Lab-grown diamonds are grown in a laboratory environment using advanced scientific technological processes that duplicate the conditions which diamonds are naturally made. Natural diamonds are created when carbon is present and pressure builds in the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. Lab created diamonds consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they exhibit the same optical and chemical properties.Other names you might come across for lab-grown diamonds are; man made diamonds, engineered diamonds, and cultured diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are created from the tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds. There are one of two ways they are created using advanced technology. They either use extreme pressure and heat or a special deposition process known as CVD which copies the method of natural diamond formation. Some man made diamonds created through deposition may also undergo pressure and heat treatment after they are grown. Man made fancy colored diamonds are formed when small amounts of specific trace elements are present during the growth phase of the created diamond, just like in nature. In both white and fancy colored man made diamonds, the exact composition of trace elements may differ from their natural diamond counterparts. A lab-grown diamond can only be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth. In other words, the naked eye can not tell the difference.

Lab-grown diamonds display the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds. In other words, they exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle. Using a jewelry loupe, lab created diamonds are nearly impossible to differentiate from natural diamonds. Lab created diamonds may exhibit different trace elements than natural diamonds that do not affect the appearance of the diamond. Lab created diamonds can be distinguished from natural diamonds only with tests using specialized equipment. Lab created diamonds will always be identified as laboratory grown.

A diamond that is created in a lab is just as real as a mined diamond. They have the same physical and chemical properties and are grown under the same temperature and pressure conditions. Lab-grown diamonds are not mined therefor do not have the the conflict and questionable ethical practices that are common in some diamond mines. In fact, lab created diamonds are often of better quality due to the highly controlled environment and fully monitored process. Other advantages include:

• Greater affordability
• More beautiful due to better, brighter quality and higher purity
• Fewer defects
• Environmentally friendly because they are not being mined
• Colors that are rarely found in nature can be created, making unique and coveted pieces more obtainable
• Trackable origin sources allow you to source diamonds from reputable places that don't engage in poor treatment of workers or communities