Lab created diamonds are making the biggest boom because they are better than natural diamonds. They are harder, durable and more brilliant. Is it time to think synthetic diamonds for your engagement ring? Our experts have simplified everything about synthetic diamonds. Get started already!
Synthetic Diamonds Explained
Is synthetic diamond real? How are synthetic diamonds made? Are synthetic diamonds as good as real diamonds? How to produce synthetic diamond? Are synthetic diamonds cheap? Is synthetic diamond a mineral why or why not? Get all your questions answered right now!
What are Lab Made Diamonds?
Referred as manmade or lab created diamonds, synthetic diamonds are manufactured in a laboratory unlike underground like natural diamonds. They have perfect and proportionate crystal lattice plus identical physical properties. Moreover, natural diamonds are unique from one another; however, synthetic diamonds are identical.
What is the history of Synthetic Diamonds?
On 15 February 1955, GE created world’s first synthetic diamonds. It was 14 years ago in 1941 that General Electric had proposed to try their hand at synthesizing diamonds. They created a diamond company cum group in 1951 before creating the first tiny yellow diamond four years later. Although it yellow and tiny carat weight of the synthetic diamonds made it impossible to use them in lapidary (ornamental/ jewelry) works.
Until synthetic diamonds appeared, diamonds were considered the hardest and the best stones in the world. Right now, cubic zirconias can show better radiance and harder lattice at a cheaper rate than natural diamonds.
How are diamonds made in the lab?
Natural diamonds take more than a few years to build while synthetic diamonds can be made in a few weeks’ tops. There are two methods to produce diamonds synthetically.
· Making Synthetic Diamonds by Chemical Vapor Disposition or CVD
You can grow diamonds in an apparatus with moderated pressure and temperature using the CVD method. Synthetic diamonds by chemical vapors is grown in a vacuum chamber using low pressure and ideal temperature. CVD uses methane and hydrogen gas heating to make square-shaped synthetic diamonds.
· Making Synthetic Diamonds by High Pressure + High Temperature or HPHT
By mimicking the natural diamond production, you can make a synthetic diamond using high pressure and high temperature just like it’s made on earth. You get a flat base diamond with cubic and octahedral faces on it.
Can you identify manmade diamonds on GIA certification?
Yes, synthetic diamonds when appraised by GIA, specify the synthetic diamond grading report. The girdle of the diamond is also laser-inscribed with the report number and the statement that it is laboratory grown. It is graded just like a natural diamond by assessing the 4Cs and other properties.
What is Synthetic Diamonds price in 2018?
$3,500 to $5,000 per carat is the cost of synthetic diamonds in June 2018.
Natural Diamonds Vs Synthetic Diamond
Let us compare and contrast the key differences that make natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds to conclude which is a better buy for the engagement ring.
Advantages of Natural Diamonds
What are the pros of Natural Diamonds?
· Exclusive
Natural diamonds are better than synthetic diamonds because they are distinct and unique in physical as well as chemical properties.
· Naturally Made
Organic diamonds take billions of years to produce under high pressure and temperature. The same is why each crystal and even inclusions are special in an organic diamond, unlike manmade diamonds.
· Large Diamonds are Available
It is easy to find natural diamonds in giant size, unlike lab created diamonds.
Disadvantages of Natural Diamonds
What are the cons of Natural Diamonds?
· Pricey
Diamonds naturally found are the most expensive stones in the world. Depending on the 4Cs and many other parameters, the price of a diamond can rocket high.
· Conflicted
Advantages of Synthetic Diamonds
What are the pros of Synthetic Diamonds?
· Conflict-Free
Unlike blood diamonds that fund terrorism to human trafficking and many other criminal activities in the lesser fortunate areas of the world, lab diamonds are conflict-free. Being easy to make, these diamonds aid no war.
· Cheap
When a synthetic yellow diamond costs $3,500 to $5,000 every carat, a natural diamond costs $10,000 to $50,000!
· Multi-Faceted
You can make a synthetic diamond of varied clarity and quality. As it is artificial, the physical and chemical properties can be much different than what you know. Even unnatural colors can be added to synthetic diamonds.
Disadvantages of Synthetic Diamonds
What are the cons of Synthetic Diamonds?
· Large Diamonds Unavailable
You cannot make large diamonds in a lab by any of the two methods mentioned above.
· Identical than Exclusive
Manmade diamonds are not special or distinct as there are high chances for identical stones to exist like the one you have.
Where to Buy Synthetic Diamonds Online
Before you go …
Do you want Synthetic Diamonds or Manmade Diamonds for your engagement ring? What do you think about lab diamonds? Tell us in the comments below.