Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds (also called lab created, man made, or cultured diamonds) are chemically, optically and physically identical to earth mined diamonds, but are more ethical, beautiful and affordable than any diamond we will ever get out of the earth. We're replicating the earth's natural process by crystallizing carbon in a modern day lab environment into brilliant diamonds.

History Of Lab Grown Diamonds

GE Produces First Gem-Quality Lab Grown Diamond

In 1971 General Electric produced the first gem-quality lab-grown diamonds by the HPHT (high pressure / high temperature) process. The rough was in the form of small yellow crystals, often with metallic inclusions. Earth's atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, and it is the cause of the yellow color in diamonds. Trace amounts of nitrogen in a diamond will produce a yellow color. Keeping it out of the diamond growing process was impossible at that time.

First Diamonds Were Grown By The CVD

In 1989 the first diamonds were grown by the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process. This process is better suited to growing gem-quality diamonds because fewer impurities are introduced into the diamond.

Small Production, Few On The Market

During the 1990s a small number of gem-quality diamonds were being produced in laboratories, but very few entered the marketplace. These diamonds were costly to produce, and manufacturers needed to reduce costs and improve quality to be competitive in the diamond jewelry market.

Lab Grown Diamonds Hit The Market

By 2010 the quality of lab-grown diamonds had improved significantly. A small but increasing number of lab-grown diamonds began entering the gem and jewelry market. Today, several companies are creating commercial quantities of beautiful lab-grown diamonds with spectacular clarity and color. Now, several percent of the diamonds entering the gem and jewelry marketplace are laboratory-grown. 


In recent years, much work has been done to develop instruments that can be used to separate natural diamonds from lab-grown diamonds. Numerous companies are racing to develop a low-cost machine with a low error rate. Diamond identification abilities are needed for automatic sorting of large quantities of diamonds. Low-cost instruments are also needed for use in jewelry stores and pawn shops.

Separating Lab-Grown from Imitation Diamonds

An ability to positively identify natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and the many imitation materials is essential today for several reasons. First, significant price differences exist between these materials. Second, diamond customers are cautious and want to know exactly what they are buying. And, third, the reputation of every business that sells diamonds is at risk.


Diamond merchants who do not monitor and confirm the identity of inventory coming into their business expose themselves to the risk of financial loss, civil liability, and a loss of reputation. Misidentified merchandise and fraud can enter the supply chain at any level. A barrier for merchants is the high cost of testing equipment. Screening instruments cost thousands of dollars.


Fortunately, both lab-grown and natural diamonds are distinctly different from the many diamond imitations such as cubic zirconia and synthetic moissanite. These imitations differ from lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds in many ways. They have a completely different chemical composition and a variety of different physical properties. Competent gemologists can easily recognize the imitations.

Separating Lab-Grown from Natural Diamonds

Contrary to some marketing messages, lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are not identical in every way. Lab-grown diamonds are produced at Earth’s surface by two different processes: HPHT (high pressure high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition).


Diamond crystals grown in these manufacturing processes inherit characteristics of the manufacturing process that can be used to tell them apart. These characteristics can also be used to separate them from natural diamonds.


The most obvious difference is the shape of the diamond crystals immediately after growth. Diamond crystals grown by the HPHT process normally exhibit cubic and octahedral faces. On the other hand, diamond crystals grown by the CVD process are normally tablular to blocky in shape and have a coating of graphite on four sides.


Some lab-grown diamonds that have been faceted can be separated from natural diamonds by a trained gemologist using standard tools. Using a gemological microscope, the gemologist can sometimes identify inclusions or other features that are unique to HPHT-grown diamonds, CVD diamonds or natural diamonds. HPHT-grown diamond often contains inclusions of the molten metal flux in which the diamond is grown. CVD-grown diamonds often contain tiny dark pinpoint inclusions. Inclusions in HPHT and CVD diamonds were common during the early days of lab-grown diamonds, however, many diamond manufacturers have improved their methods to minimize these inclusions.


A microscope that enables observations under ultraviolet illumination can reveal fluorescent color and crystal growth patterns that are unique to HPHT and CVD production. But, most gemologists do not have this equipment. Even if the gemologist had that equipment, and the necessary training, many diamonds would not be identified with certainty. Thus, more sophisticated tools are needed.


Lab Grown Diamonds FAQ's

  • What is the process of lab grown diamonds?

    Labs use two different methods to grow diamonds—High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). When the HPHT method is used, a small diamond seed is placed into a piece of carbon. ... This pressure and heat begin to melt the carbon, forming a diamond around the initial diamond seed.

  • Do lab grown diamonds test as real diamonds?

    Yes! Lab-grown diamonds test positive on a diamond tester because they're made of crystallized carbon, just as mined diamonds are.

  • How long do lab grown diamonds take?

    Approximately 6 to 10 weeks


    Part of what makes diamonds alluring to people is their history. Lab-grown diamonds take approximately 6 to 10 weeks to develop in a laboratory. Diamonds close enough to earth's surface to be mined today were formed in nature between 1 billion to 3.3 billion years ago.

  • What are the advantages to buying a lab grown diamond?

    Lab-grown diamonds are purer than the stones mined naturally because, unlike mined stones, lab-grown diamonds do not have any dirt or impurities ingrained in them. They also have fewer defects, and show fewer signs of strain in their crystal structure, because they are made under carefully controlled conditions.

Check out our collection of Lab grown diamond engagement rings!!!