For several years now, the lab-grown diamond has become increasingly accessible, taking its place alongside the natural diamond. However, some people are still hesitant and have questions about the true quality of lab-grown diamonds. In this article, we give you every reason to choose a lab-grown diamond.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
You may also hear the terms laboratory diamond, lab-created diamond or cultured diamond used to describe a lab-grown diamond. It is a diamond created by humans, as opposed to a natural diamond, which forms naturally in the Earth's crust.
How to choose the right lab-grown diamond
As with a natural diamond, you should rely on the 4Cs to choose the perfect lab-grown diamond for you and your needs:
- Cut: the cut has a significant effect on your diamond's brilliance. A well-cut diamond allows light to be refracted in the most optimal way possible.
- Carat: the carat corresponds to the size of the diamond. It should depend on your expectations and, above all, your personal taste. Make sure the size of the diamond suits your needs. Maison Laveran offers a range of carat weights, from the smallest to the largest. For example, our Vendôme round diamond solitaire ring is available with diamonds from 0.30 to 3.00 carats. Another example: our Montaigne princess diamond pendant is available with diamonds from 0.30 to 2.00 carats.
- Color: some lab-grown diamonds have certain color tints, such as yellow, blue or green. If you don't want any tint at all, you can opt for a white lab-grown diamond.
- Clarity: clarity can vary from one diamond to another, whether lab-grown or natural. It refers to the purity of the stone and whether or not it has visible inclusions.
In short, it is essential to check the characteristics of a lab-grown diamond carefully before buying it, to make sure you are getting a quality product that meets your expectations and preferences. It is also vital to confirm the authenticity of the lab-grown diamond by obtaining a certificate from a recognized laboratory, which provides information on the 4 characteristics described above.
How is a lab-grown diamond made?
The worlds of jewelry and fine jewelry have incorporated lab-grown diamonds into their creations ever since laboratory techniques made it possible. These processes give these diamonds the same physical, chemical and optical characteristics as natural ones. Today there are two techniques for growing them. The first reproduces the conditions in which a natural diamond develops, recreating the conditions of its formation. This is the HPHT method (High Pressure, High Temperature), in which a tiny diamond seed is placed in a press, where it grows over time.
The second method produces the lab-grown diamonds with the best clarity and brilliance: the CVD method (Chemical Vapor Deposition). Here, reactive gases are used to deposit carbon onto a surface, which is then transformed into diamond.
What is the difference between a natural and a lab-grown diamond?
To the naked eye, there is no visible difference. There is no distinction in clarity or brilliance. The only visible difference is the certificate number engraved on the diamond. There are therefore several reasons to choose a lab-grown diamond rather than a natural diamond.
The first reason is cost. Lab-grown diamonds are generally less expensive than natural diamonds of similar quality. This allows you to get a larger diamond, according to your preferences, or a higher-quality one for the same budget.
Next, some consumers turn to lab-grown diamonds because they are considered more ethical. These diamonds are not extracted from mines, which can cause significant ecological or social damage.
In addition, lab-grown diamonds can be produced using laboratory methods to create colors and sizes that are unavailable in nature, so you can enjoy unique diamonds customized to your preferences.
Lab-grown diamonds are therefore quality diamonds that can be difficult to tell apart from their natural counterparts. The choice depends on your taste and your budget.
Where to buy a lab-grown diamond
Laveran's main goal is to combine our time-honored craftsmanship with the environmental challenges of tomorrow. That is why all the diamonds in our creations are lab-grown and, above all, sustainable, both ecologically and over time.
We make it a point of honor to create the diamond of tomorrow, one that meets all the challenges of today's society while guaranteeing you the highest quality, whether for our solitaires, our wedding bands, our necklaces and pendants, our earrings or our bracelets.
