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CVD Lab Grown Diamonds: What Are They?

Diamonds created in a lab using chemical vapor deposition are often called CVD lab-grown diamonds. High-pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) is another popular method for creating lab-grown diamonds, although this one is different.

 

Even though they are man-made, chemically altered diamonds (CVDs) look and feel much like real diamonds. Indeed, specialized tools are required to differentiate between CVD lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds.

 

Lab diamonds, especially those created using CVD diamonds or HPHT, are quickly becoming popular as an option for engagement rings and other pieces of jewelry. With the growing demand for chemical vapor deposition diamonds, gemmologists have become experts in finding the most affordable and stunning lab grown CVD diamond.


Characteristics of a CVD Lab Grown Diamond

The internal structure, chemical composition, and physical, glossy beauty of CVD lab diamonds are identical to those of natural diamonds, and the diamonds themselves are also physically beautiful. Intense brightness, glitter, and exceptional durability (they reach ten on the Mohs scale) are hallmarks of CVD synthetic diamonds, just like natural diamonds.

 

Although it is technically impossible to distinguish between a lab-grown CVD diamond and a natural diamond of equal grade, it is important to note that lab grown diamonds CVD often exhibit less desirable characteristics, such as brownish tints and internal graining. Because of this, post-growth therapy is usually necessary. When comparing HPHT lab-created diamonds to CVD synthetic diamonds, you'll see that the former usually has better quality.

 

The four Cs—carat weight, cut, color, and clarity—are used to evaluate chemical vapor deposition diamonds in the same way that they do natural diamonds. Despite their man-made nature, CVD process diamonds may acquire internal imperfections and color tints throughout their growth, much like actual diamonds. Similar to natural diamonds, CVD lab created diamonds may range from completely colorless to extensively included and badly colored, with just the tiniest of flaws showing. Finding a flawless CVD lab diamonds is an extreme rarity. If you're looking for a high-quality diamond that offers good value, a good place to start is with clarity ratings between SI1 and VS1 and color grades between D and F.

 

Only some of the most seasoned gemologists can distinguish between natural and lab grown CVD diamond. The reason is, chemically, physically, optically, and imperfection-wise, CVD lab grown diamonds are diamonds.  Aside from this, identifying the diamond as synthetic would need specialized laboratory apparatus.


CVD Lab Grown Diamond

CVD Diamond Making Process

Lab-created diamonds are made of a "chemical vapor deposition" system. The method uses an initial diamond "seed," a tiny piece of naturally occurring diamond that can withstand very high and very low pressure. Thus, while creating lab diamonds, it is essential to use the strongest and highest-quality (color and clarity) natural diamond bit.

 

The process begins with the careful selection and meticulous cleaning of a "diamond seed," a small sliver of diamond measuring 10x10mm and around 300 microns thick. In order to avoid inclusions and flaws, the diamond seed must be free of impurities and trace elements. Usually, this diamond slice is extracted from a high-quality diamond cut using HPHT.

 

The CVD grown diamonds technique involves heating a vacuum chamber to temperatures far over 1,000 degrees, filling it with gasses rich in carbon, and then placing the diamond "seed" within. The gasses are transformed into "plasma" by the extreme heat. In case you were wondering, plasma helps "build" the diamonds' layers, turning them into the beautiful jewels we all know and adore.

 

Chemical vapor deposition diamonds generation is an efficient and relatively fast method that relies on a highly specialized scientific procedure refined over many decades to create high-quality diamonds. The scientific process known as chemical vapor deposition may manufacture a variety of solid minerals, including diamonds, in as little as two to four weeks. This method is most often used in the semiconductor sector.

 

Intense heat causes the carbon-rich gas to ionize, which means its molecular bonds dissolve and land on the preexisting diamond seed. As more gas ions bind to the preexisting diamond, the link between the diamond seed and the pure carbon molecules becomes stronger. The ultimate result of this crystallization process is a completely formed, rough diamond.

