Page 30 - March / April 2023 : Diamond Digest Issue

Lab-grown diamonds :
Everything You Need to Know
Lab-grown diamond display the same physical, chemical and optical characteristics as natural diamonds, alongwith the same fire, scintilation and sparkle. Diamond Digest interviewed about the above subject to Mr. Suketu Shah of RIYA STAR LLP. He has aptly described the main features of L.G.D. Here is the excerpts of Mr. Shah's description about Lab Grown Diamond.
D.D : What are lab-grown diamonds?
Mr. Shah : Lab-grown diamonds, as the name suggests, are cultivated in labs by people. With the use of technology, laboratories create these diamonds by replicating the earth’s natural processes that create diamonds conventionally. However lab grown diamonds are like test tube babies optically and chemically, the same as mined diamonds.
D.D : How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Mr. Shah Lab-grown diamonds are produced using high-temperature conditions. Lab grown diamonds are grown using two methods - High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods require diamond seeds. A diamond seed is a single crystal diamond in a slice with a thickness close to human hair. However, growing lab-grown diamonds rough is technology driven and automated, as compared to mined diamonds and hence it is a continuous process of growing rough diamonds, unlike mining and therefore lab-grown diamonds are considered as eco friendly diamonds also.
Lab-grown diamonds are less costly and often sold at a lower price compared to mined diamonds. Cox it eliminates the whole mid chain of changing hands in trade and because of its price efficient angle lab-grown diamonds will have a significant impact on the jewellery sector.
D.D : Lab-grown diamonds termed as eco friendly & pocket friendly diamonds?
Mr. Shah : A natural diamond is mined from the crust of the earth and is over a billion years old, whereas a lab- grown diamond is made using advanced technologies and can be as young as six weeks old. Other than age, the primary difference between the two is the price. Since naturally occurring diamonds reach to end consumers passing multiple hands in trade thus making it expensive, lab-grown diamonds are traded mostly from grower to consumers and this elimination of mid-channel makes it more economical for the consumers.
D.D : Do lab-grown diamonds come in all shapes sizes and colors?
Mr. Shah : As lab-grown diamonds are grown technology driven there are certain restrictions to it coming in all big sizes and colors, but yes as of now lab-grown diamonds are available in all major commercial sizes and colors and with further improvements and development in technology all untouched areas will also be covered.
30 • Diamond Digest • March - April. • 2023