LABORATORY GROWN DIAMONDS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.

There are two types, make sure you are buying the right one.

Chemical Vapor Disposition (CVD) These are grown using a Type IIa crystal. Type IIa crystal is the purest form of carbon, making up less than 2% of what is mined from the earth. CVD type IIa diamonds are grown from pure carbon, and they have the same chemical, optical and molecular structure as mined diamonds and they will always test as a diamond.

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) seeds often contain elements such as graphite which places ferrous metal in the diamond - this can result in larger inclusions, brown undertones and a magnetic reaction. When testing a HPHT diamond, it is not uncommon for it to test as moissanite rather than a diamond.

Although it may seem you’re saving money, it is important to understand the reasons why CVD is more valuable in the long-term.

At Xennox we encourage our clients to purchase CVD type IIa rather than HPHT grown diamonds.

How is a lab grown diamond different from a traditional mined diamond?

Essentially man-made diamonds are the same as a mined diamond, except one is made above the ground and the other is made below the ground. The other difference is that 98.2% of the worlds mined diamonds occur as a type 1a diamond. Leaving less than 2% being a type 2a diamond crystal which is the most purist form of Carbon Crystal known to man. Colour comes from impurities (such as nitrogen molecules) that become trapped inside the diamond lattice as it grows. A type 2a crystal with almost no impurities making it look whiter and crisper. Every single CVD Lab created diamond is guaranteed to be a type 2a diamond, coming from one of the most purist diamonds in the world.

How Long does it take to make a man-made diamond?

Depending on the size and quality, it can take anywhere from 30-60 days to create a diamond from a diamond seed crystal, whereas a diamond from the ground can take a couple of billion years, give or take a few. So here it comes down to whether it is important to you to say, “my diamond took a billion years to make” or “my diamond was created with the latest technology”

Is a laboratory created diamond a fake or a simulate?

No. A simulant is something that is like, but not the same as something. A man-made diamond has the exact same chemical, physical, optical and molecular structure as a mined diamond. This is different from a Cubic zirconia or Moissanite, as both have different hardness and refractive properties to diamonds. Recently the FTC in America (which is essentially the same as ACCC) has ruled that the lab grown diamonds we sell (CVD Type IIA lab created diamonds are a diamond.

Are Laboratory created diamonds graded the same way

Man-made diamonds are graded in the same way as mined diamonds. They are graded for cut (excellent, very good, good, fair & poor) colour (D-Z) Clarity (flawless – Included) and for their carat weight.

Are Lab created diamonds certified.

Yes, all diamond cutters have their diamonds certified by a reputable diamond grading laboratory. The leading grading report currently on the market for lab created diamonds is GCAL, who even offer a money back guarantee if your diamond is found to be graded incorrectly. Beware of leniently graded diamonds (such as the EGL, IGI), as they are known to be a colour and clarity grade out. The GCAL cert will make sure that the grading is in your favour and you have the best diamond in its class.

Bottom Line: Do What Feels Right for You.

I know it might seem that I am pro lab created diamonds. The truth is I am very much in favour of giving all the right information to my clients and letting them make the choice that benefits them. After all you are the one who will have to live with it, and if you are happy with the choice then we are happy to guide you along your journey.