Skip to main content
← Back to L Definitions

Laboratory grown diamonds

What Is Laboratory Grown Diamonds?

Laboratory grown diamonds are diamonds that are cultivated in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technological processes that replicate the natural conditions under which diamonds form. These diamonds possess the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as their mined counterparts, making them identical to natural diamonds at an atomic level. As a product within the broader consumer goods market, laboratory grown diamonds represent a significant development, offering an alternative in the jewelry and industrial sectors. The creation of laboratory grown diamonds involves precise control over factors such as temperature, pressure, and the availability of carbon atoms.

History and Origin

The scientific understanding that diamonds are composed of pure carbon emerged in the late 18th century, sparking efforts to synthesize them. Early attempts in the 19th century by scientists like James Ballantyne Hannay and Ferdinand Frederic Henri Moissan involved subjecting carbon to intense heat and pressure, but lacked reproducible results. The breakthrough for creating proven synthetic diamonds occurred in December 1954, when scientists at General Electric (GE) in their Schenectady, New York laboratories, successfully produced the first non-natural diamonds as part of "Project Superpressure."16,15 This pioneering work laid the foundation for the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method, which mimics the immense heat and pressure found deep within the Earth's crust. While these initial laboratory grown diamonds were primarily suitable for industrial applications due to their small size and imperfections, GE later achieved gem-quality crystals in 1971.14,13 Concurrently, the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method was also being developed, evolving into a commercially practical process by the 1980s.12,11

Key Takeaways

  • Laboratory grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.
  • They are created through advanced technological processes, primarily High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recognizes laboratory grown diamonds as real diamonds, requiring clear disclosure of their man-made origin.
  • The market share for laboratory grown diamonds has been steadily increasing, offering consumers a more accessible price point compared to natural diamonds.
  • Their production generally involves a lower carbon footprint and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional diamond mining.

Interpreting Laboratory Grown Diamonds

Understanding laboratory grown diamonds involves recognizing that their essential characteristics are indistinguishable from natural diamonds without specialized equipment. The key differentiator lies in their origin: one is formed geologically, and the other is cultivated in a lab. For consumers, this translates into assessing attributes like carat weight, cut, color, and clarity—often referred to as the "4 Cs"—in the same way they would for a natural diamond. The existence of laboratory grown diamonds significantly influences consumer behavior within the jewelry market, providing more options and impacting pricing strategy across the industry. The increasing acceptance and availability of laboratory grown diamonds have led to a re-evaluation of factors like rarity and intrinsic value.

Hypothetical Example

Consider an individual, Sarah, looking to purchase an engagement ring. She is presented with two diamonds of similar visual quality, both weighing 1.5 carats, with identical color and clarity grades.

  • Diamond A: A mined diamond with a market value reflecting its natural origin and the associated costs of extraction and distribution.
  • Diamond B: A laboratory grown diamond, which is physically and chemically identical to Diamond A. Due to the controlled production environment and absence of extensive mining operations, its retail price is significantly lower than Diamond A, despite sharing the same gemological properties.

Sarah, interested in maximizing the size and quality of the stone within her budget, chooses Diamond B. This scenario highlights how laboratory grown diamonds provide an accessible alternative, allowing consumers to acquire the desired aesthetic and scientific properties of a diamond without the premium associated with natural geological formation.

Practical Applications

Laboratory grown diamonds are increasingly prevalent in various sectors beyond jewelry. Their identical properties to natural diamonds make them highly valuable for diverse applications. In industrial contexts, these diamonds are prized for their exceptional hardness and thermal conductivity. They are used in cutting, grinding, and drilling tools, contributing to the efficiency of manufacturing processes across industries. Industrial applications also include use in electronics for heat dissipation, in medical instruments, and in advanced optics. The growth in the laboratory grown diamond market is significant, with reports indicating it has grown rapidly and is projected to continue expanding. According to Morgan Stanley, laboratory grown diamonds accounted for an estimated 14.3% of the total diamond supply in a recent year, a share expected to rise to over 21% in the near future. Thi10s expansion is driven by factors such as technological advancements, increasing consumer acceptance, and the demand for more sustainable alternatives. The diamond certification market, which plays a crucial role in verifying the quality and origin of these gems, is also projected to see substantial growth, driven in part by increased certifications for laboratory grown diamonds.

