What Are Light Grown Diamonds?

Light grown diamonds are diamonds that have been created in a lab. These diamonds are the same color, clarity and carat as mined diamonds but cost thousands less than their earth-mined counterparts.

They’re a favorite among millennials who are turning away from traditional engagement and wedding rings in favor of jewelry that is more fashion-forward and edgy. These lab-grown diamonds can be found in stunning colors like blue, yellow and pink, and are made from a process that is physically, optically and chemically identical to natural ones.

Color

A diamond’s color can affect its price and beauty. The color of a lab-grown diamond depends on how it’s created and what minerals or particulates are present within it.

The most common causes of diamond color are nitrogen impurities during the growing process, which gives the stones a yellow tint. However, other causes are possible. These include structural imperfections, such as internal graining and surface blemishes.

Lab-grown diamonds also get their color through trace particulates and minerals that cause the light to reflect in specific ways, resulting in hues such as blue or green. In addition, the size and quality of the trace particulates can make a diamond appear darker or lighter than it actually is.

There are several different processes used to create lab-grown diamonds, including the high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) process and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Unlike mined diamonds, which get their color from inclusions, CVD diamonds contain only carbon. The result is a complex structure that grows and compresses to the desired shape and carat weight.

One of the more interesting characteristics of lab-grown diamonds is their ability to fluoresce. They glow brightly under UV light, and their refraction patterns create unique colours.

Some diamonds are treated to improve their fluorescence, while others are left as is. GIA and other major gemstone grading institutions grade fluorescence based on the degree to which it impacts a diamond’s appearance.

For example, a diamond with low fluorescence may look darker than it really is when viewed under normal indoor lighting conditions. But this effect can be diminished if the diamond is placed under UV light, blacklight or direct sunlight.

In some cases, the fluorescence is a bonus, as it can help to increase the clarity of a diamond. For instance, a medium blue fluorescence can help to make a D-G diamond look whiter than it really is.

Another benefit of fluorescence is that it can make the facets of the diamond shine more vividly. This can help to make the stone look more symmetrical and beautiful.

While this can be a great thing, it also means that some lab-grown diamonds will have a blue tint to them, which can be an issue. For this reason, it is important to check the grading report of any diamond you’re considering buying to ensure that it doesn’t have a blue tint.

Clarity

A diamond’s clarity is the degree to which it reflects light. It also refers to the degree to which it is free of flaws or imperfections that affect how light interacts with the stone.

Lab-grown diamonds, like natural diamonds, can have a variety of inclusions, including tiny metallic ones that can be difficult to detect with the naked eye. In addition, the type of laboratory process used to grow them can impact their clarity. For example, lab-grown diamonds created using high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) can contain remnants of the metallic flux that transports carbon gas to the diamond seed as it grows. These are only visible under magnification and count as inclusions in GIA’s clarity grading system.

In addition, some lab grown diamonds can be treated to add coloured or fluorescent elements to their crystal structure. These can also have a negative effect on clarity, as they may create black spots or inclusions made of graphite around the diamond seed as it grows.

Nevertheless, lab-grown diamonds are often referred to as clearer than their mined counterparts. This is because they are created under controlled environments where fewer imperfections can be found.

When a lab diamond is submitted to an unbiased gem lab for testing, it will be graded based on its 4Cs- color, cut, clarity and carat weight. This grading helps consumers identify diamonds that are more likely to be genuine and more valuable than other stones.

The GIA clarity grading system covers all aspects of the diamond’s clarity, from the number of inclusions to their placement and relief. These are all measured and assigned a clarity grade, which is assigned after examining the diamond under 10X magnification.

Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be included, although lab-grown diamonds are more likely to contain inclusions. Unlike natural diamonds, which are formed in deep, dark places under the Earth’s surface, lab-grown diamonds can be crafted using various processes, resulting in a wide range of clarity characteristics.

