Lab Created Diamonds
And
Synthetic Diamond Rings

And if you have any questions about lab created diamonds, or you would like to send in comments, reviews or pics of your stunning synthetic diamond ring, just use the handy comment box at the end of the page!

Synthetic vs Simulant Diamonds

There is a distinct difference between synthetic and simulant diamonds:

Simulant diamonds look like real diamonds but have different physical properties than natural diamonds. Examples of simulant diamonds include cubic zirconia, moissanite and white sapphire.

Synthetic diamonds have the exact same physical and molecular properties as natural diamonds - the only difference between lab diamonds and natural diamonds is that they were created in a lab. Examples of synthetic diamonds include HPHT diamonds and CVD diamonds, and synthetic diamonds always come with a micro-laser identification number invisible to the naked eye plus they come with diamond certification reports from reputable companies just like natural diamonds.

Unfortunately, even though there is a clear difference between simulants and synthetics - simulants are sometimes sold as synthetics. If you are searching for a real synthetic lab created diamond, use the shopping tips and recommendations below to make sure the diamonds are true synthetics.

How Synthetic Lab Created Diamonds Are Made

Laboratory created synthetic diamonds are made through two methods: HPHT and CVD.

HPHT

High-Pressure High-Temperature synthesis is the most common method which is used to manufacture lab created diamonds because it is more affordable than CVD. The process mimics the natural conditions which result in natural diamond formation – and uses a small synthetic diamond ‘seed’ coupled with a carbon source to create colorless and fancy color diamond synthetics.

CVD

Chemical Vapor Deposition synthesis creates lab grown diamonds from a hydrocarbon gas source. During this process, the carbon rich gas is fed into a chamber and then exposed to increased temperatures and a power source (like a microwave, laser or electronic beam) that forces the carbon particles to align into a crystalline diamond structure. CVD can be used to grow diamonds used in synthetic diamond rings, but it is used more often for technological purposes – like creating diamond tipped lasers and tools.

HPHT and CVD produce the same type and same quality of synthetic diamonds – and just like real diamonds, HPHT and CVD diamonds must be cut and polished once they are produced.

Synthetic Lab Created Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds

How do synthetic lab grown diamonds compare to real diamonds – they are virtually one and the same. Here is a table comparing HPHT and CVD diamonds to real diamonds. (If you would like to see how synthetic diamonds compare to diamond simulants, check out the table on our man-made diamonds page).

	Hardness	No Flaws	Refractive Index	Optical Properties	Weight
Diamonds	10.0	Rare	2.4	Same	Same
HPHT Synthetic	10.0	Nearly	2.4	Same	Same
CVD Synthetic	10.0	Nearly	2.4	Same	Same

The only difference between natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds are that synthetic diamonds contain practically no flaws - which is exceedingly rare in natural diamonds. Colorless synthetic diamonds are virtually colorless too with very little to no color tint, which is also an extremely rare quality in natural diamonds.

HPHT and CVD diamonds can also be harder than even real diamonds because they are almost completely flawless. The imperfections in real diamonds, outer and inner imperfections known as blemishes and inclusions, can have a minute impact on the hardness of the stones. And a natural diamond with a poor clarity rating can have increased risks for breaking and chipping. But as HPHT and CVD diamonds are often produced with very little amounts of inclusions or blemishes, their higher clarity equals to improved strength and durability.

Pros of Synthetic Lab Created Diamonds

Synthetic lab created diamonds have a ton of pros, and the two top pros of these types of diamonds are that they are environmentally friendly and extremely durable. Other pros include:

• Availability. In addition to colorless (white) diamonds, fancy colored synthetic diamonds are available in a huge variety of colors including canary yellow, orange, cognac, green, blue, pink and red. Natural fancy colored diamonds are quite rare and extremely expensive - unlike their synthetic counterparts.
  
  
• Styles. Synthetic diamonds are also available in a large selection of cuts and shapes, and it is possible to buy synthetic diamonds already fashioned into synthetic diamond rings. Available carat sizes have also increased dramatically in the past few years.
  
