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Which diamond type is best for you? You're presumably debating between traditionally mined diamonds and lab diamonds are becoming increasingly popular. We want you to make the best selection possible based on the facts, so we'll go through some of the current similarities and differences between the two.
A frequently asked issue is whether mined and lab diamonds look the same. Yes, the answer is YES. If you had both types of diamonds in front of you, you wouldn't be able to discern the difference with your naked sight.
Under severe pressure, each is made entirely of the element carbon. Color can range from colorless to varied hues of yellow in both mined and lab diamonds. They might range from a few inclusions (flaws) to many inclusions (flaws) within the stone. They have identical shapes and are arranged in identical surroundings. So lab grown diamonds are now officially recognized as genuine diamonds.
What is the difference between mined diamonds and lab diamonds?
Mined Diamonds
These stones form over billions of years deep beneath the earth's surface under severe pressure and temperature. Due to their location deep below the earth's crust, mined diamonds necessitate the effort of huge mining operations. The bulk of the operations provides safe working conditions that must be monitored by the government. They employ a significant number of miners and villages whose primary source of income is the extraction of natural stones. Many people rely on mining for a living, and it is critical to the local economy. Mined diamonds are likewise becoming more expensive to mine, implying that prices will continue to rise and keep their worth over time. No two mined diamonds are identical.
Lab Diamonds
Unlike mined diamonds, these diamonds are created in a controlled laboratory setting by small groups of scientists and lab personnel in a matter of weeks. The lab will subject the element carbon to high pressure and high temperature in order to generate a diamond crystal; this is referred to as High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT). Chemical Vapor Deposition is another option (CVD). The lab will take a little seed of a diamond crystal and grow it layer by layer during this process.
Ethically conscious people choose lab diamonds because they eliminate any ethical concerns. Long-term depreciation of lab diamonds may affect their value; this is an important consideration when deciding which stone is suitable for you. Furthermore, due to mass manufacture, these gems may lose their enchantment.
Price of lab grown and mined diamonds
The primary distinction between lab-grown and mined diamonds is price, which is why they are becoming more popular. Lab-grown diamonds can be 20%-40% less expensive than mined diamonds of comparable color, clarity, size, and weight. This pricing disparity is mostly due to the minimal overhead, supply chain, and capacity to rapidly create new stones.
You can now make a better-informed decision based on your needs, style, and budget.
The appearance of lab-grown and mined diamonds
Although the growth timelines for lab diamonds and natural diamonds are vastly different, both diamonds provide the same visual elegance and eternal diamond design.
Lab diamonds are created by replicating the natural process of growing natural diamonds.
As a result, it is practically impossible to tell which diamond is lab-grown and which is mined with the naked eye, let alone magnification.
Advanced gemological testing is usually required to distinguish which diamond is lab-grown and which is mined.
Both sorts of diamonds appear nearly or completely colorless, but they are also available in exotic colors. They are available in the conventional shapes of oval, round, cushion, pear, Asscher, emerald, marquise, radiant, and princess.
Variety of lab-grown and mined diamonds
Types of Lab grown Diamonds
There are different varieties of lab-created diamonds; nonetheless, they have yet to replicate all natural diamonds. Let's take a deeper look at the two primary categories of lab generated diamonds, as well as the subtypes:
Simulant diamonds
The distinction between simulated diamonds and natural diamonds is probably not discernible to the human eye. Simulant diamonds differ from mined diamonds in both chemical and physical properties. These diamonds are constructed from different materials and are not formed from scratch. They were created in the 1970s as a replacement for genuine diamonds used in Victorian times. The lab grown diamonds were created using cut glass, zircon, and white sapphires.
Diamond Nexus Stimulants
These diamonds are created by combining carbon with other elements. Because of their extraordinary longevity, these stimulants come with a triple-lifetime guarantee.
Cubic Zirconia Stimulants
Zirconium dioxide is used to create these diamonds. They are the least durable sort of stimulant diamonds, as well as the least expensive.
Moissanite Lab created gemstones
These stones are made of silicon carbide. Moissanite is a highly strong stimulant, which contributes to its price, which is also fairly expensive. Moissanite has a unique appearance because it is a gemstone.
