonds: HPHT and CVD which stand for High-Pressure High-Temperature and Chemical Vapor Deposition, respectively. Both techniques consist of simulating the formation structures under the surface of the earth in manufacturing synthetic diamonds but under controlled conditions.
High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) Method
HPHT method is one of the oldest methods used in the growth of lab grown diamonds. This is because it copies the conditions that exist in nature by putting carbon through heat and pressure.
Process Overview:
The starting material, known as a seed, is an extremely small piece of a natural or previously cultured diamond and can be a fragment.
- To create the subsequent layers of carbon, graphite is deposited around the diamond seed.
- The press exposes the carbon and diamond seed to very high pressures (5-6 Gpa) and temperature (1300-1600 °C).
- Here, the carbon atoms attach to the diamond seed, and the process of growth takes several days or weeks.
It is important to note that once the set size is attained the diamond is cooled and taken out from the press.
Applications:
The HPHT method is often used to produce larger diamonds and is also employed to improve the color of diamonds, making them more desirable for use in jewelry.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Method
Over the past few years, the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method has proved to be the most efficient and reliable technique for depositing thin solid films over a high surface area substrate. The CVD technique of diamond formation is comparatively relatively new. Compared to the HPHT technique, it permits the controlled growth of diamonds and at considerably lower pressures.
Process Overview:
- Diamond seed is kept in a vacuum chamber.
- The chamber is packed with a carbon-rich gas say methane and is then heated to a temperature of 800 to 1200 degree centigrade.
- The gas is electromagnetic microwaves or other types of energy to ionize the carbon-contained molecules into carbon.
- These carbon atoms then deposit on the diamond seed thus forming the diamond layer in a layered manner.
For the formation of a diamond, the process can go on for several weeks especially if a large and high-quality diamond is being formed.
Application:
The CVD method is highly versatile and allows for the creation of diamonds with fewer impurities. It is commonly used to produce diamonds for both industrial applications and high-quality gemstones.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
The two major reasons why lab-grown diamonds are a smart choice are the environmental and ethical considerations. Diamond mining especially in the war-affected regions has been linked to Human rights violations, environmental degradation, and countries with unsafe mining laws. However, lab-created diamonds are cultured in a laboratory and do not require the mining of diamond deposits hence they are more environmentally friendly than mined diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds use considerably less energy and water as compared to the mining of natural diamonds and there are no negative impacts on ecosystems or human settlements that are associated with mining.
The Future of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Its efficiency is expected to increase, as is the quality and availability of lab-grown diamonds in the future. Future developments of both the HPHT and the CVD methods will probably continue to enhance the rate of synthesis, increase the size of the diamonds, and enable the?? scientists to control the color and clarity of the diamonds.
As the customer becomes more conscious about the virtues of ethical and environmentally friendly lab-grown diamonds, they are set to take up more space in the jewelry market, displacing natural diamonds.
Conclusion
While lab-grown diamonds have many advantages over natural diamonds, they are an ethically sourced, brilliant, and much more affordable product that embodies the best of both worlds. Whether you are choosing an engagement ring, an earring, or a pendant Sparkle of lab-grown diamonds at Ritani, offers great choices of a high-quality and well-made lab-grown diamond and princess cut diamond, and much more. Visit Ritani’s collection today and find a special diamond that will be the perfect gift accessory, knowing you’re opting for the product that creates a better tomorrow for people and our planet.
