Everything you need to know about lab-grown Diamonds

Ah, the excitement of shopping for diamond jewelry – there’s nothing quite like it. Throw in the dimension of shopping for a diamond engagement ring, and the excitement really kicks up a gear, as well as the pressure to make the right choice.

When looking for the perfect diamond engagement ring, you have most likely come across all types of diamonds and you are now familiarizing yourself with cut, clarity, color and carat. You may have also come across lab-grown diamonds and wondered what they were – well, you’re in the right place.

In recent years, the ethics and sustainability dimension of the diamond industry has paved the way for lab-grown diamonds to become more common and synonymous with the same quality and prestige of mined diamonds.

At RIMON jewelry, we know that our clients are smart, worldly and conscientious people who want to understand the ins and outs of the jewelry that they are buying, so that it may be cherished for many years to come.

Lab-grown are then certified in exactly the same way as a mined diamond. There are very slight differences between a lab-grown and mined diamond, but you would not be able to tell unless you were an expert in the diamond field.

In this complete guide to lab-grown diamonds, we will take you through all of the frequently asked questions, as well as walking you through how lab-grown diamonds are made and whether or not you should buy one.

Are lab-grown diamonds completely different to natural diamonds?

The short answer is no – they are identical in all ways apart from in the ways that they are formed/grown. It is the job of the lab specialists to mimic the exact way that natural diamonds are formed, but within a lab setting. This makes them chemically, physically and aesthetically the same.

Are the cuts of lab-grown diamonds the same?

Yes – a common misconception is that the cutting process is different for lab-grown diamonds,
however, this is not true. Lab-grown diamonds are still cut to the same high standard as natural diamonds.

Are lab-grown diamonds made in bulk and quite cheap?

Creating gem-grade diamonds
in a laboratory is still a highly expensive process – but it is still far cheaper than mining for diamonds.

When mining diamonds,
many diamonds will not meet the standard required for them to be used for jewelry, which can be quite wasteful and non-eco-friendly. Lab-grown diamonds
on the other hand, are far less wasteful.

What is the difference between lab-grown diamonds and a diamond simulant like Moisannite or Cubic Zirconia?

Lab-grown diamonds are
diamonds in every way, and are graded as such. There is no separate grading system between a lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond, because of how similar they are in their structural formation and material composition.

Moisannite and cubic zirconia are, on the other hand, structurally and visually different gems. This
is why lab-grown diamonds are exploding in popularity in a way that is unparalleled with any other gemstone that is used in coveted jewelry, such as engagement
rings and wedding rings.

How can anyone tell the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds?

The differences between the two types are two-fold; you can tell by looking at the growth structure as well as looking at how the inclusions are formed. However, only gemologists with equipment such as a UV transparency device or phosphorescence imaging
device will be able to notice these differences.

The two ways that lab-grown diamonds are grown

In the process of the HPHT method, the ‘diamond seed’ is put into the purest form of carbon. The next stage of the process includes a – you guessed it – high pressure being applied to the diamond. The high pressure is applied by using either a cubic press, a split-sphere (BARS) press, or a belt press.

The next part of the process is – you guessed it again – a high temperature being applied to the
diamond – a whopping 2,700 Fahrenheit. Both of these controls, the high pressure and high temperature, are there to mimic the colossal pressure and
heat that mined diamonds are subjected to in the Earth’s mantle where they are made.

The pressure and heat melt the carbon, and a pectacular diamond is formed around the diamond seed. A cooling process is then applied, and c’est voila – a stunning diamond is born.

As in HPHT, a small diamond seed is placed within a controlled environment that is heated to a
slightly-less-hot 1,400 Fahrenheit before having carbon-rich gases added to the mix. An ionizing process then takes place, transforming the gases into a plasma – pretty cool stuff.

Just like when you see a laser hitting an object in a movie and turning it into a sludgy mess, the
same is applied here, as the molecular bond of the gas is broken. As it is broken, it attaches to the diamond seed, forming a diamond.

So, should I buy a mined diamond or a lab-grown diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds serve as a cost-saving, budget-friendly way to wear a real diamond of a sizeable degree without having to remortgage your home. They have fantastic longevity, are eco-friendly and alleviate you from any worries around human
rights in the acquisition of your diamond.

They are a fantastic choice if you are looking to purchase the real deal, that you will love every
day of your life, and if you’re less interested in resale value and more interested in your own personal enjoyment of the ring.