I think we can all agree that laboratory grown diamonds have exploded in the jewellery industry in the last few years. They have been around since the 1950’s and were used in industry as they weren’t gem quality. From the early 2000’s laboratory grown diamonds became gem quality and started to be used in the jewellery industry but the stones were very small sizes. From 2015 larger sizes of gem quality laboratory grown diamonds became available.
What is a laboratory grown diamond?
A laboratory grown diamond is a diamond that is grown in a laboratory using processes and materials that mimic the natural process of diamonds forming in the earth. They have the same chemical structure, properties and appearance as natural diamonds.
How are they made?
There are two processes in which laboratory diamonds are created, HPTP (high pressure high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapour deposition).
HPHT diamonds
The HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) process mimics the natural growth of diamonds the most. A natural diamond seed is placed into a chamber where high pressure and high temperature are applied creating a diamond. It takes around 1 month to grow a 1ct crystal. The HPHT process creates a crystal that is most similar to a natural diamond crystal.
CVD diamonds
CVD (chemical vapour deposition) diamonds are formed slightly differently. The temperate and pressure is less and a mixture of gasses is introduced to create the diamonds on a natural diamond sliver at the bottom of the capsule. The crystals formed are very different as they are a cubic shape.
Laboratory grown diamond prices are considerably less than natural diamonds making them popular with customers wanting high quality jewellery at a more affordable price. The difference between a natural diamond engagement ring and a laboratory grown ground diamond engagement ring, of the same quality, is thousands of pounds making them especially appealing to younger couples looking to get engaged.
We have a wide selection of laboratory grown diamond jewellery in store and online and can only see our selection growing in the future.
Our laboratory grown collection is still expanding to include modern engagement rings, bespoke designs and some exciting pieces coming later this year…Watch this space.