Prized for their beauty, brilliance, and exceptional durability, diamonds have been one of the most coveted gemstones for most of human history. With evidence suggesting that diamonds have been mined in India for up to 6,000 years, it’s safe to say that wearing diamonds will never go out of style. But with the emergence of lab-grown diamonds entering the jewellery market in the 2000s, the way we think of precious gems has shifted.
Thankfully, the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is simpler than it seems at first look. Backed by decades of experience, Aaron Daniel has the insight to help you choose between natural or lab-grown diamonds when buying custom diamond jewellery in Toronto.
How Are Diamonds Formed?
Understanding how stones are made is the easiest way to understand the physical attributes of natural diamonds. It’s a common misconception that diamonds are made from pressurized coal, but in reality, all naturally-formed diamonds are older than the existence of coal.
With ages ranging between 1–3.5 billion years old, natural diamonds are created deep underground when carbon-carrying liquids undergo immense heat and pressure, dissolving weaker minerals and instead forming diamond. Over the next hundreds of thousands of years, the stones are gradually brought closer to the earth’s surface by volcanic and tectonic activity.
Because of the interactions with other minerals, the extreme conditions they’re formed under, and the hazards of the mining process, natural diamonds often feature small imperfections or discolourations that can impact the value of diamond jewellery. But their rarity, age, and character make them a popular choice.
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?
The most common question people ask when buying diamond jewellery in Toronto is “are lab-grown diamonds fake?” The answer is no. Lab-grown diamonds may be man-made, but they are chemically identical to natural diamonds.
In a process that mirrors the conditions of natural formation, lab-grown diamonds are made in two ways: through High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) methods. These scientific techniques amplify the natural process, turning carbon into diamond in a fraction of the time.
The result is a stone with the same chemical composition as a naturally-formed diamond, with the same hardness, refraction levels, and thermal conductivity. Yet in a lab-controlled setting, these diamonds are free from other minerals that may cause defects, and don’t face damage from mining or geological forces.
How to Tell the Difference Between Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds
The difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is impossible to discern with the naked eye. But jewellers and gemologists have several different ways to identify the origins of a diamond.
Visual Examination
By observing a stone under a microscope, professionals can find blemishes, growth patterns, and contaminants in a natural stone that will not be present in a lab-grown diamond. Conversely, most lab-grown diamonds will have a microscopic inscription of a serial number that will be registered online.
Certifications and Reports
There are many governing bodies that regulate the diamond trade, ensuring genuine, reputable, and ethical diamonds for sale around the world. These organizations, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), document the origins and characteristics of each diamond for transparency and accountability.
Technological Testing
As technology advances, specialized equipment has been developed in order to analyze different properties of a stone. The key techniques include:
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- Spectroscopy
- DiamondView Imaging
- Isotope Analysis
Each of these technological systems helps identify the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds by reading the growth patterns and composition of the gems more clearly.
Choosing the Right Diamond
Now that you understand the basic differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds, how do you choose which one is right for you? While both are just as brilliant, there are key benefits to each kind.
What are the Benefits of Buying Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are often considered more prestigious, due to their incredible age and organic formation. With some small imperfections, these stones have more character than their lab-grown counterparts.
What are the Benefits of Buying Lab-Grown Diamonds?
By skipping the invasive mining process, lab-grown diamonds are considered a more environmentally friendly option in comparison. Lab-grown diamonds are also free of physical flaws, all at a lower cost.
Buy Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds in Toronto
As industry professionals, the craftsmen at Aaron Daniel are well-versed on the dynamic world of diamonds. We aim to help you choose whether to buy a natural or lab-grown diamond with confidence, and transform it into one-of-a-kind custom jewellery. Book a private consultation today.
Are lab-grown diamonds considered real diamonds?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are considered real diamonds. Chemically, physically, and optically, they’re identical to real ones. Not only do lab-grown diamonds boast the same sparkle and structure, but also a MOHS hardness of 10. This means they’re just as durable as natural diamonds, but less expensive.
How do you make lab-grown diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are made using two distinct methods. The first is called the high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) method. The HPHT process is designed to mimic the environment in which natural diamonds are grown by subjecting carbon to extremely high temperatures and pressing it together. The other method is chemical vapour distribution (CVD). It’s when a gaseous mixture of methane and hydrogen is combined in a chamber with a seed crystal. Then, microwave power is used to superheat the chamber and excite the gas, causing the diamond to begin growing on the seed crystal.
How can I be assured of the quality of my lab-grown diamond?
With lab-grown diamonds, quality is ensured by a close and keen inspection to ensure they’re of the utmost quality. Lab-grown diamonds also have certificates and detailed reports as those made by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in gemology and jewellery, and the leading organization in the world for certifying the quality of lab-grown diamonds.