Since time immemorial, diamonds have topped the list of the most coveted items by monarchs, queens, and mythical Gods. Roman naturalist Pliny, in the First Century A.D, said, “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones but of all things in this world.”
This paradigm of the alluring gemstone lets it stand out for its breathtaking beauty and symbolism. Perhaps the earliest association of romance with diamonds began with the belief that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. The ancient Romans and Greeks also believed that diamonds were tears cried by the gods or splinters from falling stars.
No matter how loved these jewels are, the negative environmental impact of their mining cannot be overlooked. One might get quite skeptical when it comes to buying a diamond. Should it be a naturally mined one or a lab-grown diamond? How long does it take to grow a lab diamond? In this blog, we will help you understand synthetically grown diamonds and bust some serious myths.
We’ll Talk About the following:
- Lab grown diamonds are as naturally mined ones.
- Characteristics of lab-created diamonds.
- Various methods of creating diamonds in a lab.
- How long it takes to grow a man-made diamond?
Can you Create Diamonds in a Lab?
Lab-grown or synthetic diamonds are real as diamonds mined from the earth. Both the earth-mined and Lab-created diamonds have striking similarities. They display the same fire, specular reflection, sparkle, and chemical, physical, and visual characteristics. Lab-grown diamonds offer a fantastic value when compared with their compatible naturally occurring diamonds.
How Long Does It Take To Create A Lab Diamond? CVD and HPHT are the two methods used to create diamonds in an artificial environment. Both methods are implied to create superior quality diamonds that look the same and give the same stimulation as the naturally mined gem versions.
How to Make a Lab Created Diamond?
It begins with a diamond seed in Chemical Vapor Deposition, commonly known as the CVD method. The seed is placed in a sealed chamber, generally heated to around 800 degrees. Gas is then added into the chamber, where the carbon atoms are broken down. Lab-grown gems are more sustainable than mined diamonds. Diamonds created in an exceedingly researched laboratory take less house to supply than naturally mined gemstones setting that require substantial quality of land for mining.
Using the CVD method, it usually takes a month or so to create a 1-carat diamond. Thus, the diamond produced is a high-quality one almost identical to the one mined naturally.
Lab created diamond process for HPTP is slightly different. HPHT, or High-Pressure High Temperature, is the pioneer method of creating lab-grown diamonds. This method was developed in early 1950. Scientists use HPTP by simulating the method of natural diamond development in a lab. The process starts with placing a carbon material with a metal enzyme like iron, nickel, or cobalt. It is then subjected to excruciating high pressure and temperature that results in the production of diamond crystals.
How Long does it take to make a Lab-grown Diamond?
There is no restricted time taken that can be said to produce diamond crystals using this method. It can vary from a few days to a few weeks. However, we can generalize the time frame by stating that it takes almost a fortnight to grow a 1-carat diamond using the HPTP method.
Lab-grown diamonds last a lifetime! They are sturdier and harder than naturally occurring ones. Its rarity is the only upper hand a naturally mined diamond has over a lab-created diamond. Since lab-grown diamonds are created in bulk, they lose that precious allure. Besides that, it is equally competitive with a little edge over the naturally occurring diamond regarding pricing and other significant factors.
Fun Facts about Diamonds:
- Have you ever wondered how a diamond engagement ring became a thing? The first known use of a diamond engagement ring was reportedly in 1477. Archduke Maximillian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a gold rind with an M engraved in it spelled out in diamonds.
- The Duchess of Sussex, Bindi Irwin, and Emma Watson are among the celebrities who have flaunted lab-grown diamond rings on different occasions.
- Diamonds are found in every color of the rainbow!
