The diamond industry has a question that is on everyone's mind today: Are lab-created diamonds really diamonds? This argument has been perplexing consumers for decades. The answer is simply yes - lab-created diamonds are diamonds. They have the very same chemical composition and physical characteristics as natural diamonds. The one and only difference is their origin.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Lab-created diamonds are a new advancement in gemstone development. The stones develop in controlled laboratory environments with the help of sophisticated technology. Researchers replicate the same processes that form natural diamonds beneath the Earth.
How They're Made
There are two primary techniques used to create lab-grown diamonds today. The High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method is the most similar to nature. It employs very high pressure - approximately 725,000 pounds per square inch. The temperature is 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. A microscopic diamond seed is put into this setting with carbon and metal catalysts.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is different. Heated gases that contain carbon dissociate in a vacuum chamber. Carbon atoms deposit onto a diamond substrate layer by layer. This process allows scientists to have more control over the end product.
Both processes produce real diamonds in weeks rather than millions of years. The carbon atoms form the same crystal structure as natural stones.
Are They Considered "Real"?
Most major gemological laboratories consider lab-created diamonds to be actual diamonds. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades them on the same basis. They are given official certification just as for natural diamonds.
The Federal Trade Commission finalized this in 2018. They decided that lab-created diamonds are diamonds. The term "natural" is no longer necessary to describe real diamonds. This ended the authenticity debate once and for all.
These stones are appraised by professional appraisers for insurance. Luxury brands feature them in their jewelry collections. They are retailed by high-end retailers alongside natural diamonds.
Chemical Physical Properties
Lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds are essentially identical at the molecular level. They're both composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal structure. That's what imparts the same essential properties to them.
Hardness, Refractive Index, Thermal Conductivity
When selecting diamonds, many people focus on the chemical and physical properties of diamonds. Whether they are lab-created diamonds or natural diamonds, their fundamental structure and properties are almost completely identical. The following table shows a comparison of these two types of diamonds across several key attributes, helping you understand their similarities in chemical composition, hardness, refractive index, specific gravity, and thermal conductivity.
Bud of Love Pink Diamond Necklace
| Property | Lab-Created Diamond | Natural Diamond |
| Chemical Formula | C (Pure Carbon) | C (Pure Carbon) |
| Crystal System | Cubic | Cubic |
| Mohs Hardness | 10 | 10 |
| Refractive Index | 2.42 | 2.42 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.52 | 3.52 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 2000 W/mK | 2000 W/mK |
This table demonstrates that whether lab-created diamonds or natural diamonds, they are almost identical in physical and chemical properties; therefore, they perform consistently in many situations.
Inclusions Growth Patterns
Natural diamonds usually have small inclusions from the process of their formation. They may have other minerals or stress fractures. Lab diamonds possess other patterns of inclusions based on how they were created.
HPHT laboratory diamonds are sometimes characterized by metallic inclusions from the growth process. CVD diamonds may exhibit layered growth patterns. These distinctions enable gemologists to determine origin but do not impact beauty or durability.
How Does Lab Diamond Compare to Natural?
Knowing the similarities and differences assists buyers in making knowledgeable decisions. They both have the same uses in jewelry but differ in characteristics.
What's the Same
They appear virtually identical. Both kinds sparkle with equal intensity. You notice the same neat effects - brilliance, fire, and sparkle. Most people can't really distinguish between them just by sight.
Both varieties are found in the same range of colors. They may be colorless or fancy colored. The same D-Z color scale is used in the grading system. Clarity grades are the same for both varieties.
They're just as durable, too. Both can handle chipping and scratching like champs. They keep their shine and sparkle for ages. With the right care, both kinds stay gorgeous for years to come.
What's Different
When selecting diamonds, consumers typically consider factors such as price, quality, origin, and environmental impact. Lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds have many differences in these aspects. Although they are very similar in appearance and physical properties, there are significant differences in their formation process, price, ethical issues, and environmental impact. The following table provides a detailed comparison of the main differences between the two, helping you make a more informed choice.
