
How Diamonds Are Made: The Difference Between Lab-Grown and Mined Diamonds
Diamonds are revered because of their brilliance, beauty and symbolic value. When they are, they are featured in a wedding band, heirloom jewellery, or in a custom-designed piece; diamonds are a symbol of deep significance. However, despite their popularity, many still ask: How are diamonds made?
We’ll go over how diamonds are created, what diamonds consist of and the major distinctions between lab-grown and natural diamonds.
What Are Diamonds?
Based on the Federal Trade Commission, a diamond is “a mineral consisting of pure carbon crystallized in an isometric system.” Natural (mined) or lab-grown diamonds meet this definition and are physically, chemically and optically alike. No matter where they come from, diamonds are diamonds.
What Are Diamonds Made Of?
Then, what are diamonds composed of? In essence: carbon. Under the right circumstances – extreme temperatures and pressure – carbon atoms join to form a crystallized lattice. This atomic structure provides diamonds with their incredible hardness and iconic sparkle.
Are Diamonds made from coal?
The most common misconception is that diamonds are made of coal. Although diamonds and coal can both be carbon-based in their origin, diamonds don’t originate from coal. Coal is derived from plant matter that is near the surface of the Earth, while diamonds originate deep in the mantle of the Earth. They have the same chemical element; however, coal and diamonds are not related in their origins.
How Are Diamonds Formed Step by Step
To fully comprehend how diamonds are created, it is important to realize that both lab-grown and mined diamonds go through the same fundamental transformation process: carbon pressure and heat crystallizes into diamond.
Natural Diamond Formation:
- Carbon atoms bond when exposed to extreme pressure and temperature deep inside the Earth (90-120 miles below the surface).
- The bonded atoms develop into crystals, which form rough diamonds.
- The volcanic eruptions transport these diamonds towards the Earth’s surface through kimberlite pipes, which are volcanic channels named after the rock that covers them.
- As time passes, diamonds are extracted from these deposits, cut, polished and then graded.
The majority of diamonds mined were believed to have been formed between 1 to 3 billion years in the past. The eruptions that caused volcanic activity, which brought them to the surface, took place many tens of millions of years later. This is the reason diamonds are among the most ancient natural substances on Earth.
How Long Does It Take a Diamond to Form?
The process of making natural diamonds may take millions or even billions. Since the process doesn’t happen continuously, it’s difficult to establish an exact timeframe. Certain diamonds can form rapidly (in the sense of geological terms), and others may require years. The only certain thing is that the forces required to make the diamond are massive and are rare in the natural world.
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made: Step by Step
Lab-grown diamonds use the same process of formation as natural diamonds: carbon atoms form bonds at high temperatures and pressure, but under controlled lab conditions. This process can take only some weeks, not many millions of years.
There are two principal methods to create diamonds in laboratories:
The HPHT Method: High Pressure, High Temperature
This technique mimics the natural process of formation.
- A tiny diamond seed is inserted into carbon in its purest form.
- The equipment is exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure in an insulated chamber.
- The carbon melts and starts to join with the seed, creating an emerald-like diamond that spans 14 directions.
- After about one month, a rough diamond with a cuboctahedron shape is created.
The CVD Method: Chemical Vapour Deposition
This innovative technique utilizes the carbon-rich gas in combination with plasma to create diamonds.
- Diamond slices are cleaned before being put in a sealed vacuum chamber.
- The carbon-heavy gas gets introduced and heated to extremely high temperatures.
- It breaks apart and carbon atoms start to be deposited on diamond seeds.
- Over the course of several weeks, molecules stack vertically, transforming into a diamond shape.
Each of the HPHT as well as CVD methods produces rough diamonds which are cut, polished and graded. Each method has its advantages; however, CVD is usually preferred due to its effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
The Difference Between Lab-Grown and Mined Diamonds
The only difference between mined and lab-grown diamonds is the source. Diamonds mined originate from beneath the surface of the Earth, while lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab.
Since lab-grown diamonds are produced under carefully controlled environments, they are of an established and traceable source, which is an important distinction in terms of ecological and ethical transparency.
Why Is Diamond Mining Not Sustainable?
Diamond mining can be environmentally damaging and ethically complicated. It can contribute to:
- Habitat loss and deforestation
- Water pollution and erosion of soils
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Unsafe working conditions
Additionally, the sale of “conflict diamonds” or “blood diamonds”-illegally mined stones that are used to finance armed conflicts remains an issue. Although efforts have been made to regulate the diamond industry, it is difficult to determine the source of a diamond mined and its ethical background.
Mined Diamonds Vs. Diamonds grown in labs Diamonds Price
Natural diamonds are generally priced more than diamonds that are lab-grown. The reason for this is a variety of factors, such as:
- Rare and limited supply
- Resource and labour costs are extremely high.
- Market pricing is influenced by a few major industry players.
Lab-grown diamonds are the most affordable option, without sacrificing quality. Since they’re produced in labs and evade the traditional chain of supply, they are less expensive and have greater transparency.
At Nature Sparkle, our pricing is based on the actual worth of diamonds, without excessive markups or hidden costs.
How Are Nature Sparkle Diamonds Made?
The diamonds we grow in our lab are created using our CVD method, a technique selected for its accuracy and long-term sustainability.
- Diamond seeds are inserted into the plasma reactor.
- Carbon atoms derived from the gas environment start to crystallize and stack.
- After a couple of weeks, the rough diamond appears and is subsequently harvested.
- The seed that was originally used is reused to start a new diamond.
- It is polished, cut by expert craftsmen and then graded by expert gemologists.
This technique ensures the least environmental impact as well as total transparency.
Why You Should Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds
The future is lab-grown diamond jewelry, primarily for ethical, environmental as well and economic considerations. When you purchase a diamond that has been grown in a lab with Nature Sparkle, it’s selecting:
- A diamond that is chemically identical to mined stones
- An unambiguous, conflict-free and traceable source
- An alternative that is sustainable to traditional mining methods.
- The price is lower for the same (or higher) appearance and high quality.
With our exclusive designs and carefully selected collections, Nature Sparkle offers guilt-free sparkles you’ll be proud of and give away.
Find Your Diamond with Nature Sparkle
Once you understand the process of making diamonds, you can pick your diamond with confidence and clarity. Here at Nature Sparkle, we offer the best of both worlds: lab and natural diamonds, always perfectly cut, ethically sourced and made to sparkle.
If you’re looking to purchase your engagement rings, updating the heirloom jewelry you have, or creating an original design, Let us assist you to select the perfect diamond that best reflects the values you hold and the vision you have.