New Man-Made Diamond Creation Technology
Currently, Man Made Diamonds are produced in the laboratory using very specialized technology. Diamonds formed in this process are called synthetic diamonds because they are composed of materials that are the same as natural diamonds. These lab-made diamonds have physical properties such as hardness, transparency, thermal conductivity, and high electrical carrier mobility, which make them as valuable as mined diamonds of the earth’s crust in the global market.
What are the methods of creating Man Made Diamonds?
The process used in producing man-made diamonds replicates the natural process of creating mined diamonds. Diamonds produced in the laboratory use advanced cutting-edge technology that places pure carbon under natural conditions (high temperature and pressure crushing) for diamond crystallization. Scientists use two types of methods to grow synthetic diamonds.
- HPHT - HPHT, or High Pressure and High Temperature, was the first-ever lab-grown process developed in the 1950s. In this process, a diamond seed is placed into pure carbon and subjected to intense heat and pressure. The optical properties of HPHT diamonds appear very close to real mined diamonds and are suitable for color-grade enhancement treatment.
- CVD - In the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method, a small diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gases due to immense temperature. These gases turn into plasma using technology to break down the molecular bond of the gas, and as a result, carbon sticks to the diamond seed until a new diamond forms.
Although synthetic diamonds may seem close to natural diamonds, their properties may differ in various ways. For example, HPHT Diamonds are often regarded as superior to CVD Diamonds since they are made under controlled circumstances. Moreover, HPHT Diamonds grow in 14 different directions, whereas CVD Diamonds grow in just one direction, impacting their ability to deflect light.
Unlike natural diamonds mined underground through alluvial pipes, man-made diamonds require abrasive techniques inside a machine to form a diamond crystal. The most used machine for developing lab grown diamonds is HPHT Cubic Press. This manufacturing machine has design precision in which six top hammers are arranged symmetrically, and the three axes intersect at one point. Another diamond manufacturing machine, BARD Press, uses six inner anvils and eight spherical outer anvils to generate hydraulic pressure.
What are the benefits of Man-Made Diamonds?
While the word ‘synthetic’ may diminish your attraction towards synthetic diamonds, the fact is that they are sumptuous and very much suitable for ornamental use. So let’s look into the three benefits of having synthetic diamonds.
- Improved Quality - Generally, synthetic diamonds appear brighter than natural diamonds. These diamonds are Clean Diamonds that are better than natural diamonds as they are made under regulated conditions without having any impurities.
- Environmentally friendly- Natural diamonds are found on the earth’s surface, so diamond mining involves drilling, which can have a bad environmental impact. Synthetic diamonds are made in the laboratory just like the natural method of forming diamond crystals, but without depleting soil layers.
- Less expensive- Even though synthetic diamonds might not be as valuable as real diamonds, they hold a bigger value when their appearance is compared with natural diamonds, and people can pretty much afford them.
How are Man Made Diamonds certified and graded?
Since Man Made Diamonds have almost the exact physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, they are certified by the renowned institute, the IGI (International Gemological Institute), which also certifies natural diamonds. Furthermore, IGI analyzes the quality of the Lab created diamonds and reports based on evaluation for the certification.
How do you choose a good lab-grown diamond?
The rising popularity of Man-Made diamonds has to definitely do with the selling price of diamonds. A synthetic diamond may cost 40% less than earth-mined diamonds, making it easier for consumers to purchase. Many companies are coming out with diamonds in the market but choosing the right diamond only depends on us. It’s important to research the brand or company of the diamond you wish to purchase. Be sure to receive a grading report from the institute that grades naturally mined diamonds.
- Jewelry: New World Diamonds