In recent years, lab grown diamonds have transformed the diamond industry. Lab diamonds have become a good alternative for couples who want a piece of diamond jewellery that’s both ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.
Lab diamonds have a lot in common with natural diamonds as both stones share the same physical and chemical properties as each other. The biggest difference between a natural and lab grown diamond is that a natural diamond is created within the Earth’s crust over millions of years. With a lab grown diamond, it takes less time to create these stones as they’re man made in a controlled environment.
This article looks at the history of lab grown diamonds.
What are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Many people confuse these with synthetic diamonds, However lab grown diamonds are far superior to these as they are chemically identical to natural diamonds compared with synthetic diamonds, known as cubic zirconia for example. Lab grown Diamonds are created in a laboratory that simulates the same conditions that cause natural diamonds to form deep inside the Earth. With a lab diamond, scientists use advanced technology with a small piece of diamond known as the diamond seed mixed with carbon. The seed is then exposed to a combination of high pressure and high temperature resulting in diamonds more or less identical to naturally mined ones.
Who Invented Lab Grown Diamonds?
The first Lab grown diamond process was created by H. Tracy Hall, a General Electric chemist in the early 1950’s.
The first lab grown diamonds were small and low quality, making them only suitable for industrial use. Hall’s process for creating lab-created diamonds has evolved over several decades, due to technological advancements. Over time, it led to lab diamonds being suitable for engagement rings and other types of jewellery. Like natural diamond jewellery, you can find lab diamond jewellery in a variety of different shapes, cuts, and styles that customers can choose from.
How are Lab Grown Diamonds Created?
There are two methods to create lab diamonds, High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). When you buy your piece of lab grown diamond jewellery, some diamond grading bodies will show on the certificate how the stone has been created.
High Pressure, High Temperature
High Pressure, High Temperature is the original method that’s used to create lab grown diamonds. With a HPHT-created diamond, it all starts with a diamond seed. The seed is then placed in pure carbon and exposed to a combination of heat and pressure, replicating the same conditions, deep within the Earth’s crust. Once the excess carbon has melted, the diamond is formed around the seed, which is then cooled to create an HPHT diamond.
Chemical Vapor Deposition
Chemical Vapor Deposition is another method that can be used to create lab-created diamonds. CVD was created in the 1980’s and uses a small diamond seed, the seed is placed into a sealed gas chamber, heated over 760 degrees Celsius and filled with carbon-rich gases (hydrogen and methane).
The gases inside the chamber ionise into plasma, due to the high temperatures, releasing carbon which attach to the seed and the lab grown diamond starts to form, leading to the creation of the CVD lab grown diamond.
What Types of Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery Can I Buy?
At Diamond Quarter, we offer a wide variety of lab-grown diamond jewellery for customers to choose from.
From engagement rings to eternity rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings, our team will make sure that you or that special someone has a piece of lab-created jewellery they’ll cherish forever. Whether you are planning to pop the question with a lab diamond engagement ring or treat yourself with a lab-created pendant, we’ll make sure you have the right information to make a well-informed purchase.
Treat Yourself or Someone Special with a Piece of Lab Grown Jewellery from Diamond Quarter
Do you want an ethical and environmentally friendly piece of diamond jewellery? You should consider buying a lab-created diamond ring or earrings. Our experts will be on hand to help you find the perfect piece of lab grown diamond jewellery that they’ll love and treasure for years to come.
Book an appointment at our showroom, located in the heart of The Golden Square in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to find your dream lab grown diamond ring or jewellery piece that you will love forever.