Lab grown diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds or man-made diamonds, are a popular alternative to natural diamonds. As the name suggests, these diamonds are created in a lab through a complex process of growing carbon layers on top of one another. They often exhibit similar physical and chemical properties to natural diamonds.
With advancements in technology and growing interest in alternative diamond options, lab grown diamonds have become increasingly popular in recent years. Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or other forms of jewelry, there are many benefits to choosing lab grown diamonds over traditional natural diamonds.
One of the main benefits of lab grown diamonds is that they are typically much more affordable than natural diamonds, making them an attractive option for many shoppers looking for an engagement ring or other diamond jewelry. In addition, lab grown diamonds are highly durable and resistant to damage, making them a good choice for everyday wear.
How are lab grown diamonds made?
Lab grown diamonds were first made in the year 1955 by two American scientists. Dr. Harold M. Cicotte and his associate Dr. John C. McKee were the first to successfully create a lab grown diamond using the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method.
This method is still used today to create lab grown diamonds, although there have been many advances in the technology since 1955. But it’s not the only available option. Below is a detailed look at the methods of creating lab grown diamonds:
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
First, a small diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber, where it is subjected to intense pressure and heat.
As the seed begins to grow, carbon atoms are added layer by layer, gradually forming a solid diamond structure.
The final product is a lab grown diamond that exhibits similar physical and chemical properties to natural diamonds. It is, however, while also being more affordable and durable than its natural counterparts.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
Another way to make lab grown diamonds includes the use of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to create bulk 3D objects by depositing carbon on a pre-existing diamond seed. The CVD method uses plasma to create a diamond film from the decomposition of a hydrocarbon gas.
What to consider when searching for a lab grown diamond engagement ring
When shopping for lab grown diamonds, it is important to consider the following factors:
● Cut: The cut of a diamond determines its symmetry, brightness, fire, and how sparkly it appears. For example, the Round Brilliant cut is often the best for an engagement ring because it sparkles quintessentially.
● Clarity: This is a measure of the number of blemishes or inclusions that are present on the surface or inside the stone of a diamond. The fewer the blemishes, the better the diamond. Ideally, you’ll want to go with a clarity grade of VS2 or higher when choosing a diamond engagement ring.
● Color: The color of a diamond is judged on a scale from D to Z, where D is “no hue” while Z is “yellow hue”. Diamonds with no hue generally make some of the best engagement rings (and jewelry for that matter). Therefore, the closer your rock is to grade D, the better.
● Carat weight: The carat weight of a diamond is the size of the stone, and is measured by its weight. While the 1.0 carat stone has been favored in the past, more people are shifting towards 1.25 and 1.50 carats for engagement rings.
If you’re not sure about the best lab grown diamond engagement rings, make sure to visit Rare Carat and compare the various available options. Rare Carat has over 1 million diamonds in the database, allowing shoppers to easily search, filter and compare different options based on their budget, desired carat weight, and cut quality, among other factors.
How to use Rare Carat to compare lab grown diamonds
Rare Carat Review is essentially like Kayak, but for diamonds. It allows you to easily compare and filter different lab grown diamond options until you find the perfect one for your needs. While you don’t need to sign up to Rare Carat to search and compare diamonds, creating an account can help you favorite and save your most preferred stones.
In addition, Rare Carat has a unique “chatbot” named Rocky that allows you to ask questions and get personalized recommendations directly from a virtual assistant. So, while you’re spoilt for choice, you can bet that Rare Carat will help you find the lab grown diamond that matches your needs.