Knowledge

Diamond Education

Everything you need to know before buying a lab grown diamond.

Origin

How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Made

Lab grown diamonds are created using two methods that replicate the conditions under which diamonds form naturally — extreme heat and pressure applied to pure carbon.

HPHT

High Pressure, High Temperature

A diamond seed is placed in pure carbon and subjected to ~1,500°C and 1.5 million PSI — mimicking the earth's mantle. Carbon atoms crystallize around the seed, growing a diamond over days to weeks.

CVD

Chemical Vapor Deposition

A diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gas (usually methane). Microwave energy breaks apart the gas molecules, and carbon atoms rain down onto the seed, building the diamond layer by layer.

Grading

The 4Cs

Cut

How well a diamond's facets interact with light. Cut grade is the single most important factor in a diamond's beauty. A well-cut diamond will exhibit superior brilliance, fire, and scintillation — even if other factors are lower.

Color

The absence of color, graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow/brown). Most lab grown diamonds achieve D-F color (colorless) naturally. To the naked eye, differences between D-G are virtually imperceptible once mounted.

Clarity

The absence of internal inclusions and external blemishes, from FL (Flawless) to I3. Lab grown diamonds often achieve higher clarity grades than mined. VS2 and above are "eye-clean" — no visible inclusions without magnification.

Carat

A measure of weight, not size. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Two diamonds of the same carat weight can appear different sizes depending on cut and shape. Lab grown allows you to achieve larger carat weights at the same budget.

Comparison

Lab Grown vs. Earth-Mined

Chemical Composition Pure carbon (C) Pure carbon (C)
Crystal Structure Cubic crystal system Cubic crystal system
Hardness 10 (Mohs scale) 10 (Mohs scale)
Refractive Index 2.417–2.419 2.417–2.419
Thermal Conductivity ~2200 W/(m·K) ~2200 W/(m·K)
Diamond Tester Passes ✓ Passes ✓
Price 40–60% less Full retail
Environmental Impact Minimal Significant
Origin Traceability Fully traceable Often uncertain
Lab Grown Earth-Mined

Certification

Grading & Reports

Lab grown diamonds are graded by the same laboratories using the same standards as earth-mined diamonds. Every stone we sell comes with an independent grading report.

IGI

Certified Grading

GIA

Certified Grading

GCAL

Certified Grading

Ready?

See the Difference (There Isn't One)

Come hold a lab grown diamond next to an earth-mined one. We'll let you decide which is which.

Schedule a Viewing