Growing diamonds in labs are seen as a new way to produce diamonds. They have the same properties and characteristics as traditional diamonds, but they are made in a lab rather than mined from the earth. Lab-created diamonds could also be used in industrial applications like cutting tools and drill bits because they can be created with high hardness and strength.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are made in a laboratory from a material called carbon nanotubes. These diamonds are made from the atoms of graphite which is usually found in coal, and then they are put through an industrial process to create the diamond.
Process in Making Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are made by growing diamond crystals in a controlled environment. It is created by a process that starts with high-quality natural diamonds and ends with a jeweller’s cut diamond. In between, there is a delicate and time-consuming process of growing the diamond in a laboratory.
Here’s how it works:
- Gather the materials needed for the lab-grown diamond creation. This includes a supply of clean, dry ice and hydrogen gas. The raw material for lab-grown diamonds is high-quality natural diamonds. These are mined in countries like Canada and South Africa, considered some of the most valuable gems on Earth.
- Cut small pieces of carbon material and place them into a container filled with hydrogen gas and dry ice. The goal is to freeze these small pieces of carbon so that they form diamond crystal lattices.
- The process starts by creating a diamond seed using an ultra-high pressure pressurisation chamber heated to around 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit for about two hours.
- Once the diamonds have formed (the process takes about two weeks, and it starts with forming tiny crystals, which then grow into larger ones until they form the diamond), it’s time to clean them up! Use hydrofluoric acid to break down any impurities, and then rinse the diamonds with water to remove any leftover chemicals. The rough stones are cut into smaller pieces and heated until they liquefy. This liquid Diamond Field Sintering (DFS) process softens the hard crystals inside the rough stones, making them easier to work with. Once softened, the DFS process deposits a thin film of carbon around each gemstone, which will become the foundation of our jeweller’s cut diamond.
- After the crystals form, they are removed from the heat and pressure environment and inspected for quality. If they meet specific standards, the diamonds are cut into small pieces and heated up once again to start the growth process of new diamond crystals.
Are Lab Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Lab Diamonds are often touted as the best way to buy a diamond without the hassle of visiting an actual jeweller. They are not natural diamonds but can be close enough to fool you. They are also more affordable for people who cannot afford natural diamonds without compromising quality. The prices vary depending on the size and quality of the stone.
Natural Diamonds Vs Lab Diamonds
The most common question is which is better, natural or lab diamond?
The answer to this question depends on the person who asks it. For example, some people prefer a natural diamond because they believe it will have more resale value and be rarer than its lab-created counterpart. Other people might not care about the rarity of their diamond as long as it looks beautiful on their finger.
Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds
- Laboratory-grown diamonds have many advantages over other types of diamonds because they can be created with less energy, they have better clarity, and they have more outstanding durability than mined diamonds. They also cost less than mined diamonds. After all, you don’t need to dig them up or find them on Earth’s surface as you do with natural stones like rubies or sapphires because they are man-made diamonds.
- Lab-created diamond products are becoming more affordable and are expected to grow quickly. Lab-grown diamond jewellery, especially diamond engagement rings and eternity rings, is catching up to and exceeding the quality of natural diamonds as time goes on. In addition, they don’t require any ethical dilemmas such as human rights violations, child labour, and pollution.
- Furthermore, laboratory-grown diamonds have certain qualities that make them especially desirable for jewellery. For instance, they often have a higher fire rating than a mined diamond.
Conclusion:
- Lab-grown diamonds are a new and emerging technology that has the potential to revolutionise the global diamond industry. As this technology continues to develop, it can provide more options and choices for consumers while also helping to reduce environmental impact.
- Lab-created diamonds offer a more environmentally friendly way to create diamonds and could eventually replace traditional diamond mining. This process is still in its early stages, but with continued research and development, lab-grown diamonds could become an increasingly popular choice for jewellery lovers worldwide.
- By creating diamonds in a controlled laboratory setting, manufacturers can create a more uniform and consistent product. This process could also reduce the environmental impact of diamond production, as well as increase affordability for consumers.
- Growing diamonds in a laboratory offers several benefits over traditional diamonds, including greater transparency and ethical sourcing. These gems hold great potential for both consumers and manufacturers alike.
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FAQs
Where are lab diamonds made?
Synthetic diamond is grown in a controlled environment in the laboratory and often have a lower quality than natural diamonds.
Do lab-grown diamonds last as long as natural diamonds?
Lab diamonds last as long as natural diamonds, but they may not be as durable. Lab-grown diamonds are made by crushing and grinding only the finest of crystals, while natural diamonds are subjected to a series of processes, including heat, pressure and chemical treatment. While lab-grown diamonds have been shown to last up to 10 times longer than their natural counterparts, there is still much we don’t know about the durability of these stones.
How long does it take to create a lab-grown diamond?
It typically takes about a total of three months to two years to grow a single diamond from scratch. To do this, scientists use various methods, including high pressure and temperature. Once the diamond is grown, it must be cut and polished before it can be sold or used in jewellery.