A lot of people who are not frequent jewelry buyers are caught off guard when they hear the term lab grown diamonds, but just because something is different doesn’t mean that you should fear it. In fact, to most people’s surprise, it turns out that diamonds grown in a lab are equal or even more pure than diamonds that are mined. This means that they are a very great option if you are looking for a diamond for an engagement ring or any other piece of jewelry, and they are a much more conscious way to make a purchase.
With that in mind, if you are looking for a new engagement ring or a new piece of jewelry in Littleton, CO, take a moment to read more about lab grown diamonds and why they might be the right choice for you. While you don’t necessarily need to go looking for a diamond grown in a lab, if you find a piece that is from a lab and you really like it; you won’t have to worry about it. Now is the time to learn a bit more about how diamonds are created in a lab and why they are a great option for you.
How are Diamonds Grown in a Lab?
The first step in understanding more about lab grown diamonds is learning about how they are created. The process is expensive, which is why you won’t find a lab grown diamond for pennies, but it is still more cost-effective than mining diamonds which is why you can sometimes secure a deal on a diamond that is grown in a lab. This is one side benefit of choosing to look at lab grown diamonds. After all, taking the edge off the price of a diamond in Littleton, CO is always something that you can appreciate.
There are two ways to grow diamonds in a lab; the most common method involves using high amounts of pressure that simulate the high pressures of atmospheric pressure to form a diamond. A variety of chemical processes are used and replicated, which creates the exact same condition so that a diamond can grow naturally. Since the same conditions are created, the new diamond is the same as any other diamond that grows under high pressure in the earth’s crust. This is why the results are exactly the same, but since the conditions can be controlled the diamonds are not contaminated and are often much more pure.
The second way to grow a diamond is by using chemical vapors to help create the same type of conditions. In this situation, a diamond seed is placed inside of a sealed chamber that is heated to extreme temperatures and then carbon gases like hydrogen and methane fill the chamber. These gases are ionized which breaks down their molecular bond much like what happens at the surface of the earth. The end result is that carbon bonds to the seed which is what stems the creation of a diamond. Throughout the process additional irradiation or heat can be used so that the diamond’s purity and color can be enhanced as it is grown.
How Long Does It Take to Grow a Diamond?
One of the most astounding parts of lab grown diamonds is that they don’t take very long to grow. Unlike their naturally occurring counterparts that require billions of years to grow, a lab grown diamond can be created in about a month. White diamonds, because of their purity, require the full month to grow while yellow and blue diamonds can be created in just five to ten days. The hardest part of growing a diamond is actually not rushing the process, because too much pressure will cause the crystal to fracture which results in wasted effort.
This is one reason why the price tag associated with lab grown diamonds is still high. While it is lower than a mined diamond in many cases, the materials required to grow a lab diamond are high-priced and the process can only be completed by trained professionals. Therefore, it is still a complicated process, but the result of a pure diamond is worth it for most people.
What are the Benefits of Opting for a Lab Diamond?
There are a lot of benefits of opting for a lab grown diamond, which is one of the major reasons why so many people go for them. The biggest benefit is that you know exactly where your diamond came from. Unlike mined diamonds which can come from regions with a lot of conflict and controversy, lab grown diamonds can be traced back to the lab that they were grown at. This allows people with consciousness objections to diamonds to comfortably enjoy the beauty of a diamond without any moral conflicts.
Lab grown diamonds also have a much lesser carbon footprint than their mined counterparts. Mining usually requires hundreds of thousands of pounds of dirt to be moved to find a one-carat diamond. This requires a great deal of machinery, labor, and more things known to hurt the environment. While the diamond industry wants people to believe diamonds are rare and worth this process, we now know that a much more sustainable way to grow diamonds is better for people and the environment.
Finally, lab grown diamonds are often of better quality than mined diamonds because their quality can be controlled during the process. While you will still never be able to grow two diamonds in exactly the same way, you can control the conditions to ensure the best cut, color, and clarity which is reflected in the final result. If you are on the hunt for a diamond in Littleton, CO, make an appointment to come browse our selection at Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry.
