Lab grown diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds, are diamonds that are created in a laboratory setting. They are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds, but they are created in a controlled environment. Lab grown diamonds have been around since the 1950s and have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their affordability and ethical production.
Lab grown diamonds are created using two different processes: high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). HPHT is the most common method used to create lab grown diamonds. In this process, carbon is placed in a pressurized chamber and heated to extreme temperatures. This causes the carbon atoms to rearrange themselves into a diamond crystal structure. CVD is a newer process that uses plasma technology to deposit thin layers of carbon onto a diamond seed crystal. This process creates larger lab grown diamonds than HPHT.
Lab grown diamonds have many advantages over natural diamonds. They are more affordable than natural diamonds because they do not require mining or other costly extraction processes. They also have fewer environmental impacts since they do not require large amounts of energy or water for production. Additionally, lab grown diamonds can be produced in any color or clarity grade desired, making them more customizable than natural stones. Finally, lab grown diamonds can be produced quickly and in large quantities, making them more readily available than natural stones.
Despite their advantages over natural stones, there are some drawbacks to lab grown diamonds as well. For example, they may not hold their value as well as natural stones due to their mass production and lack of rarity. Additionally, some people may prefer the unique characteristics of natural stones over those of lab-grown ones due to their one-of-a-kind nature. Finally, some jewelers may not accept lab-grown stones for repairs or resizing due to their lack of experience with them compared to natural stones.
Overall, lab grown diamonds offer an affordable alternative to traditional mined stones while still providing the same beauty and sparkle that consumers expect from diamond jewelry pieces. They also provide an ethical option for those who want to avoid contributing to the environmental impacts associated with mining operations while still enjoying the beauty of diamond jewelry pieces without breaking the bank!