  
• 100% Conflict Free: Synthetic diamonds are 100% conflict free! It is estimated that up to 15% of the diamonds sold today could be considered 'blood diamonds' - selecting synthetic diamonds is one way to make sure that your diamonds are 100% ethical.
  
  

Cons of Synthetic Lab Created Diamonds

When lab grown diamonds first started to roll out, the colorless synthetics actually cost more than natural diamonds. This is no longer the case as the demand for synthetic fancy and colorless diamonds has increased and laboratories have improved their output and processes.

The major con to synthetic diamonds? While synthetic diamonds are valuable, they do not have the value that real colorless and natural diamonds have long term and most likely will not increase in value over time.

Prices and Value of Synthetic Diamonds

Below you will find the average price for 0.5 carat loose synthetic lab created diamonds vs natural diamonds with comparable clarity, cut and color characteristics.

	Colorless	Blue	Yellow	Red	Pink	Green
HPHT/CVD	$1,284	$3,000	$1,500	$2,000	$1,500	$800
Natural	$3,000	$30,000	$7,000	$150,000	$30,000	$30,000

Prices for synthetic and natural diamonds will vary according to cut, color, carat and clarity – but as you can see from the table, you can save a huge amount of money with the purchase of a synthetic fancy color diamond as opposed to a natural fancy color diamond.

Shopping Tips for Synthetic Lab Created Diamonds

If you are searching for synthetic diamond rings or loose lab grown diamonds, keep these tips in mind:

Stick with companies which sell synthetic lab created diamonds that come with a certificate from a reputable laboratory like the GIA.

The certificate will confirm that your diamond is indeed a synthetic diamond – and not a simulant – and it will provide a grade on the diamond's clarity, cut, polish and color. The certificate will also map out the diamond, which will come in handy if the diamond is ever lost or stolen.

Always double check that you are definitely purchasing lab grown diamonds which have the exact same characteristics as natural diamonds. While these diamonds are almost always called ‘synthetic’ or ‘created’ diamonds, some retailers may also use these terms for simulant diamonds. (Remember: simulant diamonds look similar to real diamonds but do not have the same chemical/physical characteristics as natural diamonds).

• Price is a terrific indicator of whether or not a synthetic diamond is truly a synthetic. If you see a synthetic diamond for sale for a too good to believe price, chances are this diamond is really just a simulant.
  

Reputable synthetic diamond producers laser inscribe each of their diamonds with a microscopic serial number – which identifies the diamond as a lab produced synthetic diamond. If you see a synthetic diamond for sale without a laser inscribed number and certification beware – you could be purchasing a cheap imitation or you won't have essential info on the diamond that you need for insurance/value purposes.

Lab grown diamonds may either be purchased loose, or fashioned into synthetic diamond rings. If you buy the diamonds loose, you can work with a local or online jeweler to design a custom handmade ring. For a synthetic diamond engagement ring or wedding band, stick with companies that use eco-friendly metals too, to ensure that the environmentally friendly aspect of the synthetic diamonds are not lost.

EWR's Top Recommendations for Lab Created Diamonds

Clean Origin: Here you will find ONLY lab created colorless and fancy color diamonds in a huge selection of sizes and shapes which can be chosen to create your ring, plus pre-designed men and women's wedding bands and engagement rings in lab created diamonds. These diamonds are certified, authentic and from one of the best synthetic diamond wedding ring companies.

Brilliant Earth: For a large selection of colorless synthetic diamonds and a selection of fancy color diamonds, BE is a great option, particularly if you want to design a unique ring around a lab created diamond of your choice. All synthetic diamonds are certified.

Gemvara: This eco-friendly company offers the option of selecting lab created certified diamonds for any of their pre-designed men's and women's wedding rings. You will not find fancy colored diamonds here but rather a large selection of colorless diamonds in a variety of shapes and sizes.

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