What are they?
Natural diamonds
Natural diamonds are the diamonds people are most familiar with. These diamonds grow roughly 125 miles beneath the earth's surface when carbon atoms were exposed to heat and pressure over 1-3 billion years ago. Diamonds are then mined in a number of different ways before they sorted; only 20% of those natural diamonds are deemed suitable for jewelry use. The other 80% that are not suitable for use in jewelry pieces are known as "industrial diamonds" and are mainly used for cutting, drilling, grinding, and scientific research purposes.
Lab-Grown diamonds
Lab-Grown diamonds are the "hot new thing" to more recently hit the market. But did you know, they are actually not that new at all? General Electric successfully grew the first man-made diamond in the 1950's but the process was expensive and not ready for public production yet. Scientists have since improved the systems used to grow diamonds while simultaneously lowering costs. Chemically, lab-grown diamonds are identical to diamonds produced naturally; both are made of crystalized carbon. There is no way to tell the difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond with the naked eye, even for jewelry professionals.
Due to their being identical, special precautions have been taken throughout the entire diamond industry to ensure there are no mix-ups between the two. These precautions include things such as small serial numbers engraved on the sides of lab grown diamonds, testing diamonds multiple times with different testing machines, and different colored sealed packaging to ensure there is no confusion.
Due to their being identical, special precautions have been taken throughout the entire diamond industry to ensure there are no mix-ups between the two. These precautions include things such as small serial numbers engraved on the sides of lab grown diamonds, testing diamonds multiple times with different testing machines, and different colored sealed packaging to ensure there is no confusion.
Key Points
1. Lab-Grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds.
2. Lab-Grown diamonds cost less their natural counterparts.
3. Natural diamonds are products of the earth while lab-grown diamonds were grown in a controlled environment within a laboratory.
4. Both are graded on the same scale and can come with official certifications.
2. Lab-Grown diamonds cost less their natural counterparts.
3. Natural diamonds are products of the earth while lab-grown diamonds were grown in a controlled environment within a laboratory.
4. Both are graded on the same scale and can come with official certifications.