Ultimately, the clarity of any diamond is determined by its atomic makeup and the way it reflects light. The more clarity a diamond has, the better it will sparkle and reflect light. This is why all Radiant Star lab-grown diamonds are expertly cut to maximize light return, giving each piece incredible brilliance from every angle.

Carat

The carat of a diamond is one of the most important factors in determining its beauty. A smaller diamond with a higher quality cut will be more alluring than a larger diamond with a lower quality cut, so choosing the right stone for you can make all the difference in how your piece looks and feels.

The best way to ensure that you get a good quality diamond is to look for it with GIA certification. These gem labs have been in business since 1931 and have established the industry’s standards for grading diamonds on color, clarity, cut and carat weight.

While natural diamonds are formed deep beneath the Earth’s surface over billions of years, man-made (or lab grown) diamonds are created in laboratories using processes such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT). The most popular laboratory growth method, HPHT, can grow a diamond up to 10 carats while CVD can produce a much larger gemstone.

Another benefit of lab-grown diamonds is that they can be grown quickly and cost-effectively compared to mined diamonds, which are typically cultivated for decades. This can result in significant savings for consumers, and can help them find a stone that fits within their budget without compromising on quality.

In addition to their affordability, man-made diamonds are also able to have a higher symmetry than mined stones, which is helpful for those looking for a more perfect cut. Ultimately, this can improve the overall sparkle of your stone and the value of the piece.

Aside from their low price, man-made diamonds are also available in a wider range of shapes and sizes than mined diamonds. This can be a huge plus for buyers who want to create their own jewelry designs or customize existing pieces.

However, it’s important to note that lab-grown diamonds are not gradable in the same way as organic ones. The GIA doesn’t grade them the same way as organic diamonds do, and so there are some important differences that must be understood before making a purchase.

Because lab-grown diamonds can be made in a variety of colors and clarities, it’s vital to understand what the different grades mean. Luckily, the GIA has updated its grading guidelines in 2019, and the terms used have been redesigned to minimize confusion. In addition to changing the D-Z color scale for lab grown diamonds, the GIA has removed abbreviated clarity grades, thereby creating a more uniform and clear distinction between the two types of gemstones.

Fluorescence

Fluorescence is a characteristic that occurs in diamonds. It is a result of nitrogen atoms aligned in specific arrays within the carbon lattice structure inside a diamond’s crystal structure.

This unique internal composition can lead to strong blue fluorescence that can be observed in common sources of UV light, such as the sun. While weak fluorescence has a negligible impact, stronger fluorescent characteristics can negatively impact diamonds.

In some cases, strong fluorescence can make a lab made diamond appear hazy and cloudy. This can be seen when a lab made diamond is viewed directly under strong UV lighting. This is typically a sign that the diamond has been grown in an environment that produces high levels of UV.

Some people prefer the look of a diamond with some fluorescence. This can help offset some of the yellow body color in diamonds with a lower color grade (like K and lower), making them appear a little whiter and sparklier when exposed to sunlight.

However, this is not always a good thing for value shoppers or those looking for the traditional brilliant diamond look. In addition to a negative impact on the diamond’s price, it can also significantly reduce its liquidity and resale value.

There is a bit of confusion about fluorescence and the effect it can have on diamonds. During the grading process, gemological labs such as GIA and AGS assess the diamond’s fluorescence and determine its intensity according to the following categories: None, Faint, Medium, Strong and Very Strong.

GIA grades the diamond’s fluorescence by observing it in the face-up position and determining its impact on the diamond based on the amount of ultraviolet (UV) lighting present. It can also be impacted by the viewing angle.

In most cases, the influence of fluorescence is a positive one. It can help to offset some of the yellow body color in a diamond, which can give it a slightly whiter appearance when worn in a diamond engagement ring.

It can also increase the diamond’s eye appeal. This can be especially beneficial to those who have a low budget but still want to purchase a diamond that is very eye-catching.

What Are Light Grown Diamonds?