About Lab Grown Diamonds

If there is one extraordinary development that has occurred within the diamond industry in recent years, it surely must be the stunning rise of lab grown diamonds as an alternative to mined natural diamonds. To bring you up to speed, we have pulled together some of the most common topics and questions about lab grown diamonds to help you make the best decision when looking for your next diamond ring.

The rising popularity and demand for lab grown diamonds

There are several factors that are fueling consumers demand for lab grown diamonds. These factors include better purchase price of lab diamonds as well as perceived environmental and ethical factors when compared to mined diamonds. Multiple consumer survey’s about customer intentions show that millennials (the target age group for engagement rings) are increasingly becoming educated about the lab-grown diamonds and wanting to purchase a lab-grown diamond above a mined diamond. These changing attitudes are likely to grow rapidly as consumers gain the knowledge to make a fully informed decision.

Snapshot of how lab grown diamonds are made

The primary difference between natural and lab grown diamonds is how they are produced. Natural diamonds are mined under the earth's surface and have formed over billions of years, while lab grown diamonds are grown in a laboratory using a natural diamond seed either through High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Disposition (CVD)

The HPHT method involves placing a diamond seed in a purpose built press or growth chamber where extreme heat and pressure is applied. This then allows carbon atoms to precipitate on the diamond seed crystal and enables the lab grown diamond to grow. Once grown to a required size it will then be cut and polished. As part of the growth process HPHT diamonds use a metal catalyst and as such can have metal inclusions.

The CVD process involves a diamond seed crystal being placed in a diamond growth chamber where it is filled with carbon containing gas. The chamber is then placed under extreme heat causing carbon to precipitate and deposit on the diamond seed crystal slowly forming the diamond. Once grown to a required size it is then cut and polished. CVD diamonds do not contain metal inclusions but as part of the growth process can come with graphite or other mineral inclusions. Some CVD diamonds may also have post pressure and temperature treatment applied to them after they are grown and will have this listed on the lab diamond certificate.

Visual Differences in Lab Grown vs Natural Mined Diamonds

There is no visual difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds. They sparkle and optically look exactly the same. Even to the trained eye such as a jeweller it would be near impossible to see the difference between a lab grown or mined diamond. Lab grown diamonds can be distinguished from natural diamonds if specialised equipment is used to test them.

Are you lab-grown diamonds fully certified?

Yes absolutely, all our lab grown diamonds are certified by the International Gemological Institute and Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (IGI and GCAL). IGI and GCAL are both highly respected and experienced diamond grading laboratories which is why each lab grown diamond purchased through us comes with a detailed IGI or GCAL diamond certificate.  

 

Are lab grown diamond less expensive then natural mined diamonds?

Yes lab grown diamonds cost less than mined natural diamonds and offer excellent value when compared to mined diamonds across the 4Cs (carat, colour, clarity and cut). All our lab grown diamonds can be transparently viewed through our diamond portal where customers can view 360 degree high definition videos of each of our diamonds along with detailed diamond grading certificates.

Why purchase a lab grown diamond from KAVALRI?

Our philosophy is centered around providing our customers with the transparency, knowledge and choice so they can decide what is best for them. We are one of the leaders in the lab grown diamond market and proudly offer one of the largest databases of lab grown diamonds that are available for our customers to view through our fully transparent diamond portal.

We are all about providing a relaxed, stress-free jewellery shopping experience for our clients and we invite you to discover the KAVALRI difference yourself!