Understanding Various Varieties of Diamonds

Lab-grown vs natural diamonds

What are Lab-grown diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds, also commonly known as engineered diamonds or cultured diamonds, are created in a controlled laboratory environment. Unlike natural diamonds that form over billions of years deep within the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and heat, lab-grown diamonds are produced in a much shorter timeframe using sophisticated growth methods that mimic the natural process.

The creation of lab-grown diamonds typically starts with a tiny diamond "seed" that serves as the foundation for the new gemstone. This seed is then grown using either High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) processes, which replicate the intense conditions found deep within the Earth.

How do lab-grown diamonds compare to natural diamonds?

Physically, optically, and chemically, lab-grown diamonds are virtually identical to their natural counterparts. Even trained experts using sophisticated instruments can have a hard time telling them apart. The only real difference is the way they are formed.

While natural diamonds take billions of years to develop, lab-grown diamonds can be produced in a matter of days. This faster growth process, however, comes at a cost. Lab-grown diamonds are not considered a sustainable or eco-friendly option. The production of these diamonds requires enormous amounts of energy, often from fossil fuels, making it difficult to label them as "green" or "environmentally friendly."

The pros and cons of lab-grown diamonds

The main advantage of lab-grown diamonds is their affordability. Because they can be produced more quickly and efficiently than natural diamonds, lab-grown stones typically cost less. This makes them a more accessible option for those on a budget.

On the other hand, some consumers may be hesitant to purchase lab-grown diamonds, as they are not seen as a truly "natural" product. Additionally, the environmental impact of their production is a concern for those looking to make more sustainable choices. Additionally, a natural diamond retains its value, unlike a lab-grown diamond which loses its value.

Natural fancy colored diamonds vs. treated diamonds

Natural fancy colored diamonds are viewed as more desirable. Fancy colored diamonds are extremely rare in nature. They make up only 0.01% of all diamonds mined in the world. Some colors are more common than others. Hence, some fancy diamond colors are 1 in a million. The rarity of the color translates to the price of the diamond.

Treated diamonds, on the other hand, are chemically treated to enhance their color. Scientists can change a diamond's color by employing one of the three processes: irradiation, HPHT (high pressure, High Temperature) or Coating.

The Pros and Cons of Color Enhancement Methods

Irradiation is a method that exposes the diamond to a large amount of energy to transform the diamond's structure to change or enhance the diamond's color. However, irradiated diamonds can be sensitive to heat and jewelry repairs, recutting, and repolishing can change their colors. HPHT archives the color by applying both high pressure and high temperature to a diamond to either create or enhance its color. Lately, coating is achieved by applying a silica coating to polished colorless diamonds to produce the desired fancy colors. The coating is not permanent; coated diamonds are susceptible to wear and tear. The coated diamond can be damaged by heat and chemicals during jewelry repairs and polishing.

Science behind fancy colored diamonds

Diamonds are the result of crystallized carbon. But, there are other elements that are part of the diamond's natural structure, and these factors influence the color grade of fancy colored diamonds. Diamonds are separated into two main groups; type I group and type II group. About 98% of all natural diamonds are a part of the type I group, characterised by the presence of nitrogen atoms within their structure. While colorless diamonds in this group retain elements of nitrogen, the nitrogen within these diamonds are not "light absorbing." But the nitrogen in fancy colored diamonds does absorb color, and this difference makes them appear orange and yellow. Low wavelength nitrogen absorption causes the diamond to appear yellow, higher nitrogen absorption causes the color to appear orange and brown diamonds are also influenced by nitrogen and other additional absorption-causing defects within the crystal lattice.

The second group of diamonds, the type II group are the rarest diamonds. These diamonds are almost entirely nitrogen free, and make up only 2% of all diamonds. This group is further divided into IIa and IIb diamonds. Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds in nature and are made almost purely out of carbon. These diamonds appear colorless, brown or pink. Type IIb diamonds, which are extremely rare and become natural fancy blue or gray diamonds. These diamonds contain boron atoms in their composition, as a result the boron atom is responsible for the blue color in fancy color blue diamonds.