The diamond, consisting of an estimated 99.95 percent carbon, is the only gem composed by one single element. A trace element or several can make up the remaining 0.05 percent. These atoms aren’t a part of a diamond’s essential chemistry, but some of them can impact the shape or color of a diamond.

This mineral is a popular culture fixture, inspiring fragrances such as Emporio Diamonds by Giorgio Armani and Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic White Diamonds perfume. Widely recognized as Earth’s hardest natural material, the diamond is the subject of many classic songs, like ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,’ and movies such as The Pink Panther, the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, and more.

Diamonds are not only forever, but they remain popular, being the central stone in the engagement rings of an estimated 71 percent of people, per a WeddingWire report. People in search of affordable diamond engagement rings that offer beauty and individuality should shop at a reliable diamond source such as Agape Diamonds. Agape Diamonds provides customers with gorgeous, conflict-free lab-grown diamonds, simulated diamonds, and ethically sourced, Earth-mined diamonds with stunning cuts. This trusted company, which provides a certificate of authenticity with each purchase, only sells new jewelry which allows customers to get one-of-a-kind diamond engagement rings, earrings, pendants, tennis bracelets, and loose stones.

Before purchasing diamonds, buyers may have a question: what makes lab diamonds different from natural diamonds?

Lab-Grown Diamonds

The term lab diamonds refers to human-made stones and the process used to create them. Scientists use high-powered technology to make diamonds in a manner that replicates the Earth’s natural process of diamond growth. The lab method creates stones that are identical to and just as hard as natural ones, in some weeks, compared to the natural diamond formation process that occurs over billions of years. Lab diamonds possess the same physical, optical, and chemical aspects of Earth-mined diamonds.

Lab created diamonds tend to cost an estimated 30 percent less than natural diamonds but remain comparable in quality and size. These diamonds are available in the same shapes: Emerald, Round, Oval, Pear, Cushion, Princess, and more.

How Do Scientists Make Diamonds?

Agape Diamonds defines lab-grown diamonds and explains the creation process in detail on their site.

Lab workers can create diamonds using the High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) process and the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. Both processes generate an environment of high temperature and pressure helpful to diamond growth. Growing diamonds in a lab begins with small carbon seeds. In the HPHT process, the carbon seeds go into a mechanical press; the CVD method uses a plasma reactor. The crystals grow per layer under specific heat, gasses, and pressure conditions depending on the process and the technology utilized.

Skilled diamond cutters cut, facet, and polish human-made diamonds before they receive a classification. Just as with Earth-mined diamonds, the stones receive independent analysis and grading by gemologists. Changing the gas mix used in the CVD process, at the end of synthesis, can result in diamonds of different colors.

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds form under conditions that exist an estimated 100 miles below the Earth’s surface: extremely high temperature and pressure. Diamonds have an isometric crystal structure, meaning the carbon atoms have equal dimensions in all directions. The diamond formation process, chemical composition, and crystal structure all play significant parts in making these stones remarkable.

Seeing the Difference With the Naked Eye

Consumers and some jewelers cannot easily differentiate natural diamonds and lab diamonds. Radiation tests and advanced testing with high-powered technology can reveal the purity level of the carbon in these rocks, making natural diamonds distinguishable from those grown in a lab. Patterns created by the HPHT and CVD processes and fluorescent colors can indicate if a stone is lab-grown.

Agape Diamonds is honest about these near-identical diamond types, disclosing to consumers if their diamond is lab-grown or natural. Whether someone prefers natural diamonds to lab-grown ones and vice versa, their choice will be a satisfactory, brilliant, and uniquely cut conflict-free stone.