If you ever need proof of the greatness of nature, just look at a diamond. Delightful, beautiful, and truly eternal, these stones have been valued and appreciated by people of all nations for centuries. The beauty of diamonds just doesn’t fade.
Natural diamonds are elegant proof of the power of nature, and a lab grow diamonds are equally compelling evidence of the ability of humans and science to recreate what is one of the most stunning creations on Earth.
But what is a natural diamond made of? And what about lab grow diamonds? Let’s figure it out.
What are natural diamonds made of and how are they born?
Natural diamonds appear in the earth’s crust at a depth of hundreds and thousands of kilometers. The extreme pressure and high temperatures make this environment uninhabitable but ideal for growing diamonds. It is in such conditions that amazingly complex transformations take place, transforming simple substances into beautiful precious stones.
The birth of diamonds begins in the upper mantle of the earth’s crust, where carbon atoms bond to each other and create crystalline formations. Each atom connects to four neighboring ones. For “gluing” special chemical bonds are used, called covalent, one of the strongest known to science. Gradually, over hundreds of millions or billions of years, other carbon atoms attach to this five-atomic structure, and the diamond grows.
Although the nature of the formation of diamonds is well described by scientists, the exact origin of the carbon that makes up these gemstones is not exactly known. It is only safe to say that it is not obtained from coal. Most likely, this carbon comes from limestone, marble, dolomite, and even the remains of prehistoric plants that moved and mixed with the plates of soil underground. Diamonds began to form during a period of volcanic activity: all these natural disasters eventually led to the creation of stunning stones of incredible beauty.
How lab grow diamonds are made?
Lab grow diamonds are not “fake”. They are real and in many respects identical to natural ones. These are not varieties of cubic zirconia, moissanite, and other imitators, but a full-fledged gemstone, a complex carbon structure.
However, it is very important to distinguish natural from lab frow diamonds. This is necessary primarily for buyers because people who purchase expensive things must be sure of their origin. They need to know what they are buying. And lab grow diamonds are not natural.
In terms of their chemical composition, lab grow diamonds are identical to natural or mined diamonds. They, too, are formed from uniquely bonded carbon. They have the same hardness, dispersion and refractive index. This similarity is due to the fact that scientists in laboratories create conditions that mimic the environment of the lower earth’s crust, the highest temperature and pressure. It takes several months to grow diamonds.
What is the difference between natural and lab grow diamonds?
The similarity between the two types of diamonds raises many questions. How do you know if you are buying a natural or lab grow diamond? Does it even matter?
Let’s look at the first question first. There are several ways to determine the origin of a gem, whether it is grown in a laboratory or mined in a mine.
Laboratories are not shy about themselves
Today it is difficult to produce lab grow diamonds, and therefore the vast majority of laboratories do not try to hide the origin of the stone. On the contrary, they use this information for marketing purposes, proudly mentioning that this diamond was made by scientists. Some diamonds even have the microscopic “Made in a Laboratory” mark for complete clarity of origin.
By the way, some people prefer lab grow diamonds for various reasons.
Diamond type
Most lab grow diamonds are type IIa, they do not contain impurities and in most cases are practically colorless. Natural diamonds are not so sterile. Some may have impurities in the form of boron, nitrogen, hydrogen, as well as various defects. Natural type IIa diamonds are extremely rare, they are found only in 1-2% of cases.
The GIA (Diamond Grading Laboratory Network), when it meets a diamond of quality IIa, can use an FTIR spectrometer, a sophisticated laboratory instrument that allows you to determine the origin of the gem.
Analysis using special machines
Lab grow diamonds are made up of carbon, just like natural diamonds. Therefore, it is almost impossible to see the difference with the naked eye or even under a microscope. As a consequence, laboratories (including the GIA) use specialized equipment to determine the origin of a diamond.
Growing a diamond in laboratories begins with a “seed”, a tiny piece of natural or lab grow diamond. It is placed in a vacuum chamber and exposed to microwave rays, hydrogen and methane to create new layers of carbon bonds.
As a consequence, at the microscopic level, lab grow diamonds have a very characteristic structure. And it can be detected using special equipment.
Choosing a reputable supplier
Another way to make sure you’re getting what you pay for is by contacting a reputable supplier or retailer. At Goldsmith, we personally inspect every diamond that comes in to ensure it is natural and can identify lab grow diamonds using state-of-the-art technology.
Why is it important to distinguish natural from lab grow diamonds?
Now to the second question: why is it important to distinguish natural from lab grow diamonds? The fact is that when purchasing such expensive items, you must know exactly what you are paying for and get what you want. Some people prefer lab grow diamonds, while others want a natural diamond created by nature.
It is very important to get what you want. And if you are looking to buy natural diamonds created by the forces of the earth millions of years ago, lab grow ones may disappoint you. And if you are a fan of progress, then, on the contrary, natural diamonds will not delight you as much as those created in the laboratory.
So arm yourself with the knowledge and find a reliable seller. For example, you can buy high-quality natural diamonds from the best suppliers from us. We’ve personally checked each one!
