Laboratory-grown diamonds (CVD Diamonds)
Lab-grown diamonds (CVD Diamonds) are an innovative alternative to natural diamonds, offering top quality, ethical sourcing, and sustainability. They are 100% authentic, with chemical, physical, and optical properties identical to those of natural diamonds.
What are CVD Diamonds?
CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition and refers to the process of creating diamonds in a laboratory through the deposition of chemical vapors.
In this process:
- A small diamond “seed” is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases.
- Under high temperature conditions (approximately 800°C), the gases break down and begin to form layers of carbon, thus creating a diamond.
CVD technology has evolved rapidly, enabling the creation of high-quality diamonds faster and with less environmental impact than mining natural diamonds.
Properties of CVD Diamonds
CVD diamonds have the same characteristics and structure as natural diamonds, such as:
- Hardness: Rated 10 on the Mohs scale, making them extremely durable.
- Classification: Graded based on the 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat).
- Certification: Each CVD diamond comes with a GIA or IGI certificate stating its origin (natural or laboratory-grown).
Even top gemologists cannot distinguish a CVD diamond from a natural diamond without specialized equipment.
How long does it take to create a CVD diamond?
The creation of a CVD diamond depends on the size and technologies used. For example, a 1-carat diamond may take approximately one month to complete.
How can you recognize a CVD diamond?
It is practically impossible to distinguish a CVD diamond from a natural diamond without the use of specialized gemological tools. For this reason, it is important to only purchase CVD diamonds with GIA or IGI certification, which describes the method used to create the diamond.
Why choose lab-grown diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are gaining more and more supporters due to the following advantages:
- Ethical Origin:
They are not associated with mining, ensuring that they are “conflict-free.” - Sustainability:
Their environmental footprint is significantly smaller than that of natural diamonds. - Economy:
They are more affordable, offering excellent value for money. - Quality:
High standards in cut, clarity, and color.
CVD vs Natural Diamonds – Which to Choose?
The choice between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond is a personal one. If you want a more affordable, sustainable, and ethical option, CVD diamonds are ideal.
Compare side by side:
At our store, you can see and compare CVD and natural diamonds to find the one that best suits your needs and budget. We are here to guide you in making the right choice.
Come to our store to discover our collection of lab-grown and natural diamonds. Together we will find the perfect diamond for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between laboratory-grown and natural diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical composition, hardness, and brilliance as natural diamonds, but are created in a controlled environment using technology such as CVD or HPHT.
2. Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. These are 100% authentic diamonds, not imitations or synthetic materials such as zircon.
3. Are lab-grown diamonds certified?
Of course. At Gatsos Jewellery, diamonds are accompanied by certificates of authenticity from reputable institutions such as the IGI or the GIA.
4. Can one distinguish a CVD diamond from a natural one?
Not with the human eye. Even expert gemologists need special equipment to determine this.
5. Why choose a lab-grown diamond?
It is more economical, environmentally friendly, and free from ethical mining issues.