What Are Lab-Created Diamonds?

Learn more about the differences between lab-created and natural diamonds

Not too long ago, the only diamonds you could buy were ones mined from under the earth. With today’s ever-increasing technological advances, diamonds can come from many other sources. Mined diamonds, lab created diamonds, simulated diamonds, synthetic diamonds and even cubic zirconia are now being renamed into more marketable terms. To avoid getting cheated when buying fine jewelry, read on to learn the difference between lab created diamonds and real diamonds and to make sure you do not sell or trade a real diamond for lab grown.

Not too long ago diamonds were available only in fine jewelry stores and you knew that it was mined from under the earth. In today’s world with ever increasing technological advances we have to learn the difference between mined diamonds, lab created diamonds, simulated diamonds, synthetic diamonds and even cubic zirconias being renamed into more marketable terms. Many people are confused to whether these alternatives are an eco-friendly and low cost option or merely a marketing gimmick.

To avoid getting cheated and better understand what you are purchasing, you should know the difference between lab created diamonds and real diamonds.

Real Diamonds vs Lab Created Diamonds

Real diamonds, or natural diamonds, are mined from under the Earth and are formed by extreme pressure and temperature in the Earth's core. Diamonds are made purely of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms form a crystalline structure in a cubic arrangement. This process takes millions of years and is a very special stone. Synthetic diamonds, or lab created diamonds, are created in a laboratory by simulating these high temperature and pressure situation. A lab created diamond has the same material properties like hardness and thermal conductivity as that of a real diamond, and can be created in just a few months.

It is important to note that diamond simulants (Which are sometimes passed off as Lab Created Diamonds) are neither natural diamonds or lab created diamonds at all. They are just imitation stones that mimic the luster and brilliance of a diamond.

Lab Created Diamonds and The 4 C’s

As we have already established, lab created diamonds have the same chemical and material properties as natural diamonds. But there are some differences between the two.

Color

Lab created diamonds are produced by humans by simulating the same high pressure and temperature conditions, therefore some impurities might remain in the diamond during the manufacturing process. Because of this, only a very small percentage of lab created diamonds are the flawless colorless variety. Because of the presence of trace amounts of nitrogen impurities, a slight yellow tinge in lab created diamonds is seen. Sometimes the presence of boron impurity can make the diamonds blue in color.

Size

Perhaps the most notable difference between man-made diamonds and natural diamonds is in its size. Natural diamonds vary in sizes from ¼ th of a carat to over 500 carats. But lab created diamonds can be produced up to 6 carats only. While 6 carat is what many people would be satisfied with to have in their wedding rings and earrings, some might find this size to be too restrictive.

Cost

Of course the most important difference between lab created diamonds and real diamonds is in their price. Lab created diamonds are at least 25 - 40 percent lower in price than a real diamond with the same color, cut, size and clarity. This makes lab created diamonds more affordable to people who shy away from buying a real diamond.

Re-Sell Value

Perhaps the biggest and most important difference from a lab created diamond and a natural earth mined diamond is the re-sell and perceived value of the stone. While cheaper in price the lab created diamond will not hold value the same way a natural stone will over the years. Many times people who have purchased lab created diamonds find out that when they want to resell their diamond, there is in fact no buyer for the stone. In the future as more and more lab created diamonds come into the market, the natural mined stones will become more rare, and naturally more valuable.

To come see our showroom and learn more about our natural diamonds please call us at 713-785-9600.