The rise of affordable luxury in Australia has seen dramatic demand for lab grown diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are comparative to natural diamonds in their mineral composition, durability and sparkle, but are made-made in a laboratory rather than earth mined. These innovative labs have engineered a process to mimic nature’s process in a shorter and more accessible way. At Fairfax & Roberts, our global network of suppliers provide us with the best quality diamonds – both natural and lab grown – to meet your requirements and budget with unsurpassable quality to create engagement rings and jewellery.
Lab Grown Diamonds Explained
Laboratory grown diamonds (also known as laboratory created diamonds or lab grown/created diamonds), are diamonds made in high-tech laboratories and are grown from a thin slice of natural diamond. They are made in chambers that replicate the Earth’s conditions and mimic the heat and pressure that carbon natural diamonds are exposed to underground.
This environment ensures they are chemically, physically and optically close to natural diamonds and possess the same characteristics including hardness, mineral composition, brilliance and sparkle. It is important to remember, lab grown diamonds are not considered ‘fake’ diamonds. They vary from the common diamond simulants like cubic zirconia, which are made from synthetic materials and don’t possess the same diamond qualities.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds
In short, yes, lab grown diamonds are considered as diamonds according to the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA). Their chemical composition, structure, physical and optical properties are comparable to natural diamonds. In fact, lab grown diamonds are almost indistinguishable to natural diamonds and specialised equipment and testing by trained jewellers or gemmologists will identify the difference.
The only accepted difference is the environment and time it takes for the diamonds to form:
- Natural Diamonds are created over millions of years deep within the Earth surface.
- Lab Growth Diamonds are created in a controlled laboratory that replicates the conditions within the Earth’s surface enabling them to form in less time.
Discover our collection of lab grown diamond engagement rings and lab grown diamond jewellery.
How are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
Creating lab grown diamonds is achieved by replicating the same environmental conditions natural diamond. This involves intense heat, pressure and carbon over a short period of time. The methods used by the laboratories includes: High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD).
- High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) – extreme heat and pressure is applied to a small diamond slice to mimic the Earth’s conditions. Over time, carbon atoms form around the slice/seed creating a larger crystal.
- Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) – a diamond slice/seed is placed into a chamber where carbon gas is released and heated until it starts to form layers over the slice/seed creating a diamond crystal.
Lab Grown vs. Moissanite: What's the Difference?
Lab grown diamond and moissanite may look similar but vary greatly. Lab grown diamonds are a close replica of a natural diamond, whereas moissanite is comprised of completely different minerals. Natural moissanite is formed within meteorites, and was originally only found in strike zones, later small deposits were discovered in the earth’s upper mantel, but today it is commercially made in laboratories for use the jewellery industry. Comprised of silicon carbide, moissanite has a rating on the Mohs scale of 9.5 hardness and displays an attractive rainbow scintillation that is easy to identify against a lab grown diamond’s bright white sparkle.
Moissanite is generally suggested as a budget-friendly diamond alternative. At Fairfax & Roberts, we only use natural, high-quality gemstones and real diamonds.
Are All Lab Grown Diamonds Flawless?
No, lab grown diamonds are not all flawless and are formed in various colour, clarity, carat and quality options. They are graded using the same standards and grading scale as natural diamonds and larger stones are lab certified.
Contrary to popular myths, lab grown diamonds are not manufactured to be flawless. They are individually formed causing variations between them which is what makes each diamond unique.
Every diamond and gemstone at Fairfax & Roberts have been rigorously assessed to ensure it meets our exacting standards for engagement rings and fine jewellery.
Are All Lab Grown Diamonds the Same?
All lab diamonds are created differently and are graded based on the same 4Cs standards as natural diamonds.
- Cut: the diamonds shape and facts which impact its brilliance.
- Colour: variation of colour within a diamond. Colourless being the most valuable.
- Clarity: number of inclusions and how visible they are to the naked eye.
- Carat: the weight and size of the diamond.
Ultimately, the jewellery design and craftsmanship will impact how the diamond will look when set in jewellery. The quality and characteristics of each diamond should be assessed when designing or purchasing a lab grown diamond piece.
Why Choose a Lab Grown Diamond from Fairfax & Roberts?
Choosing a lab grown diamond from Fairfax & Roberts ensures you receive a quality diamond with the guidance of experienced professionals. Each diamond is hand selected to meet our exacting standards, and our custom design service enables a bespoke creation design to meet specific creative and budget requests. Be inspired and explore our collection of lab grown diamond engagement ring and lab grown diamond jewellery.
