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The idea of man-made diamonds dates back more than one hundred years, to early experiments inspired by a meteorite. With very recent scientific advancements, today’s synthetic diamonds are gem quality and are even recognized by the Gemological Institute of America.

Scientists “grow” them in a lab using techniques that replicate the conditions of nature, which normally occur hundreds of miles below the earth’s surface. Lab-created diamonds are the result of the same high pressure, high temperature and chemical vapor deposition, yet they are cultivated and ready to cut in less than five days.

Recent developments in the chemical vapor deposition process have perfected the method, allowing gem labs to grow perfectly beautiful stones. The differences between them, and their mined counterparts, are only detected by an expert’s careful examination. Its absence of inclusions, or flaws, is actually a desired characteristic, and its slightly different growth pattern is not detected by the naked eye of even a trained jeweler.

Recognizing the importance of the hardest substance known to man, scholars have long speculated on the possibility of manufacturing the stones for industrial purposes. The earliest man-made diamonds were synthetic, which means they possess the same chemical composition as the naturally mined gems.

In 1893, Dr. Henri Moissan discovered what appeared to be tiny diamonds on the surface of the ground where a meteorite had landed. He conducted an experiment using high heat, pressure and graphite. Over the years, scientists continued his work, perfecting the technique and documenting small successes.

In the 1970s, scientists in the Soviet Union took a German-discovered gemstone and applied extreme heat to create clear sparkling cubic crystals, named cubic zirconia. Because the result was not of the same chemical composition, but was similar in appearance, this was called a simulated process. After being mass marketed by Swarovski & Company in the 1980’s, the cubic zirconia became the first man-made alternative on the market.  Read more...

Diamonds are a must-have for any couple getting serious about the future of their relationship, and many say they are a girl’s best friend. That said, the political instability of central African countries where mining takes place, allegations of deadly child labor and the funding of wars with so called “blood diamonds” have greatly reduced the appetite for the gem. For the aficionado in the hopes of finding another solution, synthetic diamonds present all of the luster, cut, fire and prestige of the real thing without any of the socio-economic and political baggage. Man-made in labs, these gems are created through three different basic processes.

Perhaps the most famous means of creating these stones is through a method using a combination of high pressure and high temperature. An inner cell filled with a diamond grain is subjected to enormous pressures as well as temperatures in excess of 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. The pressure and heat surrounding the cell enable the grain to grow atom by atom, producing a complete gem.

Cultured stones may also be crafted via chemical vapor deposition. A mix of hydrocarbon gasses acts upon a microscopic diamond seed. The tiny shard interacts with the consistent onslaught of the carbon and over time the process forms a larger gem.

Some lab-created diamonds are formed as a result of a violent explosion. Contained within a metal chamber, pressure and temperature are combined to create carbon-laden explosives, depositing fragments known as “nano-crystals.” These crystals become the seeds for the high-pressure process mentioned above.  Read more...

Shopping for the perfect diamond can be an exciting experience. It can also be a confusing one. Cost and quality are major concerns for the average consumer. Synthetic (also known as man-made or cultured) diamonds are becoming increasingly popular for those seeking excellence and value because they are less expensive and colored stones are more available in larger sizes.

Unlike cubic zirconia, man-made diamonds are true diamonds, developed in a laboratory over a period of several days. The process imitates the growth of natural stones. They are grown in the same fashion as the naturally mined gemstones, but at a quicker pace. This controlled method allows for higher production numbers and lower costs. Synthetics have the same chemical structures and physical properties as those found in nature. Without advanced instruments, however, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between the two.

Because these gems are available in an array of styles and sizes, the amount of savings varies. Consumers can expect to save at least ten percent by choosing cultured gems over natural ones. Usually found online rather than in traditional jewelry stores, some large suppliers have been known to offer savings up to fifty percent, with the average being around thirty percent.

Contrary to what is found in nature, synthetic colorless diamonds are rarer than colored ones. Because of this, the savings on colored synthetic stones is significant. Average savings can be as high as thirty-five percent or more. Labs can produce stones of varying colors, including yellows, pinks, and blues. This adds to the appeal for many people, as these colors are so rare in nature and are subsequently quite expensive.  Read more...

About 2.5 billion years ago microorganisms living in the oceans died and sank to the floor. After decomposition, what remained was pure carbon. When this carbon is put under intense pressure and extreme heat over thousands of years, the end result is crystals, better known as diamonds. When the process is interrupted by infusions of other elements such as sulfur or nitrogen, the crystals that are formed will be colored.

