Is Lab Grown Diamond as Strong as Real Diamonds?
Is Lab-Grown Diamond as Strong as Real Diamonds?
What are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, but because they’re created in a lab and not mined out of an underground deposit, some people prefer to call them lab-created or lab-grown. But there are a lot of misconceptions about them, too. ILabgrown diamonds have been around for decades now. The first ones were created in 1954 by General Electric and over 50% of today’s production comes from GE’s facility in Schenectady, New York. They use high heat (1,370 degrees Celsius) and pressure (20 tons per square inch) to create their gems – which is why many gemologists believe that their quality can be comparable to mined stones with similar clarity grades.
Lab-grown diamonds are more affordable than real diamonds, and they’re popular with millennials who want to buy their significant other an engagement ring without spending thousands of dollars on the real thing. Are lab-grown diamonds as strong as real diamonds? The answer isn’t straightforward, but it’s worth considering before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on something that could be much less valuable in the long run. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of lab-grown diamonds so you can decide if they’re right for you and your partner.
Lab-Grown vs. Real
To start, it’s important to understand that lab-grown diamonds are not a synthetic form of the diamond; they are real, natural diamonds created in a lab. They were formed billions of years ago deep within our planet. Since then, they have been worn down over time to reach their current size and shape—and are now ready for your jewelry box! Just like real diamonds, lab-grown ones are nearly flawless and incredibly strong; you can bounce them on concrete and they won’t break! However, experts say there is one difference between these two precious gems: Lab-grown diamonds shine more brightly because impurities have been removed from them during their production process.
Where Does Lab Grown Diamond Get Its Beauty From?
To understandToown diamonds are so beautiful, you first have to know where they get their beauty from. Lab-grown diamonds get their sparkle and shine from a gem called moissanite that is valued for its hardness and durability. The diamond alternative is made of one of four natural elements: silicon, aluminum, iron, or titanium and is created in a very similar process to how real diamonds are made—but instead of being in volcanoes for eons upon eons, it’s created in labs with high levels of heat and pressure. (If you’re curious about natural diamonds, check out What is a Diamond?) In other words, lab-grown diamonds are not only cheaper than real ones—they can be just as beautiful.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural
Lab-grown diamonds are made by placing a small amount of diamond seed material into a high-pressure, high-temperature chamber. Natural diamonds form over millions of years under extremely high pressure and temperature conditions in what is known as the upper mantle. While lab-grown diamonds are structurally identical to natural diamonds, there are some notable differences: Lab-grown may exhibit a slightly yellowish or brownish tint when compared to colorless stones from nature. On an atomic level, there is only one difference between lab-grown and natural stones: Lab-grown gems have pure carbon atoms arranged in a slightly different way than those found in their naturally occurring counterparts.
Knowing How to Spot a Lab-Grown Diamond
It’s a bit easier to spot a diamond that was grown in a lab because many jewelers won’t tell you it is. They want to sell you on what they know to be more expensive and rare, so lab-grown diamonds are frequently sold alongside real diamonds in stores. If you aren’t sure how it was made, there are ways to figure it out. First of all, ask your jeweler about its origins; if he or she won’t tell you, then don’t buy it from them. Next, look for flaws and make sure there is no silkiness when you run your finger over it—these are common traits of lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Are They As Strong As Real Diamonds?
The short answer is: no.
The long answer is, yes and no. If we’re talking about laboratory-grown diamonds that have been grown like traditional natural diamonds – i.e., created in a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) system – then it would be safe to say that they are probably not as strong or durable.
However, if we’re talking about lab diamonds produced via Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or advanced HPHT systems where trace elements are introduced into a growth chamber at controlled times and concentrations, then lab-grown diamonds can be just as durable as natural ones. Both types of processes create synthetic gems with exact carbon compositions. Choose CVD Diamond Manufacturer.
