What Are The Steps In Making Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are the new kid on the block, but they’re already causing quite a stir in the jewelry world. They’re an exciting alternative to mined diamonds because they come from an eco-friendly process that doesn’t harm the environment or endanger people working in diamond mines. That means less blood on your engagement ring and more money in your wallet! But how exactly do you make these beautiful, sparkly rocks? Here are the steps to producing lab grown diamonds, from start to finish!
The History Of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Originally, lab-grown diamonds were simply called synthetic or simulated diamonds. Scientists have been creating them since 1954 and still continue to improve on their technology. The process known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has allowed them to perfect a method of growing diamond crystals in labs that is nearly identical to how they grow naturally; therefore, they can be considered artificial rather than synthetic. More recently, there has been another breakthrough: gem-quality stones can now be created by replicating a process used by Mother Nature herself when she creates CVD diamonds. These are called carbonado and they were only discovered in 1995; until then all lab-grown were optically flawless but did not contain carbonado or any other flaws that occur naturally—meaning no two were exactly alike.
The Future Of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Manufacturers have also recently been able to create lab-grown brown and black diamonds, which look like an entirely new gemstone that can be cut into different shapes. You can tell lab-grown gems from natural ones by their inclusions, or marks on the surface that indicate they were formed under different conditions than natural gems. There’s even a new type of CVD diamond called Lonsdaleite that is known for its iridescent sheen and would be great to use as a mother stone to clone your favorite jewel. As long as demand increases, it’s only a matter of time before these innovations reach the market. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to creating lab-grown diamonds!
How Are They Made?
Lab grown diamonds, sometimes referred to as lab-created or synthetic, share a similar history with their mined counterparts. They also have physical characteristics that can be described by the four C’s: colorless, crystal clear, cut and carat. In addition to providing consistent quality and value, they come without some negatives associated with natural diamond mines. The process involves four main steps: · Growing/Cultivating· Faceting· Polishing· Grading All lab grown diamonds are actually made up of carbon—the only difference is how they’re formed. Natural diamonds form under high pressure deep within Earth’s crust. While most lab grown diamonds start at room temperature, others begin as tiny pieces of compressed graphite, which are then exposed to high heat and pressure in a vacuum chamber. After a few weeks (or even months), they emerge fully formed.
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Is The Cost Of Lab Grown Diamonds Better Than Natural Ones?
So, how expensive is it to make lab-grown diamonds? While there’s no clear consensus on what they should cost, De Beers has stated that it wants to increase diamond sales by $5 billion from 2016 to 2020 and is looking for ways to sell more lab-created ones. Their target price for a 0.25-carat lab created diamond is about $1,400—about one third of what you’d pay for a natural stone. But De Beers isn’t marketing these stones yet as they focus on trying to bring down their production costs even further so they can compete head-to-head with mined diamonds which currently sell at around 60% less than lab ones.
Lab grown diamonds have only been on sale since last year when a company called Diamond Foundry began selling them online. However, other companies like Gemesis have been selling them since 2003 but only through jewelry stores and select high end retailers who specialize in designer jewelry. That means that if you want to buy lab grown diamonds today, your best bet is to go directly through Diamond Foundry or another company like it. They also plan to expand their online store over time but will continue working with retailers until they reach economies of scale where they can sell directly online without losing money or compromising quality.
How Are Synthetic Diamonds Different From Natural Ones?
When most people think of a diamond, they think of CVD diamonds. While it is true that these are lab-grown and often cheaper than their mined counterparts, they do not necessarily lack all natural characteristics. A lab created diamonds will still give off glitter and sparkle as brightly as a real one, so don’t let their more affordable price point dissuade you from a purchase. Like natural diamonds, synthetic ones vary widely in quality depending on where and how they were made. Remember to always go for reputable sources for your gemstones; just because something is synthetic doesn’t mean it’s low quality!
