Lab diamonds
Since our pioneering journey into lab diamonds began over a decade ago, we have been at the forefront of bringing ethically sourced lab diamonds to Australia and we're very excited to share our experience and sparkling beauties with you.
Despite limited sizes and color choices at that time, our ambition for a more ethical diamond was already starting to take shape, and over the following years it has spread worldwide. We have been fortunate enough to build relationships with diamond growers in America, Europe, and India while providing insight derived through our experience; this allows us to offer an exquisitely curated collection that is sure not only to turn heads but also to convert traditional skeptics alike. Not just worth its weight in gold (or should we say “diamonds”?) – opting for lab-grown stones can bring about cost savings as well as numerous other advantages compared to mined alternatives.
What are Lab Diamonds?
Simply put they are diamonds made by humans. They are not fake diamonds or diamond simulants like Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia, Lab diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same chemical and physical properties as mined diamonds and are indistinguishable from them to the naked eye. This means lab diamonds are perfect for any use that mined diamonds are traditionally used for whether that be in a scientific lens for a laser or a sparkling engagement ring.
LAB DIAMONDS - ENERGY USE
The amount of energy used to grow a lab-grown diamond using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) methods can vary depending on factors such as the size and quality of the diamond being grown, as well as the specific methods and equipment used by the lab. However, in general, lab-grown diamonds require less energy than mined diamonds from large industrial mines, with the CVD process using less energy than the HPHT process.
Unlike the diesel and explosives used in mining, lab diamond production uses electricity and our preferred growers use 30-100% renewable power supplied by solar, hydro, and biomass systems, giving you an ethically sound symbol of your commitment while building a brighter future for all.
Lab diamonds have the potential to revolutionize the diamond industry, providing a sustainable and price-conscious option for consumers. However the industry is still in its infancy and in some instances, lab diamonds are being created in exploitative ways with old energy-intensive technology that leaves communities and environments suffering. Few jewellers are transparent about where their lab diamonds come from at a time when mined diamond companies are increasing their transparency by providing mine-to-market information. As with all our gems and metals our lab diamonds are known origin, acquired by us directly from the growers and cutters, enabling us to have a complete understanding of the lifecycle of these sparkly diamonds. Our suppliers are committed to increasing the quality of their diamonds while lowering their energy use and supporting their workforce with OH&S and stable employment that helps foster an inclusive, sustainable community.
How are lab diamonds grown
There are two main processes for creating lab diamonds HPHT and CVD. Both can be carefully controlled to create beautiful diamonds perfect for an engagement ring. In both cases, energy is used to restructure carbon atoms into diamond just like mined diamonds but both procedures achieve this outcome in very different ways.
HPHT DIAMONDS
HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) diamonds are made by recreating the conditions that exist deep within the Earth where natural diamonds are formed. This is done by using a press that applies high pressure and high temperature to a diamond seed, which is typically a small piece of a natural diamond or a synthetic diamond, in order to cause it to grow into a larger diamond. The process typically takes several weeks to several months. This technology was pioneered by a Russian scientist and then perfected by American scientists before spreading to China and India where they further refined the process lowering energy use and increasing yield.
CVD DIAMONDS
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) is the newest form of diamond growing suitable for jewellery and it's the most energy efficient. CVD diamonds are made by heating a mixture of gases, such as methane and hydrogen, to very high temperatures in a special reactor, similar in some respects to a microwave oven. The gases are then broken down by a high-energy plasma, and carbon atoms are deposited (almost like rain) onto a substrate, forming a thin layer of diamond. This process can be used to make both small and large diamond crystals and is often used to create high-quality, high-purity diamonds for industrial and scientific applications. The process can also be used to create colored diamonds by introducing impurities during the growth process. Generally, the diamonds produced in this process are type IIa a very pure diamond, rare in nature as they have very low amounts of nitrogen.
LAB DIAMOND TREATMENT
Not only is the HPHT technique used to grow diamonds, but it can also be utilized to further improve their colour in a post-growth treatment. Lab diamonds that have not had this extra treatment are known as "as grown".
The extra HPHT treatment is perminant and therefore accepted by the jewellery industry as a normal part of lab diamodn production.
Meet our Lab diamond growers and cutters
Diamond Foundry
World leaders in sustainable diamond manufacture, Diamond Foundry grow and cut their diamonds using 100% renewable power.https://diamondfoundry.com/pages/just-diamond
Neo Lab Growns
Neo are expert diamond cutters. They carefully select the very best diamond rough and bring it to life with state of the art laser diamond cutting equipment and an experienced human touch.