| Aspect | Lab-Created Diamond | Natural Diamond |
| Formation Time | Forms in 2-4 weeks in a controlled environment | Forms over 1-3 billion years deep within the Earth's mantle |
| Price | 60-80% cheaper than equivalent natural diamonds | More expensive due to natural formation process and rarity |
| Size/Quality | Larger sizes or better quality grades for the same price | Smaller sizes or lower quality for the same price |
| Origin Trace Elements | Trace elements are associated with the production method | Trace elements indicate geographic origin, such as nitrogen, boron, or hydrogen |
| Graining | Various types of graining may appear; CVD diamonds often show layered growth lines | Occasionally exhibits graining due to growth stress |
| Fluorescence | Unique fluorescence patterns based on the creation method | Different fluorescence patterns visible under ultraviolet light |
| Environmental Impact | Smaller environmental footprint; uses renewable energy in modern facilities | Mining disrupts ecosystems, consumes water, and has a high carbon footprint |
| Ethical Considerations | Ethical, conflict-free; fully transparent supply chain | Potential for conflict diamonds and ethical concerns from mining operations |
| Supply Chain Transparency | Fully transparent from production to sale | Often lacks transparency, especially with natural mining sources |
Are Terms of Diamonds Being Clarified?
The language of diamonds has changed considerably. Knowing the terms prevents confusion in the market.
The phrase "real diamond" traditionally meant natural diamonds. However, this usage has become outdated. Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are equally "real" from a scientific standpoint.
Those in the industry now employ more precise terminology. "Natural diamonds" and "lab-grown diamonds" clearly differentiate origin without challenging authenticity. This more transparent terminology assists consumers in better comprehending their choices.
4 Methods to Distinguish Between Natural and Lab-Created Diamonds
Method 1: Professional identification needs specialized equipment.
Basic gemological equipment can't effectively separate the types. Even seasoned gemologists require sophisticated instruments for correct identification.
Method 2: Photoluminescence spectroscopy shows growth features.
This machine examines how diamonds react to particular wavelengths of light. Various processes of formation leave unique signatures.
Method 3: Diamond screening equipment provides yet another means of identification. These units pick up on slight variations in electrical properties, though some machines can only offer initial sorting, with conclusive identification generally taking several tests.
Method 4: Advanced laboratories use sophisticated analysis techniques.
These include infrared spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence imaging. Such methods can definitively determine the origin with high confidence.
4 Essential FAQs About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Q1. Do Lab Diamonds Test Positive on Diamond Testers?
Yes, lab-created diamonds test positive on regular diamond testers since they share the same thermal and electrical conductivity characteristics as natural diamonds. Simple diamond testers detect these physical characteristics to separate diamonds from simulants such as cubic zirconia or glass. Because lab diamonds are actual diamonds with the same carbon crystal structure, they react the same to these tests. Specialized equipment is required to differentiate between lab-grown and natural diamonds, which is why professional gemological analysis is required for certain identification.
Q2. Can Lab Diamonds Be Utilized in Fine Jewelry?
Absolutely! Lab-created diamonds are great for fine jewelry such as engagement rings, wedding bands, and high-end pieces. They're equally as durable, shiny, and beautiful as natural diamonds, and they also save you a lot of money. Many high-end jewelry brands are incorporating lab diamonds into their lines nowadays. These diamonds are certified by reputable gem institutes and can be set the same way natural diamonds can. Because they share the same characteristics, they function equally well in all types of jewelry.
Q3. Do Lab Diamonds Fade or Discolor Over Time?
No, lab-created diamonds retain their color and brilliance forever, the same as natural diamonds. Their crystal structure is stable under normal wearing conditions and will not degrade over time. The carbon atoms are in the same arrangement as natural diamonds, which makes them have the same permanent qualities. With proper care and periodic professional cleaning, lab diamonds will look exactly the same for generations. Any appearance of change is most likely surface dirt or oils that can easily be cleaned away.
Q4. Are Lab Diamonds a Good Investment?
Lab-created diamonds are more appropriately considered purchases for personal enjoyment, not financial investment. Although they do hold value, their resale values tend to be lower than that of natural diamonds because they are so readily available and less expensive to produce. That said, the considerable upfront cost savings over natural diamonds may make this point moot for most shoppers. If you're buying for the beauty, symbolism, and personal gratification instead of appreciation, lab diamonds represent great value. Choose based on your personal priorities and how you will most enjoy using the diamond.
The Final Word on Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-created diamonds are 100% actual diamonds. They share the same chemical composition, physical characteristics, and appearance as natural stones. Choosing between lab-created and natural diamonds simply comes down to a matter of personal preference regarding their origin, cost, and value.
Are you ready to look at your diamond possibilities? Go to a certified jeweler who has both lab-created and natural diamonds available. Have them compare the two side by side so you can see the quality for yourself. Either way, lab-created or natural, you will be getting a real diamond that will provide happiness for years to come.
