Lab grown diamonds are the latest fashion trend! At least, that’s what some jewelry companies would have you believe. But do they deserve to be called diamonds? And do they have any real benefit over the real thing? Let’s take a look at lab grown diamonds and see what they have to offer you.
Introduction To Lab Grown Diamonds
The advent of synthetic diamonds has been on a path similar to that taken by traditionally mined diamonds. The cost and difficulty in mining natural diamonds have led to a huge demand for lab grown alternatives, and one CVD (chemical vapour deposition) technology is leading the way. Lab grown diamonds—or synthetic diamonds—are created using controlled conditions inside a lab and are grown at extremely high temperatures, around 1,800 degrees Celsius or 3,270 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re not yet as popular as their mined counterparts because they often can’t be used for jewelry purposes due to imperfections caused by their growth process. But new advances being made in CVD diamond manufacturing could soon change that…
So, How Are They Made Anyway?
To be clear, diamond is one of a handful of minerals that is truly mined, meaning that it must be cut and polished from larger rocks and is typically farmed out to companies that specialize in nothing else. However, for lab-grown diamonds (and some other gemstones), which are often made from similar materials as mined diamonds, these tiny stones come to us more like components from a factory. For example, CVD diamond manufacturer Bhanderi lab grown diamonds creates diamonds by starting with a small amount of material—often powder from silicon carbide or coated layers from an already existing piece—that then gets bombarded with chemical vapours and high pressure. The result is a diamond that has identical properties to a mined stone but costs much less. According to Business Insider, The technology allows manufacturers to grow millions of flawless, high-quality diamonds in a laboratory setting. So why aren’t we all wearing them instead? Well…there’s no way around it: Lab grown diamonds just don’t have quite as much bling factor as their real counterparts. As Forbes notes, they’re known for being whiter than normal gems and lacking certain imperfections; however, their clarity level also means they tend not to shine quite as brightly when exposed to light. It doesn’t help that they can also cost up to 30% less than traditional diamonds either!
How Do They Differ From Mined Diamonds?
While they may not have originated from under a mountain, lab grown diamonds are every bit as pure and beautiful as their mined counterparts. CVD diamonds are even more perfectly formed than naturally occurring diamonds, which can have imperfections that arise during excavation. When properly cut and mounted on jewelry, these imperfections may be difficult to spot—but it’s something to consider when choosing a stone for your engagement ring or other fine jewelry piece. If you want an environmentally friendly choice for your jewelry collection (as well as other reasons), then consider looking into lab grown diamonds instead. They’re often more affordable too! With that said, one thing to keep in mind is that CVD diamonds aren’t chemically identical to natural ones. So if you prefer a natural diamond look and feel, opt for one of those instead. However, if you don’t care about mined versus synthetic or natural versus synthetic, lab created diamonds are certainly worth considering. And since most consumers don’t know what makes them different from each other, chances are high that most jewelers won’t either. That means there will be plenty of room for profit as demand grows for better-looking and more ethically sourced options.
The Future Of Man Made Gems
It used to be that only natural diamonds were real, but lab grown diamonds have shattered that illusion. These manufactured gems are more affordable and eco-friendly than their mined counterparts and can be created for a variety of uses (including jewelry, semiconductors, and even light bulbs). Plus, they’re not just an item from the future—they’re here now. Take a look at some facts about lab grown diamond technology today.
Conclusions On Man Made Stones
One growing concern among many individuals who are considering purchasing diamonds is that they are not natural. If a consumer is interested in owning or giving a diamond but wants to avoid purchasing one that is synthetic, then it might be smart to buy lab grown diamonds. Although these stones look natural and real, they are completely man made. CVD diamonds manufacturer are constantly working on their creations, ensuring that each stone looks as realistic as possible. The popularity of these gems has skyrocketed over recent years, which means more people have access to buying them without having to pay high prices associated with natural stones. This also means many stores now carry lab grown diamonds and that production facilities have increased greatly all around the world.