CVD Diamonds (Too Good to Be True?)

Science has unlocked the ability to create diamonds in a laboratory setting through advanced technologies like chemical vapor deposition (CVD). 

CVD diamonds, also known as lab-grown diamonds, are created through a process called chemical vapor deposition. These diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds but are produced in a controlled laboratory environment. They offer an ethical and more affordable alternative to mined diamonds.

What is a CVD Diamond? 

CVD stands for chemical vapor deposition, the process used to manufacture these lab-created diamonds.

It all starts with a tiny diamond "seed" placed inside a heated vacuum chamber. Methane gas is then introduced, breaking down into plasma containing carbon atoms. The carbon atoms settle on the diamond seed, forming layer after layer of diamond crystal. By controlling variables like heat and pressure, the CVD process faithfully replicates the conditions found deep within the earth that create natural diamonds. Over weeks and months, the diamond seeds grow into glittering gems.

Make no mistake, CVD diamonds are real diamonds through and through.

They have the same physical, chemical and optical qualities as a traditionally mined diamond, with one exception - CVD diamonds are rated type IIa - the most optically pure diamond with no detectable nitrogen impurities.

Less than 2% of diamonds found in nature achieve this high standard of purity and perfection. When it comes to appearance, CVD diamonds are flawless.

They sparkle with the same fire and brilliance as any diamond sourced from the earth, to the point where only a trained gemologist using specialized equipment can distinguish them from mined diamonds.

Comparing CVD and Mined Diamonds

At a glance, there are few visual differences between CVD lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds. Look closely and the advantages of CVD diamonds become clearer:

Origin - CVD diamonds are born in a high-tech lab. Traditional diamonds originate deep within the earth and require extensive mining to extract.

Quality - The controlled process allows CVD diamonds to achieve a level of perfection not seen in nature, with no flaws or inclusions. Mined diamonds contain imperfections based on natural conditions.

Supply - Diamonds can be manufactured in a lab indefinitely. Mined diamonds are finite based on limited natural supply.  

Ethics - CVD diamonds are ethically sourced. The origins of some mined diamonds have raised concerns over human rights and environmental impact.

Affordability - Due to the optimized manufacturing process, CVD diamonds have a lower production cost, making them around 30-40% less expensive than mined diamonds.

For consumers prioritizing value, ethics and quality, CVD lab grown diamonds offer clear advantages over natural diamonds. The supply is abundant and affordable, the quality is flawless, and they are responsibly sourced. Yet the CVD manufacturing process has limitations when it comes to creating large diamonds over 2 carats. For consumers desiring impressive diamond size, mined gems may be the better option.

The CVD Diamond Creation Process 

The technology behind creating CVD diamonds is complex, but the process itself is straightforward. It starts by placing a small lab-grown diamond seed weighing less than a carat into the center of a microwave plasma reactor. Built like a bell jar, this sophisticated device reaches temperatures exceeding 1,800°C and precisely replicates the high-pressure conditions found 100 miles below the earth's crust where natural diamonds form.  

Gases like methane or carbon dioxide are introduced into the reactor, breaking down into plasma containing ions and molecules of carbon. The carbon ions accumulate layer by layer on the diamond seed in a process known as thin film deposition. The manufacturing process allows for precise control over variables like temperature, pressure and plasma composition to optimize diamond growth. The diamond seed slowly increases in size, growing at a painstaking pace of less than 1-2 microns per hour. While the process takes weeks or months, it allows for mass production of diamonds in a condensed period of time compared to the billions of years required for nature to form these gems in the earth.

The resulting lab-grown CVD diamond is chemically and atomically identical to a naturally occurring diamond, although it may contain trace elements of nitrogen or boron from the manufacturing process.

Unlike other methods of creating synthetic diamonds using high pressure and heat, the CVD process faithfully replicates the conditions under which diamonds naturally crystallize.

The result is a flawless man-made diamond with the same sparkle, fire, and brilliance as a mined diamond, sans imperfections.

