There is a thin line of difference between lab-grown, synthetic, man-made, and artificial diamonds. However, this very gap widens when we are talking about all the above-mentioned diamond types and the natural diamond.

Simply put, these diamond categories are not the same.

Lab-grown diamonds are also known as man-made diamonds

These diamonds are produced under similar conditions like that of natural diamonds. A small piece of carbon is subjected to extreme pressure and heat in the laboratory and a natural-looking diamond is produced within weeks, much unlike the latter which takes years to form. Needless to say, man-made diamonds are way cheaper than their natural counterpart because of their production cycle and the cost involved in it.

The best part about these variants of diamonds is that they are mining free, but have the same physical, chemical and optical properties like that of the mined diamonds. Unlike natural diamonds, these diamonds can be cultured in popular colours of yellow.

For these diamonds, a special method called the CVD that imitates the natural diamond-making process on the Earth’s crust, is applied. Some diamonds that have been produced this way may also undergo heat treatment after they are grown. In lab-grown diamonds, the colour is acquired with specific trace elements at the beginning of the process. Incidentally, the diamonds acquire the properties of the trace elements as it happens with the natural diamonds.

The lab-grown diamonds or the man-made diamonds are so similar to the natural diamonds, in terms of their characteristics, refractive index and clarity that only a machine can differentiate between the two.

Artificial diamonds or diamond simulants like cubic zirconia and moissanite may look like diamonds, but are not true carbon crystals. They can easily be spotted with the naked eye and sell at a much lesser price than the lab-grown diamonds. In fact, they do not have the chemical and the physical properties of a natural diamond.

Diamonds have single refractive index and moissanites have single refractive index, which easily catches the eyes of a gemologist. Moreover, natural or lab-grown diamonds have thermal conductivity, which is absent from cubic zirconia. Artificial diamonds are also known as synthetic diamonds, which are widely known as HPHT and CVD diamonds. These diamonds have the strength of a natural diamond and are, therefore, popularly used for industrial purposes. Although the process of making them is similar to that of lab-grown diamonds, they are no way similar to their quality.

The process of making synthetic diamonds is said to have been devised in the 1950s when they were seen as a great way to cut through tough surfaces in industries. They were, thus, used for drills, mining equipments and semi conductors.

Differentiating lab-grown/synthetic diamonds and natural diamonds

The primary way to differentiate between the two is the way they look. Natural diamonds would have flaws in it unlike the lab-grown diamonds, which are perfect in colour and character.

Moissanite or synthetic diamonds are more sparkling than even natural diamonds because they refract light so well. Unlike natural diamond, it does not lose its sparkle over time and usually comes with a lifetime warranty. They are also lighter in weight than natural diamonds, but can often confuse even experts’ eyes with their brilliance.

Discover the lab-grown diamonds by Madestones, stepping into a world of new luxury that is founded in a conscientious choice of opting for man-made diamonds over mined diamonds. Speak to the experts here to know your diamond.