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Discover Lab Grown Diamonds: What they are, how they're made, and why the efficiency of their production makes them more cost affective to their natural counterpart. 


Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real?

A question that we are often asked, the answer is yes! Lab Grown Diamonds are as real as Natural Diamonds. The only difference between Lab Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds is their origin. A Lab Grown Diamond is created inside a laboratory using cutting edge technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process. Lab Grown Diamonds are just as hard and respond to light in the same way as Natural Diamonds. 

When grading Lab Grown Diamonds, gemologists use the same grading standards as natural diamonds. This includes the 4C's. Lab grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds and both come with certifications.

Can You Spot The Difference?

Lab grown diamond & natural diamond side by side

Not even a trained Gemologist can. Specialist equipment is used to tell the difference.

The Lab Grown Diamond (Left) and Natural Diamond (Right) can not be told apart to the eye.

Image Source - GIA

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

In order to understand how Lab Grown Diamonds are created, it is important to first, understand how natural diamonds are formed. 

Around 100 miles or more beneath the Earths surface, deep in the mantle, carbon atoms are exposed to extremely high temperatures and high pressures. This causes the carbon atoms to crystallise over millions of years. The diamond crystals are then transported to the Earths surface through volcanic explosions.

When creating Lab Grown Diamonds, there are two popular methods: 

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT Method)
  • A small diamond seed is placed in a press and subjected to extremely high pressure (870000 pounds per square inch) and high temperature (around 1300-1600 degrees centigrade).

  • A high carbon material, such as graphite, is added into a molten metal liquid (often containing Iron, Nickel and Cobalt).
  • As the carbon material moves towards the Diamond Seed, it starts to crystallise and forms the rough diamonds.

Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD Method)
  • This method uses a heated mixture of gases, typically hydrogen and methane, in a vacuum chamber.
  • This is made possible by the addition of microwaves which turns the gases into a plasma by heating them to around 900-1200 degrees centigrade.
  • As the plasma is heated, carbon is released and settles onto the diamond seed. This process is repeated until a large enough rough diamond crystal has formed.

Both growing methods replicate what naturally happens in the Earth over millions of years. It typically takes around 3-4 weeks to grow a rough diamond crystal that weighs 6.00cts - this would be enough to produce a cut and polished 1.00ct round brilliant cut, Lab Grown Diamond.

How Much Do Lab Grown Diamonds Cost?

Lab Grown Diamonds are an exceptionally, affordable alternative to Natural Diamonds.

This is due to Lab Grown Diamonds being a non-exhaustive, renewable product that can be created in as little as three weeks.

Lab Grown Diamonds are priced according to: Rarity, Efficiency of Production & Demand. 

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified & Graded?

The diamonds are sent to specialist laboratories for grading and are graded using The 4C's (Colour, Clarity, Cut & Carat). 

The diamond grading process is exactly the same for Lab Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds. Each diamond is graded independently by several gemologists at the specialist lab. The individual grades are then analysed to determine the final grading. 

Here at Kayes we use IGI certified Lab Grown Diamonds.


Are Lab Grown Diamonds Environmentally Friendly?

Once the rough Lab Grown Diamonds have been produced, they then go through the exact same process of cutting and polishing as Natural Diamonds do. Other than not being mined out of the ground, every other process that is done to Natural Diamonds & Lab Grown Diamonds is exactly the same, including the cutting & polishing techniques.

Although Lab Grown Diamonds are not mined, we must be mindful of the the factories that need to be built, the chemicals and metals used in production and their movements around the globe. 

What Are the Benefits Of Lab Grown Diamonds?

  • Lab Grown Diamonds are real diamonds. They are chemically and physically identical to Natural Diamonds.
  • Carat for carat, Lab Grown Diamonds are less expensive than Natural Diamonds.
  • A Lab Grown Diamond will have the exact same lasting lustre, sparkle and hardness as a Natural Diamond.


How Do I Tell The Difference Between Lab Grown Diamonds & Natural Diamonds At Kayes?

Each piece of Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery will be clearly displayed as such, so you can choose with confidence. 

Excluding the tennis bracelets, each piece of jewellery from the Deva Collection will be accompanied by an IGI certificate. 

Each piece of Lab Grown Diamond jewellery will be presented in the Deva Collection luxury boxes, which differs from our Natural Diamond boxes. 

The Deva Collection

Trusted since 1948, our focus has always been beautiful jewellery, excellent design and exceptional quality. This collection is no exception. Each piece has been created and crafted by the best of British Craftsmanship, right here within the UK, with the same exceptional standards in design and quality that we are known for. Our Deva Collection, featuring engagement rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets is about providing our clients with an exceptionally affordable, alternative to Natural Diamonds. 

Shop The Deva Collection

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