FAQs

Laboratory-grown diamonds are new source of diamonds grown above earth. They are identical to diamonds extracted from below earth - chemically, physically, and optically.

According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries: "A diamond is a mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system." FTC revised its definition of diamond that previously read "natural mineral". The Commision no longer defines a “diamond” by using the term “natural” because it is no longer accurate to define diamonds as “natural” when it is now possible to create products that have essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds, noted the Guides. (Source)

Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms crystallize into cubic structures with tetrahedral bonds, making it the hardest substance on earth.

This concept is used to grow diamonds above earth using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) process or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. Diamond growth can occur only when a ‘diamond seed’ is present. A diamond seed is a very thin slice of diamond on which carbon atoms deposit to form strong tetrahedral structure and grows into a larger rough diamond.

There are two basic technologies that enable crystallization of carbon over a diamond substrate – namely High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) technology and the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technology.

In the CVD process, methane gas is activated using microwave energy to a temperature approximately to 2000-3000 F causing it to break and release carbon atoms, depositing onto a diamond substrate. This slowly grows layer by layer, atom by atom. It is a natural process of crystal growth resulting in similar kinds of inclusions and defects that occur in natural diamonds and is beyond human control once the process starts.

In the HPHT process, a diamond seed (real diamond) is placed along with graphite and a metallic catalyst covered with a ceramic shell in growth chamber. As the pressure and temperature increase to about 55 K Bar and 1500 C, respectively the carbon atoms are released from the graphite through the molten catalyst and the atomic process of crystal growth starts on the diamond seed. The diamond grows layer by layer and atom by atom over a period of 8-10 days.The new diamond is cleaned and ready to be cut and polished, just like any other rough diamond extracted from below earth.

IGDA strongly disagrees with the descriptor 'synthetic' that is used by several in the mined diamond industry to create disparity between the two diamonds.

Laboratory-grown diamonds are formed by the “natural growth process” of carbon atoms growing on carbon atoms in a single crystal lattice. Each laboratory-grown diamond starts with a diamond seed and, under the properly controlled conditions, “naturally grows.” Above and below earth diamonds have IDENTICAL carbon structures.

'Synthetic' when used in context of jewellery almost always implies an 'artificial' or a 'fake' which a laboratory-grown diamond isn't. The bottom line is that a laboratory-grown diamond exhibits the same exceptional beauty and brilliance as a natural diamond because it is identical in composition to a natural diamond — that’s right, identical. Not similar. Not a simulation. Not a fake.

More recently, even Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revised its Jewelry Guides and omitted the term 'synthetic' as prescribed qualifiers for laboratory-grown diamonds.

For further reading: IGDA welcomes FTC's revision to the Jewelry Guides

Laboratory-grown diamond are 100% pure crystallized carbon, which makes them optically, chemically, and physically identical in every way to an earth-created diamond.

Cubic Zirconia is made of synthetic zirconium dioxide in its crystalline form and is commonly used as a low-cost alternative to a natural diamond; it has absolutely no presence of carbon diamond bonds in its creation, it is simply a crystal cut in a way to mimic the look of a diamond. The lack of crystallized carbon is why Cubic Zirconia (CZ) differs chemically, physically, and optically from a natural or laboratory-grown diamond.

Without using technically sophisticated equipment, it is impossible to differentiate between diamonds grown above or below earth. After all, laboratory-grown diamonds ARE diamonds with the only difference being the place where it was grown.

Today, most retailers inscribe their diamond (girdle) to declare a diamonds' origin and also ensure that a certificate from a grading laboratory is offered to the customer to assure them of their purchase.

Scientists from all over the world and all diamond grading laboratories have subjected laboratory-grown diamonds to rigorous testing and undertaken many studies to ascertain that diamonds from above earth are identical to those from under the earth. Diamonds – whether grown below or above earth – are made of pure carbon containing only SP3 type carbon bonds (tetrahedral bonds) in the cubic crystal structure.

In the revised FTC Jewelry Guides, the Commission cautions marketers that it would be deceptive to use the terms “real,” “genuine,” “natural,” or “synthetic” to imply that a laboratory-grown diamonds is not, in fact, an actual diamond.

For Further Reading: IGDA welcomes FTC's revision to the Jewelry Guides

Grown above the ground, not mined, laboratory-grown diamonds do not contribute to earth mining, ocean dredging or habitat destruction. A significant number of laboratory-grown diamonds growers throughout the world are also pursuing renewable energy sources for their production facilities.

Image courtesy of The Desert Sun

Learn more about laboratory-grown diamonds and sustainability

Recent consumer research by MVI Marketing shows millennials are very open to the idea of laboratory-grown diamonds. The release of MVI’s findings align with those of a Morgan Stanley report calling laboratory-grown diamonds a “serious potential disruptor” to the market.

The MVI report shows that millennials would rather buy larger stones, grown in a laboratory of the same price than a smaller mined stone.

Interestingly, Kathryn Money, Vice President of Strategy and Merchandising at Brilliant Earth, claimed that 'Google searches for laboratory-grown diamonds have tripled in the last decade.

(Also refer to Consumer Acceptance)

Natural diamond mining & extraction techniques have certainly improved in the last few years. But still challenges remain.

Have a look at this news story from the BBC on 8 November 2021.

And how about this story from Reuters on 5 October 2021.

Laboratory-grown diamonds are conflict free and without the challenges of community and environmental disruption that are associated with natural diamond mining.

Learn More About Laboratory-Grown Diamonds and Sustainability