Education
Browse our collection of beautifully crafted diamond and gemstone wedding bands. With an unrivaled selection, you are sure to find the perfect ring to represent your love.
Ethical Lab Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are an exciting and ethical alternative to traditional mined diamonds. Lab diamonds are no different from natural diamonds in several key aspects, which makes them a compelling alternative for many people. Here’s a bit more about them:
Creation Process
Lab diamonds are made using two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). HPHT mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth’s mantle, while CVD uses a gas mixture to deposit carbon atoms onto a substrate, forming diamond crystals. Chemical Composition: Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure. This means they share the same chemical formula (C₁₀) and physical properties.
Quality and Appearance
Lab diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They have the same brilliance and hardness, and they can be graded using the same standards as natural diamonds. The key difference is their origin, including hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), brilliance, and thermal conductivity. They are just as durable and can be used in the same types of jewelry.
Optical Properties
When it comes to light performance, lab diamonds exhibit the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation as natural diamonds. They reflect and refract light in the same way due to their identical crystal structure.
Cost
Lab-grown diamonds tend to be less expensive than natural diamonds. This is due to the more controlled and efficient production process and the absence of traditional mining costs.
Certification
Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can be certified by gemological laboratories. Certifications ensure that the diamonds meet specific quality standards, including cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. (4 C’s)
Variety
Lab diamonds come in various shapes, sizes, and qualities, allowing for a wide range of options for different tastes and budgets. Grading Standards: Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same criteria as natural diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. They are evaluated by the same gemological standards and can be certified by recognized gemological laboratories.
Identification
While lab diamonds are visually and chemically identical to natural diamonds, they can be identified through specific gemological tests and inscriptions. Some lab diamonds are laser-inscribed with identifying marks, and gemologists use advanced instruments to distinguish between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Ethical and Environmental Impact
Unlike many natural diamonds, lab diamonds are produced in controlled environments, which often means they have a lower environmental impact and fewer ethical concerns related to mining practices.
In summary, lab diamonds match natural diamonds in every essential way except their origin. They offer the same quality and appearance while providing a more ethical and often more affordable option.
Shop Diamond Rings by Style
MARQUISE
HEART
EMERALD
PEAR
CUSHION
PRINCESS
ROUND
RADIANT
OVAL
Certified Diamonds
A certification is an independent quality report on a specific diamond. It is issued by a diamond grading laboratory with no affiliation to any retail outlet, giving the consumer a completely objective opinion on the diamond’s quality. The certification includes the exact measurements, proportions, color grade, clarity grade, cut grade and carat weight of the diamond. It also includes specifics that most jewelers do not have the equipment or the knowledge to determine, such as the diamond’s fluorescence, polish, and symmetry. Each certification has its own number, the date which it was analyzed, and a plot chart which shows the internal and external characteristics of the diamond.