How Fast Do CVD Diamonds Grow? 

The pace of diamond growth using CVD is painstakingly slow. Depositing carbon atoms on the seed crystals is a gradual process, adding growth layers measured in nanometers - billionths of a meter.

On average, CVD diamonds increase in carat weight by 1-2 microns per hour. One micron is one-millionth of a meter or one-thousandth of a millimeter - barely discernible to the human eye. 

At this incremental rate, it takes weeks to produce a CVD diamond over half a carat, and months to manufacture a 1+ carat gem.

How Much Does a CVD Diamond Cost?

CVD diamonds are graded and priced similarly compared to mined diamonds, with clarity, carat, color and cut as key determinants. The cost of manufacturing CVD diamonds is estimated to be around 15-30% cheaper compared to mining diamonds!

This cost advantage gets passed onto the consumer. On average, consumers pay around 30-40% less when purchasing an equivalent CVD diamond.

Savings become substantial for larger, higher-quality diamonds. A 1.5-carat CVD diamond might retail for $5,000 rather than $7,500 for a similar mined stone.

Some experts predict the price gap will narrow as manufacturing technology improves. For now, CVD offers clear pricing advantages.

Why Buy CVD Lab Grown Diamonds?

CVD diamonds offer consumers clear advantages over mined diamonds:

Affordability - The optimized manufacturing process brings down costs, with CVD diamonds retailing at around 30-40% less than mined diamonds. For budget-conscious ring shoppers, this is an attractive value.

Ethical Sourcing - Diamonds mined using environmental and humanitarian best practices still encounter concerns. The controlled creation of diamonds in a lab avoids these ethical pitfalls.

Eco-Friendly - CVD production uses renewable energy and carbon sources like recycled manes and tails of horses. The process has less environmental impact compared to extensive diamond mining operations.

Flawless Quality - CVD allows for diamonds of exceptional clarity, color and cut unparalleled in nature. Optically perfect gems can be produced reliably.

Beyond aesthetics, consumers purchasing diamonds sourced from a lab are spared the guesswork and ethical concerns that come with diamonds of unknown provenance pulled from the earth. There is comfort in knowing the origin. CVD manufacturers use best practices for responsible diamond sourcing backed by certification and comply with the UN Kimberley Process. Compared to diamond mining, the environmental impact is minimal. For the eco-conscious consumer, this offers peace of mind.

Still, lab grown diamonds do come with some downsides to consider:

Prestige and History - Mined diamonds are embedded in human culture, associated with tradition, luxury and romance. Lab grown diamonds have a high-tech aura less steeped in history. For some consumers, this distinction matters.

Resale Value - Large, high quality mined diamonds command a premium for resale that CVD diamonds do not. Those purchasing diamonds purely as an investment may want to stick with natural stones.

Limited Size - The CVD method allows for economical production of diamonds up to 2 carats. For consumers who cherish statement-making diamond size, mined gems are the only option.

No matter how similar CVD diamonds may be to the real thing, there is something to be said for the wonder and rarity of natural diamonds formed over billions of years, unveiled by chance deep below the surface. Not everyone will find lab-made gems an acceptable substitute from emotional or financial viewpoints. Understanding your priorities as a consumer will shape the decision.

Should I Buy a CVD Diamond?

CVD diamonds represent a milestone in material science, blurring the line between natural and manufactured. Optically and chemically, they are equivalent to diamonds formed in the earth. Yet their origins, ethical sourcing, affordability and eco-friendly production set them apart.

Here are the most compelling benefits of CVD lab-grown diamonds:

• Physically, visually and chemically identical to mined diamonds. Even experts struggle to tell them apart.
• Up to 40% more affordable for an opticially perfect diamond of equivalent size and quality.
• Ethically produced compared to concerns with diamonds from small mines and specific geographic regions.  
• Environmentally friendly compared to extensive diamond mining and processing.
• Exceptionally pure type IIa diamonds, with flawless clarity and colorless grades of D-F. Unattainable in nature.
• Peace of mind knowing the origin and responsible production. Documentation tracks the diamond's growth.
• Customize diamonds by "seeding" during the growth process to control properties like color.

