Your Guide to Lab Diamonds
Everything you need to know about how lab diamonds are made and what sets them apart.
Diamond Education
What are Lab Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds that have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. The only difference is origin: lab grown diamonds are produced using precise, high-tech manufacturing processes, while natural diamonds are mined from the earth.
Lab grown diamonds are graded on the same 4Cs as mined diamonds and display the same characteristic brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Because the growth process is designed to mirror natural conditions, there are still variations in color and clarity of lab created diamonds. Not all lab grown diamonds are colorless and flawless.
How Are Lab Diamonds Grown?
Lab diamonds are created by replicating the conditions under which diamonds form naturally, where carbon crystallizes into diamond.
Diamond growth represents one of the most precise and difficult manufacturing techniques humans have ever achieved. While diamond growth has been possible for some time, it took decades of refinement to reliably produce gemstone quality diamonds.
Today, two primary methods are used to grow diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Each approach is suited to different sizes, colors, and characteristics.
High Pressure, High Temperature
HPHT diamond growth occurs within massive pressure cookers. Small diamond seeds are placed into a growth cell and graphite is inserted on top of the diamond seeds. The pressure cooker is heated to 1500°C and pressurized to approximately 70,000 times the pressure at sea level.
At this extreme temperature and pressure, the graphite in the growth cell is melted into liquid carbon and then carefully cooled into the strongest form of carbon: a diamond crystal.
Chemical Vapor Deposition
CVD diamond growth occurs within vacuum plasma reactors. Thin diamond plates are placed in a growth cell and hydrocarbon gas is injected into the reactor. High power microwaves break apart the molecules of the gas, and the carbon atoms precipitate onto the diamond plates, vertically growing the diamond atom by atom.
The resulting CVD diamonds are often subjected to extreme pressure to 'compress' the diamond. This additional step improves the quality of the diamond crystal, giving the diamond better color and light performance.
Understanding Lab Diamond Quality
What you need to know about lab diamond pricing, quality, and how to find the perfect lab diamond.
How are Lab Diamonds Priced?
Lab diamond pricing is based on the same 4C’s as natural diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. However, two diamonds with identical 4C’s can appear very different in real life.
Factors like color nuance and make are not usually reflected on a grading report but have a meaningful impact on a diamond’s value. This is why all of our diamonds are inspected in person prior to being added to our inventory.
Lab grown diamonds are typically priced 50-80% lower than natural diamonds of the same quality.
Why Does Lab Diamond Quality Vary?
Just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds can vary greatly in color and clarity. While diamond growth technology has improved, many growers who are capable of producing nice diamonds actively choose to produce lower-quality diamonds because it is much faster and cheaper to do.
Higher-quality stones take more time and precision to produce, trade at higher prices, and can rival some of the most exceptional natural diamonds.
All of our diamonds are inspected in-house before being shown to our clients, with only the most exceptional passing our rigorous quality control.
How do I Choose a Lab Diamond?
We’re so glad you asked! Our experts are here if you need help getting started!
We recommend starting with a shape and size you like and then finding a diamond that meets your desired specifications.
Here at Ada, we’ve done the hard part for you already by pre-selecting only the most exceptional lab diamonds. Everything you see on our website or at our showroom has already been evaluated across the full spectrum of quality.
See the difference and choose with confidence.
Here at Ada, our diamonds are never sold from a virtual inventory listing. Each one is physically inspected and approved, so every option you see has already met a higher standard.
Build your custom piece online, or enjoy complimentary support from one of our experts who are here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lab Grown Diamonds
- Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
- How Are Lab Diamonds Grown?
- Are Lab Diamonds Better for the Environment?
- Are Lab Diamonds Cheaper than Mined Diamonds?
- Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab Diamonds & Natural Diamonds?
- Are Lab Diamonds Graded by Third Party Organizations?
- Are All Lab Diamonds the Same Quality?
- Do Lab Diamonds Change Color Over Time?
- Does Ada Diamonds Grow its Own Diamonds?
- Can Lab Diamonds be Appraised and Insured?
- How Long Does it Take to Grow a Diamond?
- Is a Diamond Simulant the Same Thing as a Lab Grown Diamond?
