Everything You Need to Know About Lab Grown Diamonds

Whether water freezes outside or in your freezer, it’s still ice.

It’s the same with diamonds.                                             

With advances in technology, diamond growers can now create lab grown diamonds that are identical in molecular composition and often indistinguishable from mined diamonds—not only to the naked eye, but to many diamond experts.

Many consumers prefer lab grown diamonds because they are conflict-free and more sustainable. Not to mention, as melee, they cost a fraction of the price of a mined diamond and are every bit as beautiful.

 

The Diamond Growing Process

The most common process used for creating diamonds starts with a small “seed” diamond, placed in a microwave reactor with methane and hydrogen gases, and heated to upwards of 1000 degrees Celsius. Atoms begin growing on the “seed” in the exact same crystalline carbon structure of an organic diamond. This process takes about a month to complete. Once grown, the diamonds are then cut and polished to maximize brilliance, clarity, and fire.

A Rapid Leap in Quality

Speaking of lab grown diamonds, David Weinstein, executive director of the International Gemological Institute, told NPR:

“Ten years ago, they were mostly very yellow, or very orangey-yellow. They’ve figured out how to get rid of all that color and go into the white diamond world. The quality has gotten to the point where they’re astonishingly white.”

At Ada Diamonds, a Silicon Valley-based lab grown diamond company, the founders say:

“Ada white diamonds have fewer impurities and defects than Earth-extracted stones, and are in fact 99.999% pure carbon, making them brighter, whiter, and stronger than most mined diamonds.”
(Sue Callaway, “Man Made Diamonds are Now Better Than Mined. Here’s Why,” Fortune.com, September 22, 2016)

The company can also create a rainbow of diamonds of the same quality.

 

The Market Is Booming

Lab grown diamonds seem to only be gaining momentum.

In an interview with NPR, Yarden Tasch of WD Lab Grown Diamonds stated:

“The market is huge. We cannot satisfy the demand. We’re expanding and we still cannot satisfy the demand.”
(Nell Greenfield-Boyce, “Lab Grown Diamonds Come Into Their Own,” NPR.org, December 1, 2016)

While it may take some time for retailers to educate customers on the facts of lab grown diamonds, it’s an effort that can pay dividends. With more options to suit a variety of customer needs, lab grown diamonds have become an increasingly attractive choice for people who want real diamonds that are:

• Ethically made

• Environmentally responsible

• Budget friendly

Quick Facts: Why Lab Grown Diamonds Make Sense

1. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds.
   
   

2. They’re chemically and structurally identical to mined diamonds.
   
   

3. They’re an environmentally and ethically conscious choice.
   
   

4. They’re a smart option for customers on a budget, especially as melee.
   
   

5. They can help increase closing ratios for retail partners by offering flexibility and customization.
   
   

Silk & Co. Offers Lab Grown Diamonds

We offer lab grown diamonds at Silk & Company.

Whether you're sourcing loose melee or designing a custom piece, we provide lab grown diamonds as an option. For custom design quotes, we’re happy to include both lab grown and mined diamond pricing so our retail partners can present more choices to their customers.

 

📩 To inquire about lab grown diamonds or custom jewelry quotes, contact us at orders@silkdesignco.com or call 435.227.5119.