Lab Grown Diamonds are of lower grades as compared to mined diamonds?

This is one of the most common questions we receive at Éternité Diamonds, and the answer might surprise you: lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. Let’s explore how lab-grown diamonds compare to mined diamonds across key factors such as composition, color, production, grades, sustainability, and ethics.

• Composition

Lab-grown diamonds have the same atomic structure as mined diamonds: both are made of pure carbon arranged in a crystal lattice. This structure gives diamonds their renowned hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and brilliance. Advanced technology replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form, ensuring no difference in composition.

• Color

Lab-grown diamonds offer the same spectrum of colors as mined diamonds, ranging from colorless (D-grade) to various hues like yellow, blue, and pink. They undergo similar grading processes for color and clarity by trusted labs like GIA or IGI.

Fun fact: Lab-grown diamonds can sometimes achieve rarer colors, such as intense blues or pinks, without additional mining or rarity inflation.

• Production

Lab-grown diamonds are created using two advanced methods:

High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT): Mimics the Earth’s conditions by applying intense pressure and heat.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Involves growing a diamond layer by layer in a controlled chamber.

These methods ensure precision and control, often leading to fewer impurities and inclusions than those found in naturally mined diamonds.

• Grades

Lab-grown diamonds undergo the same grading standards as mined diamonds, assessed by the 4Cs: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. They are certified by reputable gemological labs like the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute).

Lab-grown diamonds often have superior clarity and color due to the controlled production process, meaning they can achieve higher grades more consistently.

• Sustainability

Mined diamonds involve environmentally destructive practices, such as open-pit mining, deforestation, and water contamination. Producing one carat of mined diamond displaces over 250 tons of earth and uses excessive energy.

In contrast, lab-grown diamonds:
    •    Use 99% less land and have a significantly smaller carbon footprint.
    •    Avoid ecological destruction, making them a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious buyers.

• Ethics

Mined diamonds are often associated with human rights violations, forced labor, and funding conflicts (“blood diamonds”). Despite initiatives like the Kimberley Process, gaps remain in ensuring ethical sourcing.

Lab-grown diamonds are free from these issues:
    •    They are conflict-free and traceable to their origin.
    •    Choosing lab-grown diamonds supports ethical practices and avoids contributing to exploitative systems.

Conclusion

Lab-grown diamonds are not inferior to mined diamonds; in fact, they often surpass mined diamonds in clarity, sustainability, and ethical considerations. At Éternité Diamonds, we believe your choice of diamond should reflect your values. Our lab-grown diamonds symbolize love—not just for your partner, but for humanity and the planet.

For more information or to see our collection, explore Éternité Diamonds today!