Lab Grown Diamonds - F.A.Q.

Oval Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

What are lab grown diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are optically and chemically identical to real diamonds. Natural diamonds form within the Earth’s mantle, while lab grown diamonds are made in a lab using cutting-edge equipment that mimics the conditions in which natural diamonds form.

If you'd like to check out our lab grown diamond jewelry, all ya gotta do is click right here. We have a small selection at the moment, but are adding more items every week. Any of the moissanite jewelry items in our shop can be set with a lab diamond, and of course we do custom designs as well.

How long is the process to grow a lab diamond?

While a mined diamond can take 1 to 3 millions years to form, diamonds can be grown in a lab in as little as 2-6 weeks.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes, lab grown diamonds are composed of 100% carbon, just like a natural diamond. Although the vast majority contain trace amounts of other elements, particularly nitrogen, giving them a yellow color or (rarely) boron, which can give them a blue color, often referred to as a blue nuance. In most cases, they also typically contain inclusions, tiny bits of foreign matter trapped in the stone.

Can a jeweler tell the difference between a natural and a LG diamond?

Yes, with specialized testing equipment they can tell the difference. You cannot tell the difference with the naked eye, but you can use a jeweler's loupe (small magnifying glass) to look for a laser inscription on the girdle of the gemstone. All lab grown diamonds are to be inscribed with the letters LG and a certificate number.

Is a lab diamond the same as a simulated diamond?

No. Lab diamonds look identical to natural diamonds. The term "simulated diamond" refers to gemstones that look like a diamond, but are not 100% carbon. For example, moissanite or cubic zirconia.
Lab Grown Diamond - HPHT vs CVD Chart

What is the difference between the 2 types of lab diamond, HPHT and CVD?

HPHT, or high pressure high temperature, tend to be of higher quality than CVD lab diamonds. CVD stands for chemical vapor deposition.

The HPHT method is the original method of creating lab-grown diamonds. Gem quality HPHT diamonds were introduced in the 1950s. Outside of growing diamonds, the HPHT process can also be used to enhance the color of diamonds to make them colorless, pink, green, blue, or yellow.

The CVD method was created in the 1980s. The CVD method imitates how diamonds form in interstellar gas clouds. The CVD method uses less pressure than the HPHT method as well as smaller machines.

Fun fact about natural diamonds...

Although the FTC says diamonds are essentially pure carbon, the vast majority of natural diamonds contain trace amounts of other substances, particularly nitrogen, which gives them a yellow color or (rarely) boron, which imparts a blue color. In addition, they usually contain inclusions, tiny bits of foreign material that were trapped in the still-forming diamond millions of years ago.