The technology leaves traditional diamond sourcing methods in the dust. CVD offers the future of diamonds; identical gems created sustainably, ethically, affordably and engineered to perfection in a lab. For consumers aligning personal values with luxury purchases, it's an innovation whose time has arrived.

Advice for the Diamond Buyer

The natural beauty of a diamond endures, but the perception around lab-grown diamonds changes with each passing year. If the lower cost and ethical clarity appeal to you, a CVD diamond deserves consideration. Buyers should heed the following guidance:

• Make choices aligned with personal values - CVD represents an affordable, responsible option that still offers the quintessential diamond.
• Seek certification - Reputable CVD manufacturers provide documentation like laboratory certificates affirming the diamond's authenticity and specifications. 
• Purchase from trusted brands sold by authorized retailers - Ask about return policies, buy-back options, insurance and warranties. Gain confidence in your purchase.
• Get an independent appraisal - An unbiased gemologist can grade CVD diamonds and verify paperwork provided. Appraisals should come with a lab report.
• Set expectations around size - CVD production currently tops out at around 2 carats. For gigantic diamonds, mined gems reign supreme.

The mined versus lab-grown diamond debate stirs passionate opinions. CVD diamonds make identical quality more accessible for the discerning consumer. Yet scarcity and mystique still surround naturally formed diamonds. Ultimately, personal values shape the decision. Demand for CVD diamonds rises each year as consumers discover an affordable, ethical alternative. Perhaps one day, children will never know that diamonds were once pushed up from the earth, not pulled down from the stars.

CVD Vs Other Diamond Alternatives

Consumers intrigued by affordable lab-created diamonds also consider alternatives that emulate diamond's brilliance. Cubic zirconia and moissanite are two popular diamond simulants, but they lack the identical chemical structure and refractive qualities of real diamond. Neither is as hard or durable as diamond. Nonetheless, both offer the look of diamonds for a fraction of the cost. 

Another method for making cultured diamonds is the high pressure high temperature (HPHT) process recreating the temperature and pressure conditions found deep underground where diamonds form. The process yields diamonds with similar hardness, sparkle and dispersion as natural diamond, although most contain detectable nitrogen impurities. HPHT diamonds represent a small portion of the overall lab-grown diamond market.

Are All Lab-Grown Diamonds CVD Diamonds?

While CVD has a large share of the market, it's not the only method for producing man-made diamonds. Another technique called HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) forces tiny carbon particles into a diamond press recreating the heat and pressure deep within the earth. Shock waves align the particles into diamond crystals. HPHT accounts for around 20% of lab-grown diamonds on the market, allowing for economical production of smaller melee diamonds.

Are CVD Diamonds Really Flawless?

The level of perfection achieved in CVD diamonds is astonishing. The tightly controlled process minimizes defects and allows for diamonds of impeccable quality unachievable through underground mining. CVD diamonds exhibit a high degree of:

Optical Transparency - Type IIa CVD diamonds are optically pure with no defects visible under magnification. Over 98% transmit light for unmatched brilliance. 

Colorless Clarity - CVD produces colorless diamonds of the highest grade D-F on the Gemological Institute of America's grading scale.

Flawless Purity - CVD diamonds are rated IF for Internal Flawless, with no inclusions visible under 10X magnification.

Precision Cut - Lasers cut the diamond crystals with supreme precision into ideal proportions to maximize sparkle.

For consumers who value quality, optical performance and precision, CVD represents a new pinnacle of diamond perfection, beyond what nature can produce. The manufacturing process reliably generates diamonds of exceptional grade. However, no man-made diamond is indestructible. They can chip or fracture if subjected to sharp, sudden impacts. For some applications, CVD diamonds may require special cuts, inclusions or coatings to increase toughness and durability.