Laboratory-grown diamonds
LET'S LEARN ABOUT
Laboratory-grown diamonds are artificially produced diamonds.
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Named 'synthetic diamonds', 'laboratory-grown diamonds' or 'laboratory-created diamonds', these stones share the same essential chemical composition and crystal structure as diamond.
The key difference is that they were grown by people as opposed to forming naturally - affecting availability and price.
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Here at The Gem Academy, we explore the story surrounding laboratory-grown diamonds from their growth to identification. Explore this page to gain a refreshing insight into this fascinating topic.
Laboratory-grown diamonds are just as hard as diamond.
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Just as sparkly.
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They are the same material.
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However, they possess a few key differences that allow us to separate them from natural diamond.
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Laboratory-grown diamonds are made in factories.
There are two main processes:
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HPHT and CVD
These processes are completely different to one another. The results stones have different identification features.​
up to 85% cheaper
Diamond and laboratory-grown diamonds are the same material. However, due to different origins - diamond and laboratory-grown diamonds are different products that have different values.
The replicable nature of laboratory-grown diamonds results in lower prices. They currently trade at an average of 15-25% of the price of a comparable natural diamond. Although some of the smaller sizes are showing price stability, the retail prices of larger stones continues to be unstable.
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Nothing lasts forever
This latest documentary discusses the conflict in our industry between diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds.
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Review coming soon
Identification
Most diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds have laser inscriptions and possibly an accompanying report.
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There are many stones out there that don't.
Even more troubling, there are counterfeit laser inscriptions on some laboratory-grown diamonds that link to natural diamond reports.
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It is of upmost importance that we are able to separate diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds.
Disclosure
The identification and disclosure of laboratory-grown diamonds is an absolute priority. Accidentally purchasing or mis-selling an undisclosed laboratory-grown diamond can cost us our reputation as well as cause financial damage.
Fraud is unacceptable but, sadly, occurs. Increasingly, undisclosed laboratory-grown diamonds are being sold back into the jewellery industry via second-hand jewellery.
Natural versus laboratory-grown diamonds
Not always possible but a darn good skill to have. All you need is magnification! And knowledge and experience... Gotta start somewhere! Let's start here...
Coming soon...
Top 5
Misconceptions
From how they are grown to the mining that is involved - find out the biggest misconceptions about laboratory-grown diamonds.
Coming soon...
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