For many consumers, the first word that comes to mind when they hear the terms "lab-grown diamond" or "manufactured diamond" is "fake" but, unlike cubic zirconia (CZ) which is chemically different (zirconium dioxide), lab-grown diamonds (LGD) are real diamonds, with the same composition (carbon) and crystalline structure as mined diamonds.
Driven by concerns about the sustainability and price point of natural diamonds and aided by technological advancements in the manufacturing processes of lab-grown diamonds, the demand for manufactured diamonds has dramatically increased in recent years.
Of course, the difference in the origin of lab-grown diamonds influences their cost, perceived value, and some other key characteristics.
Let's explore some of the differences and similarities:
- Formation
- Natural diamonds are formed far beneath the Earth's surface, under extreme heat and pressure, and over billions of years, then volcanic eruptions bring them closer to the surface, where they can be mined.
- Manufactured diamonds are created in a laboratory using advanced technologies like High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). These methods can speed up the natural diamond-forming process to just weeks or months.
- Rarity and value
- Natural diamonds are considered rare and finite, resulting in a higher market value and a tendency to retain or increase in value over time.
- Manufactured diamonds can be produced in virtually unlimited quantities, making them less rare and, therefore, more affordable (typically 20-40% less than comparable mined diamonds), but their resale value tends to be lower and more subject to fluctuations in price.
- Similarities and differences
- Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They display the same brilliance, fire, and sparkle once they have been cut and polished. They are also equally hard, both rating a 10 on the Mohs scale.
- Gemologists can identify subtle differences using specialized equipment, such as internal