When the pressure and heating process is not perfectly even, but without inclusion of other elements, the end result is a “flawed” colorless, or often called white diamond. Whether the crystals formed are colored, flawed, or perfect, we do know this process creates the hardest crystals known to man.

Scientists formulated the process to create man-made or cultured diamonds years ago. In fact, most of the industrial diamonds currently in use are man-made. In 2004, scientists working at the Carnegie Institution’s Geophysical Laboratory, using a gas mixture, produced gems that were harder than other crystals. These lab created crystals were made in less than one day and are in fact, real diamonds.

When most people think of crystals they often envision white diamonds. As of October, 2007, there was no laboratory capable of creating colorless crystals, or as these they are commonly known, white diamonds. That problem has been solved now in 2010, but because the carbon has to be pure to create the “white” color, lab created crystals are primarily colored yellow diamonds (the easiest and least expensive to produce).

“Fancy colors,” such as blue and pink are being more available now as well. The yellow coloration is the result of nitrogen in the crystal structure. Laboratories can easily incorporate nitrogen into their gem creations, and do so because nitrogen is a catalyst which also significantly speeds up the growth of the gems. In nature, there are approximately 10,000 white diamonds for every yellow or fancy one, which is why the mined natural colored gems command a considerably higher per carat price.  Read more...

It has often been said that diamonds are eternal. Taking millions of years to form in nature, they are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. It’s no wonder that they have become a symbol of enduring love and stability. Recent scientific advancements now allow for efficient production of jewelry-quality cultured, or man-made, diamonds. In some cases, these can be far more precious, unique and personalized keepsakes and heirlooms than mined stones.

Man-made stones are “grown” from a tiny seed of diamond, resulting in a flawless gem that is optically, chemically and physically identical to natural mined jewels. They are produced over a period of several weeks rather than millions of years. However, it is now possible to include carbon from sources as diverse as human hair and the ashes of the deceased.

This has led to the rise of synthetic stones that are produced using, for example, hair from the bride and groom of a wedding, or from the ashes of a beloved grandparent. While every gem is unique, these man-made stones are even more so, since the carbon which is used to produce them comes from a very specific source.

Besides the aforementioned uses in wedding bands and commemorative jewelry, these synthetic diamonds can serve as the ultimate Mother’s Day gift. A ring, bracelet or necklace with a center stone containing hair from each child will become a treasured keepsake, offering a degree of uniqueness which simply cannot be matched or repeated. In addition, those who want to commemorate a beloved cat, dog or other pet will be pleased to know that the pet’s hair or fur can also be used to create a cultured diamond.  Read more...

For centuries, diamonds have been evaluated using the four Cs: cut, clarity, color and carat. However, recent innovations have allowed the addition of a fifth C: created. Thanks to innovations in modern chemistry and physics, it is now possible to create jewel-quality stones. These created gems are free of the defects and inclusions that are present in most mined stones.

The first C, “cut,” refers to how the diamond has been cut by a jeweler. Even the most beautiful gem starts out as a rough stone with no facets. The way in which a gem sparkles and reflects light is dependent on how the facets are cut into it. The cut is one of the largest determinants of a stone’s value. An excellent cut can turn a the right raw gem into a stone worth thousands or even millions of dollars, while a poor cut may ruin even an excellent gem. Since a cut cannot be undone and gemcutting takes years to master, the value of the cut cannot be underestimated.

The next two Cs, “clarity,” and “color” are determined by impurities in the gem’s crystal structure. Small mineral deposits that appear as darker spots in the stone, called inclusions, are common. Inclusions do not necessarily ruin a gem; very few mined stones are given a grade of “flawless,” and those few are incredibly expensive. Only the lowest clarity grades feature inclusions that are easily seen by the naked eye, and a good cut can help to conceal small inclusions and bring out the best of the stone.  Read more...

Both men and women admire designer and fashion jewelry. While taste in specific settings differs widely, most people have an appreciation for the look and aesthetics of diamonds. It wasn’t all that long ago that diamonds were worn primarily by the wealthy. This is no longer the case. With the introduction of man-made diamonds into the jewelry market, a beautiful single – or multiple – diamond setting is now within the budget of many more people.

Man-made, also known as cultured, diamonds are created through a process involving the combination of pressure and heat, which greatly benefits the environment while producing beautiful diamonds in far less time than mining for them. One of the most impressive qualities of these gems is that, once complete, they contain the same physical, chemical, and optical qualities as those mined from the earth itself. The naked eye cannot detect the difference, and in fact, even the jeweler’s loupe so often seen in movies cannot discern man-made stones from those formed naturally in the earth.

