The answer is pretty simple: no! Laboratory grown diamonds are the same physically, chemically and optically compared to “real diamonds”. Basically, it means that without specialized tools we cannot tell the difference between natural and laboratory grown diamonds. Also, they are graded and certificated like naturally grown diamonds by companies such as GIA, IGI, AGS, AWDC and so more. So what makes the difference? The origin of the diamond. Laboratory grown diamonds are made in high-tech laboratories. Where specialized machines and experts try to copy the environment for a diamond to grow. Naturally grown diamonds grow under the deep earth’s surface, where high temperature and pressure form the diamond. And that is the main difference between mined diamonds and laboratory grown diamonds.
How do we make diamonds in laboratories?
First laboratory grown diamonds were made in the 1950s, but they were not good enough to be used in the jewellery industry. Of course, since then we had a huge growth in technology and the diamonds that we make right now are perfect for jewellery usage. Mainly we use High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) method. Both of them are capable of doing high clarity, colourless diamonds. The HPHT method starts with a small diamond seed which is placed in carbon. Then the seed is exposed to high pressure and high temperature, which replicates the way mined diamonds form. The CVD method is mainly focused on using different gases and heat to form the diamond. This method produces type IIa diamonds, which are the purest diamonds, without any additional chemical elements. However, the outcome is different for every method.
As we can see each method gives a different shaped rough diamond. What’s more in both natural and HPHT methods we might see some other chemical elements, what is rare for the CVD method, because scientist control the gases that are added to the process.
Are laboratory grown diamonds better than mined diamonds?
First of all, let’s start with the price. Laboratory grown diamonds are cheaper by around 30% compared to mined diamonds. Why? Because the supply chain to achieve the final version of a diamond is much shorter. We eliminate the costs of mining the diamond, transporting it or even polishing and cutting, because most labs do it by themselves. That’s why the price might differ by even 30%. However, we cannot forget that mined diamonds are not infinite and when the last diamond is mined, its value will grow rapidly. Also ecologically laboratory grown diamonds are better for our environment. Not only because they do not damage it physically to find diamonds deep in the ground, but also because lots of laboratories rely on renewable energy sources and produce much less air pollution than mining diamonds. So I think the answer to this question is yes, but also I know that some people may disagree with me. It brings us to the point of personal preference and what factors are important to us as a buyer.
Why do people call laboratory grown diamonds ”fake diamonds”?
I think their lack of knowledge of the topic and also some misunderstanding. Some people probably think that lab diamonds are something like moissanite or cubic zirconia. Both of the mentioned crystals are more of a diamond wannabe rather than a diamond. They differ chemically, physically and even optically, because they react differently to light than diamonds.
Can the newer advanced technology ultimately devalue laboratory grown diamonds?
I think not. Even if we make a huge amount of laboratory grown diamonds in a short period of time they will still keep their value. It might lower a bit, but its value will never be around cubic zirconia because laboratory owners won’t lose their profit even if they sell millions of diamonds in a day. Also, they will lose buyers that want to buy something luxurious, because lab diamonds will no longer be considered as luxurious products. It will result in losing customers, that are trying to find a replacement which meets their expectations.
To sum everything up laboratory grown diamonds are REAL diamonds not fake! So if you want to buy a new piece of jewellery that has diamonds in it consider buying it with lab diamonds not only to save some money, but also our planet.
Sources:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/difference-between-natural-laboratory-grown-diamonds
https://geology.com/diamond/lab-grown-diamonds/
https://www.namdardiamondsusa.com/blogs/diamond-talk/natural-vs-lab-grown-diamonds
https://www.queensmith.co.uk/diamond-guides/lab-grown-diamonds/how-are-lab-grown-diamonds-made
https://www.cleanorigin.com/about-lab-created-diamonds/
I also think that laboratory-grown diamonds are better than mined ones. Unfortunately, we live in a society full of materialists who will probably make a competition over who has what type of diamond. Honestly, I don’t even care about wearing jewellery, especially one covered in diamonds, but if I had to choose, I’d choose the one made in the lab. It seems even more interesting and valuable to me. Mainly because it doesn’t require destroying the planet we live on. If we continue exploiting Earth’s resources as we do now, we won’t have a world to live in, and no type of diamond will change that.
I think it just matters of trend. Right now diamonds that are minded are more popular, but at some point, there would be a trend for laboratory-grown ones, because with time people become actually concerned with our planet’s health, so through time it just going to be a normal thing to have laboratory – grown diamond and there will be no judgment or thoughts that it is a fake one.