Few would argue that the ice in their freezer is any different than ice in Antarctica. Chemically, optically and physically, the ice is identical. The only difference between the two ice samples is that one was made by a machine and the other by nature.
Just as the natural process of freezing water into ice can be mimicked by a machine, so too can the natural process of creating diamonds.
Diamonds have been grown in labs for commercial applications since the 1950s. For more than a decade, scientists have been developing the technology to produce genuine diamonds that are identical to those found in nature, which formed because of high temperatures and pressure applied to carbon over billions of years. It has only been in the past few years, though, that the retail market has started selling gem-quality diamonds.
To the unaided eye, lab-grown diamonds look like mined diamonds. With the aid of sophisticated equipment, jewelers and gemologists can identify a diamond as having been man-made, and then only because of the lack of blemishes relative to mined diamonds. Of course, since they are not mined, the Earth is not stripped, habitats not destroyed and communities not displaced. Lab-grown diamonds are the only diamonds guaranteed to be “conflict-free” and mainly impact the Earth through the energy used to power the machines. Many argue that lab-grown diamonds are the most sustainable alternative.
At this point, there are only a handful of labs in the world developing the process and availability is limited. A half-carat lab-grown diamond is on the large size of what is currently being produced. With regard to colored diamonds, it is only the yellow and orange that are being grown with any significant size above three quarters carat. Other colors such as champagne, pink and blue are limited to about a half carat.
Tell us what you think about lab-grown diamonds. Do you think the magical mystery of a diamond is enhanced or compromised by it being formed by machine? Does knowledge that a lab-grown diamond is “conflict-free” make it more appealing?
Posted by paigiegirl - March 17, 2009 05:40 PM
Very interesting. I'll definitely be checking out lab-created diamonds for my next purchase.
Posted by - March 17, 2009 05:50 PM
It would be very interesting to get a jewelers perspective on this. I know a handful of mom and pop jewelers who refuse to work with synthetic diamonds because of unforeseen problems. One of our jeweler friends told us that chemicals used in the diamond can turn black when the diamond is heated (say if you were to bring in a ring to be adjusted or modified).
Posted by - March 17, 2009 05:59 PM
I hate to sound like a nit picker but this is a fundamental concept people must grasp to appreciate crystals grown in a lab. Machines do not take the place of nature, at least not in the reason crystals form in the first place. Machines create the enviornment in which nature grows the crystal. Each crystal has a pre-ordained atomic structure. These structures are pretty absolute. We understand them but can't invent them! That is why the structure of ice, regardless of where it is grown, are all identical.
Regarding this identification of created diamonds, De Beers has spent about $20 million on research to develope machinery to detect very small anomolies in the carbon structure of diamond, no doubt brought on because natural diamonds have sat in the earth for millions of years. This seems to have cause migration of nitrogen atoms in the natural and this machine "sees" that. Jewelers and gemologists cannot identify with certainty an eye clean created diamond....sorry.
Posted by - March 17, 2009 10:40 PM
Great post - I especially like the metaphor you started with for describing man-made gems. I may have to borrow that sometime. :-)
Posted by - March 18, 2009 10:09 AM
It has become more and more apparent to me that lab created is the way to go...To not only have the ability to wear pieces that are just as beautiful..but to also feel good about it!
Posted by - March 18, 2009 10:29 AM
I have to go with paigiegirl--this is a very interesting product, and will definitely be checking them out.
Posted by - March 18, 2009 01:00 PM
Although I love the idea of lab-grown diamonds, and would not hesitate to purchase one, I have to say that it's the imperfections in nature-made gems that distinguish them from one-another - like two snowflakes, but this is probably more important in colored stones than with "clear" diamonds. I will make a point of looking at some the next time I am in the market for jewelry, as I do really value the fact that they are "greener" than their nature-made counterparts. Great job on the article!
Posted by Nancy Myers - March 18, 2009 04:31 PM
Ultimately, though, what's the energy input for lab diamonds (the building; the lab; the equipment; the energy used to create the diamond) vs. mined diamonds? I'd also like to hear a discussion about how lab-created diamonds affects how we "value" diamonds - their price is, at least in part, a reflection of their scarcity, no? so if we can make them in a lab, wouldn't that affect scarcity thus price thus our perception of value of diamonds?
Posted by Meghan Haupt - March 18, 2009 06:11 PM
Lab-grown diamonds are actually quite rare...especially white. The concept of lab-grown diamonds turning black when subjected to heat isn't true.
Posted by - March 19, 2009 07:20 PM
The value system of diamonds is not based on scarcity...it is based on control. Yes, it is expensive to mine diamonds but not prohibitivly. The average cost of mined diamond rough is $200 per carat...then you add marketing...a lot of marketing. The value system is really a result of cost and profit required. There is no secondary market for "used" diamonds of the bread and butter veriety. See for your self what a jeweler will offer for a diamond for cash, not trade in...
Lab created diamonds are not perfect, far from it. This is another misconception of crystal growth. Yes, man controls the conditions but nature still puts the atoms together...and most times, not very well! Overall, the output of diamond crystal growers is not as "clean" as natural. Look at ice cubes in the refrigerator...not very perfect.