Lab grown diamonds are an increasingly popular choice for ethical jewellery shoppers. They offer many of the same properties as mined diamonds without any environmental or social risks associated with mining operations; this makes them perfect for those seeking to reduce their ecological footprint and ensure their diamond purchases are ethically sourced. As the name implies, lab grown diamonds are created in a laboratory setting using advanced technology. Two main methods are used to produce these man-made stones: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high-pressure/high-temperature synthesis (HPHT). In both processes, carbon atoms form into crystalline structures that resemble natural gemstones when cooled down rapidly - but they’re grown under controlled conditions rather than extracted from deep within the earth’s crust like traditional gems.

When creating CVD diamonds, a very thin slice of the diamond is put inside a chamber subjected to carbon-rich gas and very high temperatures. After a few weeks, the carbon gas ionizes, and the diamond particles attach themselves to the original diamond slice. Eventually, the diamond begins to crystallize into its finished shape.

The high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method involves compressing pure carbon inside a metal cube and subjecting it to extreme levels of both heat and pressure using electric pulses. In due time, the carbon will deteriorate and turn into a diamond after crystallization. Any metal traces that may exist inside an HPHT diamond will be very tiny and, in most cases, invisible to the naked eye.

Grading labs such as GIA and IGI apply the same rigorous standards to evaluating and grading lab grown diamonds as they do to assessing and grading natural diamonds. This indicates that you can restrict your diamond search according to the conventional cut, color, and clarity criteria. As a result, you will be able to select a lab diamond that is just as stunning as a high quality natural diamond.