Loose Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are created in a laboratory within a controlled environment, emulating the process of natural diamonds formed under the Earth’s crust. They are produced using two methods, namely Chemical Vapour Deposition and High Pressure High Temperature (also known as CVD and HPHT). In the HPHT process, a tiny diamond seed is placed inside a carbon-filled container and exposed to high pressure and extreme temperature. Whereas in CVD, a diamond seed is heated in a vacuum at a high temperature and the vacuum is then filled with carbon gases.

All blood diamonds are mined diamonds, but not all mined diamonds are blood diamonds. Basically, all mined diamonds come at the expense of environmental damage and exploitative labour practices prevalent in the mining industry, so they are controversial, but that doesn’t make them “blood diamonds” by default. However, a vast majority of mined diamonds come from trade in conflict zones, where the funds are used to enable terrorism or war. These diamonds are known as “blood diamonds”.

Undoubtedly, lab grown diamonds are as strong and durable as natural diamonds, thanks to their structural and chemical composition, which is exactly the same.
Fun Fact: Both diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and owing to their resilience, lab grown diamonds are widely used for drilling through glass, concrete, asphalt and more. They have an exceptionally strong structure of carbon atoms, allowing them to survive the rigours of nearly anything.

Lab diamonds are graded by diamond grading institutions based on similar factors such as mined diamonds, primarily including the 4 C's, dimensions, symmetry, luminance and inclusions of the stone. The most reliable world-renowned diamond grading institutions include the IGI, GIA and GCAL, which use strict grading systems to certify your stones. The grading reports provided by these institutes help you analyse the right value of your gem. Since lab grown diamonds are a valuable commodity, it is always advisable to check for their grading certification during the purchase.