You’ve waited long enough. It’s time to propose to your longtime love, and you decided that a lab grown diamond will be an ideal, eco-friendly choice. Great start! But now that you’re engagement ring shopping, you’re noticing that several diamond certificates reveal imperfections and less-than-perfect color ratings for the stones you’re eyeing.
That might sound like a deal breaker, but it’s actually pretty common. Most lab grown diamonds have some types of imperfections, and they might even display subtle hints of unwanted yellow or brown color. But there’s a chance you won’t even notice! We’re here to tell you more.
What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
Let’s first cover some basics. As the name suggests, lab grown diamonds are developed in laboratories. However, they’re made of carbon and have the same look, durability and sparkle as natural diamonds. So, they’re technically real diamonds! Only trained gemologists can tell them apart by using special equipment.
Just like natural stones, the lab grown versions are strictly evaluated based on their cut, color, clarity and carat weight (aka the 4 C’s). These characteristics are different in each gem, and you can find much of this information in the provided certified reports.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
Before we get into imperfections, it’s important to understand how diamonds are created. Laboratories mainly use two procedures: HPHT, which stands for “high pressure, high temperature,” and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). In both procedures, tiny diamond seeds are placed within special growth chambers until they evolve into real diamonds.
With the primary HPHT process, conditions that formed natural diamonds beneath the Earth’s surface are recreated with high pressure and high temperatures. As a result, lab grown diamond crystals develop. Under CVD, molecules of a carbon-rich gas, like methane, are broken down into carbon and hydrogen atoms. These carbon atoms are then left to settle like snow onto a flat surface until a square-shaped diamond crystal forms.
Why Aren’t Lab Grown Diamonds Colorless and Flawless?
The HPHT and CVD processes allow diamonds to be produced at a much quicker rate — typically a few weeks. But similar to natural diamonds, the growth stages aren’t perfect. For example, small cracks may result from the intense pressure applied to each diamond. Other imperfections might form if a stone develops too quickly. And color could be altered due to the high temperatures or presence of other minerals, such as iron, in the growth chamber.
Here are some of the most common inclusions (aka imperfections inside of a diamond). A full list can be found here.
● Feather: A tiny crack in a diamond that usually looks white and feathery when light hits it.
● Cloud: A group of small, black dots (aka pinpoint inclusions) that have a blurry appearance.
● Crystal: Sometimes, small mineral deposits get trapped inside of a diamond as it’s forming. The results are tiny, crystal-shaped imperfections.
You Don’t Need a Flawless and Colorless Diamond!
A perfectly pure lab grown diamond isn’t everything! The differences between each ranking on the diamond color and clarity scales are often invisible to the naked eye. Plus, the placement of prongs and other elements in certain ring designs can even cover up some defects. So, you can likely choose a “near colorless” diamond with some slight imperfections and your partner won’t be able to tell!
*Pro Tip: Before making a purchase, check to see if your diamond looks white/colorless against the chosen metal of your ring band. If it does, snag that ring before someone else does!
Have a question? We can help!
Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling lab grown diamonds as well as handpicked, certified natural diamonds.
We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. Browse our selection of lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.
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