Choosing Your Diamond | Lab Grown vs Natural

Diamonds are timeless and beautiful. They will forever put a smile on the face of their wearers. Diamonds are also considered symbolic as they may reflect spending your life with someone special. Genuine diamonds are finite as they are mined. Diamonds can also be created in a laboratory.   

The Natural Process 

Diamonds form when carbon is exposed to extreme heat and pressure, 700,000lbs per square inch. This happens 90 – 125 miles below the surface in kimberlite rock. This process can take millions of years or just a few days. Every diamond is unique.

Developing An Alternative

Scientists have attempted to replicate diamonds since the discovery was made that they form by pure carbon being crystallized in 3D. With that earthly insight, the race to create a perfect replica began. A perfect alternative has been created and it gives people the opportunity to choose their diamond source. The reason people would be inclined to choose a lab grown diamond instead of the natural process would be the less expensive entry point to get a diamond of their dreams. Lab grown diamonds are considered to have a reduced impact on the environment and are an ethical alternative to mined diamonds. Phoenix Jewellers only sources diamonds certified from the Kimberely Process, a global effort to stop unethical diamonds from getting into the marketplace.

There is a growing demand for lab created diamonds and the laboratories are able to meet the capacities to manufacture them accordingly. Specialized pressure chambers are able to replicate the conditions of nature. Since 2018, high-quality diamonds have been manufactured in large quantities.

The Two Lab Processes

CVD- Chemical Vapour Deposition

CVD requires a thin diamond slice or a graphite source to serve as the process seed for the chemical building. A vacuum chamber rids any contamination to a high level (about 20 millitorr). A carbon-rich gas, methane, hydrogen or oxygen is injected into the chamber.

As the diamond is constructed layer by layer, energy is employed to dissolve the chemical bonds holding the gases together. Heat or ionized plasma can be used to provide this energy. The pure carbon sticks to the diamond slice and starts to solidify. A pure carbon diamond has been formed! As the diamond is constructed layer by layer, energy is employed to dissolve the chemical bonds holding the gases together. Heat or ionized plasma can be used to provide this energy. The pure carbon sticks to the diamond slice and starts to solidify. With the process completed a diamond made entirely of carbon has been developed.

HPTP- High Pressure, High Temperature

HPHT diamonds begin with a diamond seed submersed in carbon. The seed is then exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure. The carbon melts and a pure carbon diamond grows around the seed.

Whether your preference is a genuine or lab grown diamond, they are a symbol of love and prosperity. Our Phoenix Jewellers family is excited to help you with all of your diamond needs!

Learn more about how Diamonds are graded using the 4C’s