Lab grown diamonds are up and coming trend in the jewelry industry. The process to grow them is mysterious, complicated, but with expert advice, there's bound to be no shortage of absolutely breathtaking pieces.
The History of Lab Grown Diamonds
The history of lab grown diamonds is relatively short, with the first successful creation of a diamond taking place in 1955 by two researchers at General Electric. The team, led by Herbert Strong and James Butler, used a method known as chemical vapor deposition to create a small diamond. This was a groundbreaking achievement at the time and opened the door for further research into lab grown diamonds.
In the early 1990s, two more significant milestones were achieved in the realm of lab grown diamonds. Firstly, IBM successfully created a large diamond using high-pressure high-temperature synthesis - a method that would later become the standard for producing commercial quantities of lab grown diamonds. Secondly, Ashoka Diamonds grew the first yellow diamond using CVD synthesis. This achievement signaled that it was possible to create not only white diamonds in a lab setting, but also colored diamonds of all hues.
Since then, the production of lab grown diamonds has continued to grow and evolve. Today, there are multiple companies around the world producing them on an industrial scale, with some estimates suggesting that Lab Grown Diamonds could make up as much as 10% of the diamond market by 2030.
Characteristics of a Lab Grown Diamond
Although they have only been around for a few decades, lab grown diamonds are quickly becoming a popular option for those looking for an alternative to traditional diamonds.
Here are some of the characteristics that make lab grown diamonds a unique and attractive choice:
Lab grown diamonds are created through a process of controlled crystal growth in a laboratory environment. This allows for a more consistent and predictable finished product than is possible with natural diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds exhibit the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. They are just as hard and durable, and can be cut, polished, and set into jewelry in the same way.
Because they are produced in a controlled environment, lab grown diamonds tend to be higher quality than natural diamonds. They typically have fewer inclusions and blemishes, and show less color variation.
Lab grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds because they do not require the high investment in mining equipment and labor that is necessary to extract natural diamonds from the earth.
While they may not have the same sentimental value as natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are a beautiful and environmentally-friendly alternative that is sure to continue growing in popularity in the years to come.
Problems with Lab Grown Diamonds
While lab grown diamonds have many benefits, there are also some potential problems with them. One issue is that they are not as hard as natural diamonds. This means that they may not be suitable for use in jewelry or other applications where durability is important. Additionally, lab grown diamonds may be more expensive than natural diamonds, making them less accessible to consumers. Finally, lab grown diamonds still require considerable energy and resources to produce, meaning their environmental impact may not be much better than natural diamonds.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that lab-grown diamonds are the future of the diamond industry. They're more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and purer than mined diamonds, and as technology continues to improve, they're only going to get better. If you're in the market for a diamond, make sure to consider a lab-grown option; it just might be the best choice for you.