Introducing the 5th ‘C’ of Diamond Quality

If you have started your journey in shopping jewelry or for engagement rings, you undoubtedly have heard of the 4C’s of Diamond Quality. However, with the rise of lab-grown diamonds, a 5th C has emerged: Choice - Lab-Grown vs Mined. 

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Long answer short, YES! In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amended its jewelry guidelines, eliminating the term "natural" from the diamond definition, which means, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. 

“[Lab-created diamonds] are not fakes. They’re not cubic zirconias. They have all the same physical and chemical properties of a mined diamond,” says Stephen ­Morisseau, a spokesman for the Gemological Institute of America, a nonprofit organization that oversees the international diamond grading system.

What are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds replicate the chemical, physical, and optical properties of mined diamonds, yet their origin differs—they are crafted in a controlled lab environment using advanced technology. Both ‘mined’ and lab-grown diamonds share identical chemical and physical attributes, composed of 100% carbon in a high-pressure, high-temperature setting. Various methods, such as High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), are employed to create lab-grown diamonds, showcasing rapid technological progress. Clarifying the intricate creation process becomes essential in dispelling potential misinformation circulating online due to the novelty of this method.

How to care for Lab-Grown Diamonds:

Because mined and lab-grown diamonds share the same structure, they wear similarly over time. This means that with consistent care, your lab-grown diamond can endure for generations, just like a mined diamond. We recommend cleaning your lab-diamond or mined jewelry 1x per week. 

What is the difference between ‘Lab-grown’ and ‘Lab-created’ Diamonds?

There is none! The term can be used interchangeably. Likewise some companies will use the word synthetic, which means chemically the same. 

Why Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds offer enhanced transparency in an industry often shrouded in opacity. Traditional mined diamonds often originate from ethically questionable supply chains, marked by conflict regions, substandard working conditions, meager wages, and human rights violations. Moreover, the extraction process for a single 1-carat diamond involves sifting through 88,000 - 176,000 pounds of earth, contributing to soil erosion, displaced land, deforestation, and ecosystem destruction—all in pursuit of perceived rarity. By seizing control of the production process, a transparent supply chain can be established, minimizing environmental harm and benefiting local communities. While there's ample room for progress, lab-grown diamonds represent a significant step toward a more ethical and eco-friendly alternative to natural diamonds.

Will Lab-Grown Diamonds pass a diamond tester?

Indeed, lab-grown diamonds can successfully undergo testing with a standard diamond tester. These diamonds exhibit chemical and structural similarities to natural diamonds, sharing identical physical, chemical, and optical properties. Diamond testers assess a stone's thermal or electrical conductivity, and lab-grown diamonds possess properties indistinguishable from their natural counterparts. 

For more information on where and how to buy lab-grown diamonds reach out to our team at customer@settejewelry.com