Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Stunning Alternative

If you are in search of gorgeously colored diamonds, you may have encountered lab-grown diamonds. Natural-colored diamonds are incredibly rare and, consequently, exorbitantly expensive. Colorful lab-created diamonds serve as a fantastic alternative.

What is a Lab Diamond?

A lab diamond is a diamond cultivated in a controlled laboratory setting. Experts utilize advanced technological processes and the same materials from which natural diamonds are formed to engineer these diamonds. A minute carbon-based diamond seed is placed in a machine that subjects it to intense pressure and heat, mimicking the conditions deep within the Earth. Subsequently, a gas mixture is introduced, causing the diamond seed to grow. The resultant diamond possesses identical characteristics and qualities to natural diamonds.

Chemical Structure and Beauty

Since scientists can regulate the environment in a lab, unlike beneath the Earth's crust, lab diamonds exhibit the same chemical structure and breathtaking beauty as natural diamonds. Often, their clarity and color surpass those of natural diamonds, applying to both traditional colorless and fancy-colored diamonds.

Affordability and Ethics

Apart from their impeccable beauty, lab diamonds tend to be more affordable and raise fewer ethical and eco-conscious concerns compared to their natural counterparts. They are incorporated into all types of jewelry, ranging from lab diamond engagement rings to lab-created diamond earrings. The more favorable pricing of lab-created diamonds frequently allows for the purchase of jewelry with a larger carat weight or more intricate design than earth-mined diamonds.

Fancy-Colored Lab Diamonds

A fancy-colored lab diamond undergoes the same technological process as a colorless lab diamond but features a dazzling hue instead of the classic colorless appearance. Any diamond that deviates from the traditional white is considered a fancy diamond.

Fancy-colored diamonds come in various shades, including pink, blue, and yellow. Naturally, only one in 10,000 diamonds exhibits a fancy color, and most often, the color isn't very saturated. This is because, in natural conditions, impurities accidentally react with carbon, rendering colored diamonds more or less an anomaly in the process.

In a lab, impurities—substances other than carbon—are deliberately added in specific amounts under controlled conditions to achieve remarkable colors. Each color results from a different compound:

• ‌Brown, Orange, and Yellow‌: Mixed with nitrogen.
• ‌Blue‌: Tiny amounts of boron mixed with carbon.
• ‌Green‌: Induced by gamma radiation.
• ‌Pink and Red‌: Thought to be achieved by applying higher pressure, potentially altering the diamond's structure.

Scientists can slightly alter the gas mixture with these compounds to modify the diamond's color. Individuals seeking unique and colorful jewelry pieces often turn to lab-created fancy diamonds, which look stunning in all types of jewelry. Notably, many celebrities have recently incorporated fancy colored diamonds (likely natural) into their engagement rings, inspiring others to follow suit.

Grading Fancy-Colored Lab Diamonds

It's crucial to understand that fancy-colored lab diamonds are not graded like colorless diamonds. The traditional 4Cs (carat, clarity, color, and cut) do not typically apply, mainly because lab-grown diamonds can be created devoid of impurities and flaws.

Instead, lab-created fancy-colored diamonds are graded based on:

• ‌Hue‌: The actual color.
• ‌Tone‌: How light or dark the color is.
• ‌Saturation‌: How intense the color is.

Nine color categories constitute the range of color saturation: Fancy Vivid, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, Fancy Dark, Fancy, Fancy Light, Light, Very Light, and Faint. Preferences for color and shade vary, and that's acceptable.

Popular Colors

The three most sought-after colors are:

• ‌Yellow and Brown‌: Yellow diamonds are sometimes referred to as canary diamonds, while brown is known as chocolate diamonds. These hues are most widely found naturally, making them a popular choice for those desiring a natural fancy diamond look-alike.
• ‌Red‌: Naturally, red is the rarest color to find. Thus, some individuals adore red lab-grown diamonds as they are more accessible than their natural counterparts.
• ‌Blue‌: Blue is another popular fancy diamond color. The renowned Hope diamond exemplifies a deep, greyish blue. Blue diamonds can also resemble sapphires, which have gained fashionable prominence through celebrities like Kate Middleton.

Tips for Buying Lab-Made Diamonds

When searching for lab-made diamonds, consider the following:

• ‌Face-Up Color‌: Opt for a stone with an appealing face-up color, as this is the view you will have in the final jewelry piece, even if the diamond's clarity isn't pristine.
• ‌Fancy Shapes‌: Fancy-colored diamonds are bold and unique. Pairing their adventurous color with a fancy shape, such as a radiant cut, enhances their shine.
• ‌Certified Lab Diamonds‌: Only purchase from a reputable brand offering certified lab diamonds. Lab certification is crucial for establishing value and making an informed choice by comparing diamond specifics and grades.