As the summer of 2024 rolls around, with AGTA recently imposing a ban on all Lab Grown and synthetic materials. With a lot of happy reactions to the news, there are a few disappointed ones as well.Â
In the world of gemstones, terms like CVD, lab-grown, lab-created, synthetic diamonds, and Moissanite often create confusion. Each has unique characteristics and origins, catering to different preferences and budgets. Letâs delve into the distinctions among these options to help you make an informed choice.
CVD Diamonds
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamonds are a type of lab-grown diamond. The CVD process involves placing a carbon-rich gas in a chamber, where it decomposes under high temperatures, depositing carbon atoms onto a diamond seed. This method allows for precise control over the diamond's growth, resulting in high-quality gems with properties identical to natural diamonds. CVD diamonds are prized for their affordability and ethical sourcing, making them a popular alternative to mined diamonds.
Lab-Grown and Lab-Created Diamonds
Lab-grown and lab-created diamonds are interchangeable terms that refer to diamonds produced in a laboratory setting rather than being mined from the earth. These diamonds are created using two main methods: CVD and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Both processes replicate the natural conditions under which diamonds form. The result is a diamond with the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as a natural diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly and conflict-free, offering a sustainable choice for consumers.
Synthetic Diamonds
The term "synthetic diamonds" can be misleading. While it suggests something artificial, synthetic diamonds are real diamonds. They are created through technological processes like CVD and HPHT, producing gemstones indistinguishable from natural diamonds. The word "synthetic" simply indicates that the diamond was created in a lab. These diamonds are becoming increasingly popular due to their ethical production and lower cost compared to natural diamonds.
Moissanite
Moissanite, a silicon carbide gemstone, is often mistaken for diamond due to its brilliant sparkle. Discovered by French chemist Henri Moissan, natural moissanite is extremely rare, leading to the production of lab-created moissanite. While moissanite resembles diamonds, it differs in composition and properties. It has a higher refractive index, making it more brilliant than diamonds. However, moissanite is not as hard as diamonds, scoring 9.25 on the Mohs scale compared to a diamond's perfect 10. Moissanite is a popular diamond alternative due to its affordability and impressive brilliance.
Key Differences
- Composition: Diamonds (natural, lab-grown, synthetic) are made of carbon, while moissanite is made of silicon carbide.
- Creation: Lab-grown and synthetic diamonds are created in controlled environments, while moissanite is primarily lab-created due to its rarity in nature.
- Properties: Diamonds have unmatched hardness and a specific sparkle. Moissanite, though similar, is slightly less hard but more refractive.
- Ethics and Sustainability: Lab-grown and synthetic diamonds are more sustainable and ethically sourced compared to mined diamonds.
Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right gemstone based on your preferences for durability, brilliance, ethical considerations, and budget. Whether you choose a CVD diamond, lab-grown diamond, synthetic diamond, or moissanite, each offers unique benefits, ensuring there is an option for every jewelry lover.
In summary, CVD, lab-grown, lab-created, and synthetic gemstones are all real gemstones produced in a lab with identical properties to natural diamonds, whereas moissanite is a different gemstone made of silicon carbide, known for its higher refractive index and brilliance but slightly lower hardness. Lab-grown and synthetic gemstones are more sustainable and affordable compared to natural diamonds, while moissanite offers a brilliant and cost-effective alternative.
Lab-Grown Emeralds and Corundums
Beyond diamonds, the world of lab-grown gemstones also includes emeralds and corundums (sapphires and rubies). Lab-grown emeralds are created using methods like hydrothermal and flux growth, mimicking natural conditions to produce stones with similar properties to mined emeralds. They are known for their vivid green color and clarity, often at a fraction of the price of natural emeralds.
Lab-grown corundums, encompassing sapphires and rubies, are produced using the flame fusion or Czochralski process. These methods yield high-quality gems that are chemically and physically identical to their natural counterparts. Lab-grown sapphires and rubies are popular for their brilliant colors and affordability, making them accessible options for fine jewelry.
Choosing lab-grown emeralds and corundums offers similar benefits to lab-grown diamonds: ethical sourcing, sustainability, and excellent quality at a lower cost. As technology advances, these lab-grown gemstones continue to gain popularity, providing consumers with a wider range of beautiful, responsible choices.