Cultured diamonds
Cultured diamonds are generated from the ground up in an environment similar to that found in diamond mines. These diamonds are created in a laboratory and have physical and chemical properties that are quite comparable to natural diamonds. These diamonds are particularly imprinted with a number that indicates they aren't real, so they can't be resold or insured. These diamonds are made in two ways, as explained below.
HPHT diamonds
High-pressure high-temperature diamonds are made in an environment that is similar to the environment favorable for the production of mined diamonds. There are three main press designs that are used to supply the pressure and temperature required to produce synthetic diamonds. They are the cubic press, the split-sphere press, and the belt press. Diamond seeds are placed at the bottom of the press.
CVD diamonds
In the chemical vapor deposition process, diamonds are created from a hydrocarbon-gas combination. This approach is regarded as the better option for industrial applications due to its flexibility and simplicity of the process. This is why it is becoming more popular in laboratory studies. HPHT is still the favored procedure for the mass production of diamond crystals. CVD diamond development allows for growth on a variety of substrates and over huge areas. It also enhances control over chemical contaminants.
To summarise, there are two major distinctions between lab grown diamonds and various other forms of lab diamonds. Even after being created in a lab environment, the diamonds have a remarkably similar quality to mined diamonds!
Types of Mined Diamonds
The four Cs of diamonds (color, clarity, carat, and cut) lead to classifications based on diamond grading features rather than scientific reasons.
That's fine from the standpoint of a typical buyer.
However, many in the diamond industry do not refer to "types of diamonds" in these terms.
Diamonds are classified based on their physical and chemical characteristics.
This enables them to determine how a diamond was formed, its genuineness, and whether or not it has been treated.
As a result, the technical "types of diamonds" classification system is as follows:
Type Ia diamonds have a yellowish hue because nitrogen collects in clusters in these stones. This category is divided into sub-sections based on the type of nitrogen aggregation. This is the most popular diamond kind.
Type IIa diamonds have no nitrogen impurities and varying luminous characteristics. Because of the enormous pressures under which they were formed, they frequently have unusual shapes. Because of their incredible radiance, they are the rarest and most precious diamonds.
Type Ib diamonds are likewise relatively rare, and their distinguishing feature is the presence of individual nitrogen atoms distributed throughout the stone (rather than in clusters). In general, this gives a strong yellow, orange, or brown color.
Type IIb diamonds are another unusual form of diamond that contains no nitrogen atoms. However, in addition to the basic carbon component, they include boron. This means they are electrically conductive and have a bluish or blue-gray hue.
The four primary technical classifications of diamonds are as follows. But it's more complicated than that. Under the technical system, a single diamond can have multiple classifications.
You don't need to be an expert on this. Just keep in mind that when you talk about diamond types and a diamond specialist talks about diamond types, you may not be on the same page!
Other unique characteristics of diamonds
The four Cs encompass the primary characteristics that customers consider while selecting diamonds.
The overall shape of a diamond is another noticeable visual aspect. This varies greatly between diamonds depending on their natural characteristics and how they are cut.
When looking for diamond engagement rings, necklaces, diamond earrings, and other jewelry, it is frequently one of the first things people consider.
The following are some of the most frequent diamond shapes:
- Round (the most common)
- Diamonds in the princess-cut, oval, or pear form
- Diamonds in the shape of an emerald
- The form of a diamond can affect its brilliance or clarity, as well as its suitability for a specific piece of jewelry.
When looking at set diamonds, the form of the diamond may have a significant impact on the design of the diamond ring or other piece of jewelry in which it is set.
Why Does Diamondrensu Provide Both Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds?
Diamondrensu has a wide selection of diamonds and lab diamonds for your next Gold Box Moment. Our skilled staff will assist you through the procedure and explain the benefits and drawbacks of both stones. Our goal is for you to be secure that your happily-ever-after treasure will last a lifetime.
Are you ready to find your ideal diamond?
With the information provided above, you should be in a much better position to select your ideal diamond. Begin your shopping here.
