Carbon Lab Diamonds

Lab diamonds have quickly become a rising trend among younger diamond-buyers thanks to their price, transparency and environmental benefits. They’re also a more sustainable alternative to mined diamonds, which can leave behind harmful emissions during mining and transport.

They can be made using two different methods: HPHT and CVD. Both of these require large machines that replicate the natural environment in which diamonds are formed deep within the Earth.

How They’re Made

Carbon lab diamonds are grown in laboratories around the world, using a process that is environmentally-friendly and often much cheaper than mined diamonds. It is possible to produce a diamond in days or weeks, which makes them a cost-effective alternative to diamonds mined from the Earth.

They are made from the same crystalline carbon as naturally occurring diamonds. They are optically, chemically and physically identical, however because of the difference in formation (diamonds are created underground, while diamonds in labs are shaped by a process), they may vary in color or clarity, depending on the treatment.

There are two main processes used to create lab diamonds: the first, a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method developed by GE in 1954, and the second, chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Both methods begin with a small diamond seed that is placed inside a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases, such as methane or hydrogen.

The gasses are then ionized into plasma with lasers or microwaves, breaking down the molecular bond and allowing pure carbon to attach to the seed. The atoms then diffuse into the colder surface of the seed, where they grow into diamond.

This method is usually the most economical for producing larger diamonds and is also known as the high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) process. The technology is costly to replicate, and requires a lot of equipment, but it does allow for the creation of gem-quality diamonds.

To do this, a lab diamond company needs to have a dedicated team of scientists and engineers. They also need a way to control the temperature and pressure of the carbon-rich gases.

The labs that manufacture these stones use an industrial press called a belt press or cubic press to apply pressure to the carbon-rich gases. This press can be scaled to suit the size of the diamond and is more efficient than other types of presses.

After the gases are ionized, the gasses are mixed with metal catalysts, such as iron or nickel. This mixture causes the graphite within the seed crystal to dissolve.

Once the crystallized carbon has formed, it is placed into a cool chamber to cool off. This allows the diamond to harden. A diamond is then faceted into its final form, ready to be set into jewelry.

The Process

Lab grown diamonds can be made from two different methods, High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Neither method starts with the same “diamond seed” as mined diamonds, but they both follow a process that exposes carbon to a perfect storm of gases, pressure, and high temperature.

For HPHT, scientists place a tiny diamond crystal called a “seed” in pure graphite carbon and subject it to temperatures of about 1,500 degrees Celsius and pressures of up to 1.5 million pounds per square inch. Once the seeds have been exposed to these extreme conditions, they begin to grow into diamonds layer by layer.

CVD works similarly to the HPHT process, except it uses a different set of chemicals and a much lower temperature. This method is less expensive than HPHT, but it takes longer to create a single diamond crystal.

The first synthetic diamonds were created in the 1950s under a project codenamed “Project Superpressure.” This process was developed by American physical chemist Howard Tracy Hall at General Electric Research Laboratory. He and his team were looking to make a diamond for industrial applications that would reduce the need for diamond miners, but it took years before they got a successful result.

GE’s lab developed a belt press that pushed small seed crystals to the high temperatures and pressure needed for diamond growth, which led to the creation of the first synthetic diamonds. The resulting lab-grown diamonds were a step forward for science and technology.

However, the process still required a lot of guesswork and experimentation. The correct material for the chamber, catalyst, and pressure/temperature was all still a mystery.

Scientists learned that a mixture of metals, which they called a flux, could lower the temperature and pressure needed for diamond growth. The carbon starting material, graphite, dissolved in the flux and then migrated toward the cooler diamond seed.

This process is the most common way to create lab-grown diamonds. It’s also the most environmentally-friendly. Unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds don’t require mining and won’t cause community displacement or environmental damage. They also provide safe working environments and good pay for their workers.

Sustainability

Carbon lab diamonds are one of the brightest sustainability trends in jewelry. These lab-created diamonds are created using 100% renewable energy, which lowers their carbon footprint and environmental impact compared to mined diamonds.

Unlike the diamond mining industry, lab-grown diamonds are more transparent and predictable when it comes to their environmental impacts. They can also be more affordable for both manufacturers and buyers, making them an appealing option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint or simply avoid purchasing a mined diamond.

According to Azra Mehdi, a jeweler and sustainability advocate who spoke with Brides, sustainable diamonds can be a great way to avoid harmful mining practices that cause environmental damage. However, she cautions that there are still a lot of unethical practices in the world of diamond mining.

For instance, artisanal and small-scale miners in developing countries are often exploited and underpaid due to the lack of transparency and traceability. This means that it’s important to shop with a retailer that is committed to fair trade.

The cost of producing a natural diamond is astronomical, with hundreds of hectares of land disturbed for each carat of mined diamonds, as well as excessive carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. Additionally, water is used for mining activities and air pollution is a common issue.

With so many societal issues impacting the world today, it’s time for diamond mining to change. Fortunately, some of the big players in the industry, including LVMH, Oscar Massin, and Brilliant Earth, are now sourcing SCS-007 certified sustainability rated lab-grown diamonds that meet strict sustainability standards.

Another major pro of sustainability-rated diamonds is that they are more durable than mined diamonds. The heat and pressure used to create them in the lab mimics the natural environment and causes them to be ten times harder than mined diamonds.

A thriving, sustainable market of carbon lab diamonds is a great way to help combat the global climate crisis and reduce the amount of fossil fuels we consume. While we need more data to see if the transition to lab-grown diamonds can be completely environmentally friendly, this is a good start.

Value

The value of a diamond can vary depending on its size, clarity and color. You can find diamonds in every price range, from tiny lab-created ones to the large-carat diamonds you’ll see on a lot of engagement rings. However, the most valuable diamonds are still those mined in the earth’s crust and retrieved by diamond miners.

These natural diamonds are formed in the upper mantle of the earth, under extreme pressure and high temperatures, resulting in their crystallization. Because they take millions of years to form, they are rare and highly sought after.

Despite their rarity and high cost, the diamonds mined from deep within the earth are also incredibly durable. The Mohs hardness scale rates diamonds at 10 and they won’t scratch or chip as easily as other gemstones, unless hit directly.

Although diamonds are naturally found, they are also often created by humans, with the goal of speeding up their production and making them more accessible to the public. Scientists have figured out how to grow synthetic diamonds, essentially copying the process that nature uses to create diamonds.

There are two main ways to produce lab-created diamonds: the HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) method and the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. Both methods start with a small ‘diamond seed’, which is then placed in a chamber and exposed to a mixture of carbon-rich gas heated to a high temperature.

In the HPHT method, the diamond seed is fused to a piece of carbon and exposed to the same high pressures and temperatures that are needed to produce natural mined diamonds. These conditions cause the carbon to bond together atom by atom until it is a polished diamond that can be used in jewelry.

As a result, the diamonds created using these processes are typically much larger than those made from natural mined diamonds. They can be even more expensive, though, due to the specialized technology involved in their production.

As technology advances, lab-created diamonds are increasingly being viewed as a great way to create an environmentally friendly and affordable jewelry option. Aside from their sustainable origins and affordability, these gemstones are also backed by research that shows they have a far smaller carbon footprint than mined diamonds. This fact is proving to be a major selling point for many couples who are concerned about the environment.

Carbon Lab Diamonds