Whether you are interested in a custom designed pendant or bracelet, an engagement ring or wedding band, you can now find any of these pieces with beautiful stones in several colors. Thanks to new production techniques, these diamonds are also available in emerald greens, sapphire blues, pinks and yellows – at about two thirds the price of mined colored diamonds. Consumers have greater options when choosing a setting or collection of stones for a gift set, while still including the clear stone that is more commonly found in mines around the world.  Read more...

Diamonds have always been considered as women have preferred jewelry. Over the years, diamonds have created conflicts, problems and environmental concerns. Some individuals believe that problems that diamonds cause are becoming obsolete because of the emergence of synthetic or lab-created diamonds. People are initially fooled by the term lab by which it’s called because they think it is a mock up. In previous years, lab-grown or synthetic diamonds had a bad connotation. Now, they are highly accepted by the public not just for its consistent quality and composition that is almost perfectly identical with a natural diamond, but because they were able to solve problems that natural diamonds have stirred up.

You see, behind the gleaming beauty and elegance of a naturally acquired diamond is the dark story of how it was taken and the negative effects that it imposes on the environment. You have to put in mind that when you are buying a natural diamond, you are condoning child labor and other inhumane practices. More often than not. People from Africa would even consider killing other people just so they could get their hands on the diamond and sell it in the market.

On top of that, naturally acquired diamonds are also smuggled in the different countries around the world because the demand is just immense. This mode of acquisition not only makes it dangerous for the people who are involved, but it is also humanely unacceptable. This, together with other factors has brought the prices of natural diamonds up.  Read more...

While most people still think of diamonds as being created over millions of years deep in the earth’s crust, increasing concern over the environmental degradation that often results from diamond mining is causing more and more people to reconsider the purchase of mined gems. Many are choosing more reasonably priced man made diamonds instead.

It is a pleasure to regard the sparkle, fire and brilliance of a well cut diamond. For many years, this stone has symbolized love and commitment between partners. It is unfortunate that the diamond mining process does not reflect this beauty — in fact, it is quite the opposite. As much as a ton or rock and earth must be removed to get a single one-carat gem. A tragic, ugly scar on a once beautiful landscape is the sad reality of diamond mining.

Unfortunately, open pit mining is much more than merely unpleasant to look at. It destroys the local ecosystem and causes a great deal of serious pollution, affecting local flora and fauna as well as humans. Cyanide and mercury are used to free diamonds from their rock casings, and these chemicals are released in large quantities into local rivers and streams. Fortunately, man-made diamonds are an environmentally friendly option now available to those who would like to have their diamonds without guilt over the environment.

Produced in the controlled environment of a lab, “cultured” stones are grown from diamond seeds. These tiny diamond bits are placed in a carbon environment, heated and pressurized, and allowed to grow just as diamonds do in the Earth’s crust (but it takes weeks rather than months). A small amount of electricity is required, but no other resources are necessary. This process does not need cyanide, mercury, or other harmful chemicals. It also doesn’t require tearing apart the earth, nor does it cause humans or animals to suffer, as occurs all too often in diamond mining. Up to four percent of the total mined diamond supply is comprised of conflict or “blood” diamonds, which fund terrorism and war in developing nations.  Read more...

After so many years of ruling the diamond industry, the De Beers have finally found their match brought about an unprecedented scientific advancement in creating diamonds. These lab grown or synthetic diamonds are absolutely stunning that it is seen to take over the monopoly of the De Beers.

What exactly are man-made diamonds? Man-made diamonds are artificially made diamonds. These diamonds are created through a process called CVD or chemical vapor deposition. In essence, the way this works is by enabling diamonds to grow one at a time of crystals. With the help of extremely high pressures and temperatures, the diamonds are able to achieve the kind of quality that real diamonds possess. In just a 12 hour time span, the diamonds will be able to grow into one full carat. This is an amazing breakthrough considering that engagement rings are less than one carat.

The primary reason as to why this kind of process was attained was because of the interest that the jewelry industry has shown over the Ersatz’ variety of the 45 carat Hope diamond. In addition to that, scientists all over the world were also able to come up with new uses for artificial diamonds. With the use of chemical vapor deposition, scientists will be able to mass-produce diamond semiconductors, which have turned out to be more than a hundred percent more efficient than their silicon counterparts.

Due to its promising results, a lot of scientists have shown their interest in the new found industry. Researchers from Apollo Diamond Incorporated in Boston and Russell Hemley from the Geophysical Lab of Carnegie Institution of Washington have by far created the most unblemished and largest lab made diamonds in the world.  Read more...