 

Graininess, patchy inclusions, and brown tints are some less desirable characteristics that may result from the rapid growth process of CVD synthetic diamond. This is something that a post-growth HPHT therapy may fix or eliminate. Although this may produce milkiness, it enhances the diamond's overall appearance. Therefore, finding a lab grown CVD diamond free of post-growth treatment is your best bet. The diamond's certification will reflect this.

 

Following its formation, a CVD synthetic diamond follows a process similar to a natural diamond: it is expertly cut to the desired shape and polished until it sparkles and shines the brightest. Dealers in diamond jewelry will exchange the stones after they have been evaluated and certified by independent labs such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).


Identifying a Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamond 

They are indistinguishable, making it only possible to distinguish a CVD diamond from a natural diamond with specialized lab equipment and jewelry expertise. You won't see a difference between two CVD lab grown diamonds of the same grade, but there is a wide variety of quality and grade available, just as there is with natural diamonds. People interested in purchasing CVD process diamonds but worried that they could seem artificial or unnatural would be relieved to hear this.

 

Under some conditions, such as extreme magnification, distinct strain patterns may be visible in lab grown diamonds CVD compared to their naturally occurring counterparts. Even the most accomplished gemologists would have a hard time telling the two apart without specialized training in gemology.

 

Diamond labs have equipment that detects minute trace components, such as silicone, that might be taken up during CVD lab diamond formation. This allows them to determine whether a diamond is CVD generated or not. Due to the specialized expertise and equipment required, submitting your diamond to a laboratory such as GIA would be necessary.

 

Be sure the chemical vapor deposition diamonds you purchase has the GIA or IGI certification. The certificate that comes with the diamonds will specify whether they are mined or lab-created using CVD or HPHT and, most importantly, whether the diamond has needed any kind of post-growth treatment to bring its sparkle back. Do not purchase a diamond if it has undergone any post-growth treatments.


CVD diamonds for sale

CVD Diamonds Cost

A wholesale CVD diamond may cost much less than an untreated diamond. This is because CVD synthetic diamonds are synthesized in a lab using a very efficient procedure that usually does not take more than a month. On the other hand, natural diamonds take thousands of years to create, and mining corporations are required to spend a fortune on site acquisition, excavation, mine construction, and the employment of a big staff. Even though CVD diamonds for sale are more costly than mined diamonds, the process is efficient and requires specialized (and expensive) gear and a highly trained crew.


CVD vs. HPHT vs. Natural Diamond

Although diamonds created in a lab and diamonds found in a mine are quite different, the two types of diamonds are equally genuine. These diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically indistinguishable from one another.

 

One major distinction between lab-created diamonds and diamonds found in nature is the regulated environment in which the latter are made. Experts also speed up and monitor the diamond formation process. Scientists use chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as one of their methods for growing diamonds from seed. While chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the method used to generate diamonds, high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) is the technique used to create diamonds.

 

The high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method uses an alternative to gas by simulating the millions of years it takes for diamonds to form in the earth's interior, where extreme heat and pressure produce the gems. Although more energy is required, high-pressure hydrogenation (HPHT) diamonds take just a few weeks to create, much like lab grown CVD diamond. In comparison to CVD grown diamonds, HPHT diamonds are usually of higher grade and need less post-growth treatment, according to experts.

 

Raw CVD process diamonds vary greatly from HPHT diamonds in how they are created. A CVD process diamond's growth pattern is cubic, but that of an HPHT diamond is cuboctahedron. However, the distinction can only be seen by a highly skilled specialist.

 

You may also notice that some laboratories use the less energy-intensive CVD technique first and then HPHT to finish the diamonds. High-pressure hydrogenation (HPHT) may enhance a diamond's color and purity. Still, both chemically and physically, as well as visually, they are indistinguishable from natural diamonds.


Conclusion

Whether you choose diamonds grown in laboratories or ones that are naturally occurring is a matter of taste. A genuine diamond, formed over billions of years, is a marvel of nature, while synthetic CVD lab created diamonds or HPHT diamonds are cheaper, guaranteed ethical, and less environmentally sustainable.

 

Messi Jewelry can show you a variety of wholesale lab grown diamonds that fit your budget and personal tastes so you can make an informed purchase. Visit our website to get CVD diamond price list!

 


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