Diamond seeds are placed in a chamber filled with hydrocarbon gases and then ionised into plasma, depositing carbon on the diamond seed.
Diamonds form in interstellar gas clouds, similar to how they do naturally on Earth. This process is less energy-intensive and produces Lab grown diamonds cvd at a competitive price point.
The Process
Producing a lab-grown diamond is similar to creating natural ones, though there are some key distinctions. Both processes produce stunning, natural-looking stones but the end results may vary depending on the quality of the process used.
In the cvd vs hpht process, a small diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber heated to extreme temperatures and pressures. As these seeds absorb carbon-rich gases, they begin to break away from each other and form diamonds.
CVD, on the other hand, uses low pressure to place varying amounts of hydrogen and hydrocarbon gases inside a chamber. As these breakdown into plasma, they attract carbon atoms to form diamond seeds.
This method is more popular than HPHT, though more costly. The end result is a diamond with greater value – especially rare type 2A diamonds with perfect molecular structure and low nitrogen content. This process works best for these type of gems.
The Materials
When it comes to laboratory grown diamonds, two methods are used – HPHT and CVD. Both processes produce gems that look remarkably like natural ones.
Both processes begin with a small diamond seed that is immersed in carbon and exposed to heat and pressure. The heat and pressure melt the pure carbon, allowing it to grow into an impressive diamond.
In the CVD method, a thin slice of diamond seed is placed into an enclosed chamber and heated to approximately 800 degrees Celsius. After that, it’s filled with carbon-rich gases such as methane and other chemicals for chemical reaction.
The gas is then ionised into plasma, breaking down its molecular bonds and allowing it to stick to the diamond seed. This growth process creates layers of crystals around the seed in a diamond.
The Technology
CVD (Cold Vapour Deposition) is a process used to produce lab-grown diamonds. This involves exposing a diamond seed to carbon-rich gases that are ionised, causing carbon deposits on its surface and eventually growing it into an exquisite gemstone.
The CVD process is relatively new, but it has proven to be much more efficient at creating diamonds than previous methods such as High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Before CVD, labs used the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) approach for growing diamonds.
Both processes can produce real diamonds that are optically, chemically and physically identical to earth-grown gems.
However, diamonds created through CVD have lower quality than those created through HPHT due to impurities that may affect their appearance and grading.
CVD diamonds can be more cost-effective than natural diamonds, making them an attractive option for those seeking a diamond but with limited funds.
The Cost
When shopping for a diamond ring, cost is an important factor to take into account. Prices can range significantly depending on the size and quality of the stone.
For instance, the cost of a natural mined diamond is quite high since it requires mining and transporting from the ground. Furthermore, there’s an extensive supply chain that involves cutters, wholesalers and jewellery fabricators.
If you’re willing to look for a lower cost alternative, lab grown diamonds have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and chemical similarity to natural diamonds. As such, they can be cut and polished just like their natural counterparts for the same look and feel.
Conclusion
However, lab grown diamonds come with some drawbacks. First and foremost, they’re produced in countries that use fossil fuel to generate the electricity necessary for growth – this has an adverse impact on both the environment and production costs.
