Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-created diamonds are real diamonds with identical chemical structure, hardness, and sparkle to natural diamonds.

pictured: two lab-grown diamonds (left and middle) and a natural rough diamond on the right

• Laboratory diamonds are "grown" by placing a small slice of a diamond, known as a seed diamond, in controlled high-pressure environments that spark the growth of a new diamond crystal from the seed.  

  
  

• General Electric created the first proven lab diamonds in the 1950s. These diamonds were grown with industrial applications in mind and later used to make tools for cutting and polishing metals, glass, and even teeth.
  

  photo credit: ge.com

• GE developed the process known as HPHT (high pressure/high temperature), which is still used today. This involves mimicking the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the earth.

• Over time, the process was refined to create diamonds of enough quality to be cut and polished for jewelry. Today most labs use a technique called CVT (chemical vapor deposition), where the diamond "seed" is immersed in a cloud of carbon gas, causing the crystal to grow.

• Growing lab diamonds for jewelry applications was not economically viable or accessible until the 1990s. They stayed relatively under the radar; however, in the last ten years, they have gained popularity as younger generations take an interest in more economical and ethical alternatives to the traditional diamond market. 

• Lab-created diamonds are a great option for those who want the durability and strength of a diamond ring without the cost of a traditional natural diamond. Talk with our expert sales team to learn more about the pros and cons of buying lab-grown.

The largest diamond in this design is a lab, while the rest are natural.

Once cut, lab and natural diamonds are indistinguishable.