LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
ETHICALLY & SUSTAINABLY CREATED
WHAT ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS?
Lab diamonds have the same look, sparkling brilliance, feel and carbon structure as natural diamonds.
They are created under laboratory conditions to replicate and accelerate the formation process of their earth grown counterparts.
They should not be confused with diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia or moissanite.
"Premier quality lab grown diamonds are difficult to grow and are rare. Just as with mined diamonds there are high and low quality lab diamonds."
Pobjoy Diamonds only supply high grade lab grown diamonds that comply with the same quality filtering processes we apply in selecting mined diamonds. They are also either IGI or GIA graded and certified.
"[Lab] diamonds have essentially all of the same chemical, optical and physical properties and crystal structure as natural diamonds."
Lab grown diamonds are now becoming a popular alternative for many people, since they can have the same beauty and properties as a mined diamond and are often more affordable. GIA
"It is difficult to grow high quality laboratory diamonds. The cost of cutting and polishing a lab grown and a mined diamond are the same."
Lab grown diamond production involves high cost sophisticated equipment and skilled specialists. The colour and clarity of a rough lab diamond is unpredictable and varies in the same way as an earth created diamond.
DO THEY LOOK THE SAME AS MINED DIAMONDS?
A lab grown and natural mined diamond of the same grade and specification look identical, even under ten times magnification.
In fact, not even experienced trained gemologists can tell them apart.
ARE THEY BETTER VALUE?
Lab diamonds are significantly lower priced than comparable mined diamonds, especially in the case of high grade larger carat weights.
In fact, a one carat triple excellent cut lab diamond costs approximtaely 20% of the price of a similar mined diamond.
HOW ARE THEY CERTIFIED?
Pobjoy lab diamonds are all certified by either the IGI or GIA in exactly the same way as natural mined diamonds.
Each of our independently certified lab grown diamonds includes the certificate number nano inscribed on the girdle (the outside edge) of the diamond. This inscription cannot be seen with the naked eye.
WILL THEY INCREASE IN VALUE?
Global demand for jewellery grade, high specification lab diamonds has increased substantially over the past five years, while supply has struggled to keep pace.
This increase in demand is accelerating exponentially. And with production still representing just 10% of mined diamond output annually (2021), industry experts predict substantial demand growth for ethical diamonds for years to come.
The most notable trend emerging from 2022 has been an increase in the availability of extremely high grade stones. This is a function of advances in lab growing processes and expertise.
While there is some evidence to suggest that a mined diamond retains more of it's value in percentage terms than a lab created diamond, the initial purchase price of a natural mined diamond is signficantly higher.
In the case of high street stores, the substantial price mark-up typically applied to natural diamonds requires that the market value of those same diamonds appreciate significantly over time, for the consumer to recoup his or her initial cost of purchase.
And despite claims to the contrary, from our experience there is a healthy resale market for premium grade, IGI certified lab diamonds just as there is for natural diamonds.
In any case, we do not recommend buying either type of diamond in anticipation of them rising in price.
The focus should be on finding the very best diamond available within your budget and which you truly love.
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
Insuring your ethically created diamond ring involves the same process as a mined diamond. If you need assistance with providing information to your chosen insurer we are here to assist you.
Your insurer will probably want to see a copy of the purchase details and the relevant independent certification. If you misplace these we can provide copies free of charge. Just email contact@pobjoydiamonds.com.
THE TWO LAB GROWING METHODS
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) Method
The HPHT method is the original method of creating lab grown diamonds. Gem quality HPHT diamonds were introduced in the 1950s.
To grow an HPHT diamond, a small diamond seed is placed in carbon, the element that diamonds are made of. The diamond seed is exposed to extreme heat and pressure, replicating the way diamonds are naturally grown underground by the earth.
Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) Method
The CVD method was created in the 1980s. The CVD method imitates how diamonds form in interstellar gas clouds. The CVD method uses less pressure than the HPHT method as well as smaller machines.
The CVD method places a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber. This chamber becomes filled with carbon rich gases and is heated to nearly 1500 degrees fahrenheit. The gas turns into plasma from these extremely high temperatures, causing the release of carbon pieces which become layered onto the diamond seed.
Nowadays, both growing techniques can produce a colourless and flawless diamond, with no difference aside from the creation process used.
