Christian Cuaresma

Stem 11- St. Jude

There are many diamond alternatives that have come to market in recent years, and in some cases, people
could refer to these as “fake,” “synthetic,” or “simulated.” According to the Gemological Institute of
America or GIA, lab made diamonds are also sometimes referred to as “man-made or synthetic
diamonds.”
Whereas simulated diamonds are stones that only look like diamonds, like cubic zirconia, white sapphire,
moissanite, zircon, rutile, spinel, and synthetic garnet.

Are Lab Diamonds the same as Synthetic Diamonds?

Lab diamonds are not synthetic diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds look identical to a natural diamond.
They have the same properties as natural diamonds, the only difference is that they are grown in a lab,
whereas natural diamonds are formed in the earth. Synthetic diamonds are alternatives to natural and lab
grown diamonds. Common ones can include spinel, and cubic zirconia.

What is a natural diamond?

A natural diamond is made from carbon and is the hardest natural known substance on earth. Natural
diamonds are created over a period of one to three billion years, at least 85 miles below the earth’s mantle
under natural conditions of very high pressure and high temperature. Once a diamond has been created in
these underground conditions, it travels via molten rock to the earth’s surface, where it is mined, refined,
and turned into beautiful jewelry or used for industrial purposes. Learn more about how diamonds are
formed.
What is a lab diamond?
A lab or man-made diamond is made under very similar conditions of very high pressure and high
temperature. First a diamond seed is selected to undergo extreme conditions in a lab environment. After a
few weeks, the diamond seed would have crystallized to a full rough diamond. Once done, it is then cut
and polished. The end result is a diamond with the same chemical and optical properties of a natural
diamond.

LAB VERSUS SIMULATED DIAMONDS

Simulated diamonds are not true natural diamonds as they have either been manufactured or chemically
altered. Simulated diamonds can include cubic zirconia, white sapphire, moissanite, zircon, rutile, spinel,
and synthetic garnet.
Whereas lab-grown diamonds are created with the same physical and chemical properties as a natural
diamond would have. However, they are created by man and are not made in nature.
Despite simulated diamonds being chemically unlike natural diamonds, and lab diamonds not occurring
in nature, the positive is, lab and simulated diamonds are much less expensive and do have diamond
optical properties.

BENEFITS OF NATURAL DIAMONDS

1. A natural diamond’s value will usually increase over time with inflation. The larger a diamond
the rarer it is, and this usually results in a good investment. The same applies for finding a
diamond with perfect clarity and color.
2. Natural diamonds have been purchased and traded for many more years than lab diamonds,
making their pricing more stable over time.
3. Moreover, natural diamonds that may appreciate more quickly in value include fancy colors such
as canary yellow diamonds which are considered investment grade. If looking to make a great
investment in a diamond the rarest natural diamonds are red. Pink and blue are also considered
higher value in terms of appreciation.
BENEFITS OF LAB DIAMONDS
1. Lab conditions resemble those of natural diamonds that take millions of years to form within the
earth. Therefore, the result is the same chemical and optical properties as a natural diamond.
2. Because of the alternative offered by scientists in man-made diamonds, there is a shorter supply
chain in terms of the diamond coming into the consumer’s hands. This reduces the cost for the
end consumer. Therefore, lab grown diamonds provide a cost-effective alternative to the natural
counterpart.
3. Lab technicians are constantly monitoring temperature and pressure for lab diamond seeds to
grow. Therefore, these types of stones would never take hundreds of years to grow. This enables
lab diamond shoppers to have ample options to choose from.
4. Lab grown means less impact on the environment, which means the diamond passes through
fewer hands. A shorter supply chain could guarantee more transparency about the creation of
your diamond.