Lab created diamonds display the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds, along with the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle. Since no mining is necessary to produce these gemstones, they are an especially environmentally friendly choice.

Not surprisingly, most people are still unaware of the process behind creating these sparklers in a lab. There are two common methods for lab diamond creation, High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). For high quality, wearable gems, CVD is the preferred process.

For a behind the scenes look at how lab created diamonds are made, we’ve created a series of GIFS illustrating the steps involved in the CVD process.

Start with methane gas (CH4), and form a plasma with hydrogen (H).

Add a disc made up of 15-30 diamond seeds (small pieces of natural diamond) and place into the microwave reactor.

For an exceptional gemstone, adjust the temperature in the chamber to between 900 and 1200°C.

The activated carbon-hydrogen species attaches itself to the seed atom. This process repeats itself endlessly for 21-28 days to replicate the crystal structure of the diamond seed crystal in three dimensions.

iPad alerts notify technicians that the grown diamonds are ready for removal. The 15-30 rectangular shaped gems are removed from the reactor and sent to a gemologist for cutting.

A gemologist cuts the stone to perfection and the diamond is added to a ring setting.

Final Thoughts

A few decades ago it would be unimaginable to create diamonds in a lab that had the same properties as mined diamonds, much less have them completed in a few weeks. Now, technological advances have made lab created gems more beautiful and sought after than ever. For couples who are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional mined diamond, lab created gems are a great option.

Would you consider selecting a lab-grown diamond the next time you are in the market for a dazzling new stone? Let us know in the comments below, or on our Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!