Two types of diamonds are popular today – lab-grown diamonds and earth-created diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds have become much more popular, and that’s because they’re a suitable choice for engagement rings and other types of jewelry. But earth-created diamonds are preferred by people who desire authentic diamonds.
In this article, we’ll explore whether you can tell the difference between these two types of diamond. The brief answer is that you can’t see the difference with your eye alone, only by using a microscope or knowing the manufacturing process. We’ll cover the differences so that you can understand which type is best for your needs.
Earth-Created Diamonds vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds
When looking at these two types of diamonds, you won’t notice any immediate differences. According to the Gemological Institute of America, both are equally hard and durable, and they’re both real diamonds. Earth-created and lab-created diamonds can also be measured according to cut, clarity, carat and color, vital measurements for any diamond.
The differences emerge when you zoom in on diamonds at the microscopic level. Earth-created diamonds have trace amounts of nitrogen, whereas lab-grown diamonds contain no nitrogen. This is a crucial metric for determining whether a diamond is natural or synthetic.
Differences in Creation Between Earth-Created and Lab-Grown Diamonds
Although the nitrogen quantity is the main difference between the two types of diamonds once they’re ready to buy, there are numerous differences during the creation stage. It’s worth covering these to give you more information.
Natural diamonds are created from pressure underneath the earth’s crust. This takes millions of years, and to reach jewelry shops they need to be mined, cut, and then polished.
Lab-grown diamonds are manufactured inside laboratories, and the process typically takes a few months. This is a significant improvement compared to the time taken for natural diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished in the same way as earth-created diamonds, so there are no other differences.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: How They’re Made
Natural diamonds are formed by the actions of the earth over long periods. But lab-grown diamonds have a more complicated creation process. There are two methods available – Chemical Vapor Disposition and High Pressure High Temperature. There are no significant differences in lab-grown diamonds created from either approach.
CVD works by using a seed crystal inside a chamber. This seed crystal is a tiny diamond seed. Once in the chamber, it’s filled with gases and then heated. At the appropriate temperature, carbon layers form. The seed then grows, and a square diamond crystal emerges.
HPHT mirrors the natural process the earth goes through when creating diamonds but vastly accelerates it. It relies on natural graphite inserted into a crushing machine that applies high temperature and pressure. This transforms the graphite into a diamond.
Telling The Difference
Now you’ve read this article, you’ll know there isn’t much difference between earth-created and lab-grown diamonds beyond their creation method and nitrogen quantity. These won’t affect the appearance of the diamond, so you can have peace of mind regardless of which type you choose.