##9 Limitations and Criticisms

Despite their growing popularity and technological advancements, laboratory grown diamonds face certain limitations and criticisms. A primary point of contention revolves around their long-term market value and the perception of their value retention over time compared to natural diamonds. As a manufactured good, the supply and demand dynamics differ significantly from finite natural resources. Critics argue that as production methods become more efficient and scalable, the price of laboratory grown diamonds may continue to decrease, potentially impacting their perceived investment potential.

An8other area of discussion involves the environmental claims often associated with laboratory grown diamonds. While many producers emphasize a reduced carbon footprint and less water usage compared to traditional mining, the energy consumption for growing diamonds can still be substantial. Some studies suggest that if the manufacturing process relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation, the environmental benefits might be less pronounced than often marketed. Fur7thermore, there is ongoing scrutiny regarding the clarity and consistency of labeling in the market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued guidance emphasizing that companies must clearly and conspicuously disclose that laboratory grown diamonds are man-made, using terms like "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created," or "[manufacturer name]-created" immediately preceding the word "diamond" to avoid misleading consumers., Ad6h5erence to these guidelines is crucial for maintaining consumer trust and ensuring market transparency.

Laboratory Grown Diamonds vs. Mined Diamonds

The fundamental difference between laboratory grown diamonds and mined diamonds lies in their origin. Mined diamonds are formed naturally over billions of years deep within the Earth's mantle and brought to the surface through volcanic activity. Their formation is a geological process, making them a finite raw materials resource.

Laboratory grown diamonds, conversely, are products of human ingenuity and technology. They are created in a controlled lab environment using processes like HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). Despite their different origins, both types of diamonds share identical chemical composition (pure carbon) and exhibit the same crystal structure, optical properties, and physical characteristics. This means that a laboratory grown diamond will sparkle, test, and wear exactly like a mined diamond.

The confusion often arises because, visually and gemologically, they are indistinguishable without specialized equipment. The distinctions primarily impact their supply and demand dynamics, pricing, and considerations related to their environmental and ethical sourcing. While mined diamonds have historically been seen as a store of wealth due to their natural rarity, laboratory grown diamonds offer a more accessible and often more ethical investing choice for many consumers.

FAQs

Are laboratory grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes, laboratory grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure, just like natural diamonds, and exhibit the same chemical, physical, and optical properties. The only difference is their origin; one is formed geologically, and the other is created in a controlled laboratory setting.

How are laboratory grown diamonds made?

The two primary methods for creating laboratory grown diamonds are High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). HPHT mimics natural diamond formation by subjecting carbon to intense heat and pressure. CVD involves growing diamonds from a carbon-rich gas mixture in a vacuum chamber. Both processes start with a small diamond seed crystal.

What is the environmental impact of laboratory grown diamonds compared to mined diamonds?

Laboratory grown diamonds generally have a smaller environmental impact than mined diamonds. They require less land and water, and produce significantly less waste., Wh4i3le their production still consumes energy, many manufacturers are moving towards using renewable energy sources to further reduce their carbon footprint.

Do laboratory grown diamonds hold their value?

The long-term value retention of laboratory grown diamonds is a subject of ongoing discussion. As a manufactured product, their pricing strategy is influenced by production costs and efficiency, which tend to decrease over time with technological advancements. Unlike natural diamonds, which are finite, the supply of laboratory grown diamonds can be expanded. This distinction affects their potential as an investment portfolio component.

Are laboratory grown diamonds regulated?

Yes, in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides guidelines for the jewelry industry, including specific rules for the disclosure and marketing of laboratory grown diamonds. These guidelines require clear and conspicuous labeling to ensure consumers understand the origin of the diamond.,[^12^](https://finegrowndiamonds.com/blog/who-regulates-the-lab-grown-diamond-industry)