Lab grown diamonds have rapidly moved from a scientific curiosity to one of the most sought-after choices in fine jewellery. Yet many buyers still ask the same question,are they real diamonds? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to earth-mined diamonds. The only difference is where they are born.
The Two Methods of Growing Diamonds
There are two primary technologies used to create lab grown diamonds today: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Both produce genuine diamonds, but they work in very different ways.
CVD,Chemical Vapor Deposition
CVD is the more widely used method in modern diamond production. The process begins with a thin slice of existing diamond,called a diamond seed,placed inside a sealed vacuum chamber. The chamber is then filled with a carbon-rich gas mixture, typically methane, and heated to extremely high temperatures using microwave energy or lasers.
As the gas is energised, carbon atoms separate from the molecules and settle layer by layer onto the diamond seed, slowly building a new diamond crystal. The process takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the desired size and quality of the final stone.
HPHT,High Pressure High Temperature
HPHT mimics the conditions deep within the Earth's mantle, where natural diamonds are formed over millions of years. A small diamond seed is placed in a press alongside carbon material and a metal catalyst. The press then applies pressures exceeding 1.5 million pounds per square inch, combined with temperatures above 1,400°C. Under these extreme conditions, the carbon dissolves and crystallises around the seed, forming a new diamond.
Are They Really Identical to Mined Diamonds?
Yes,and not just visually. Lab grown diamonds have the same crystal structure (cubic carbon lattice), the same refractive index, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and the same brilliance as mined diamonds. Even a trained gemologist cannot distinguish a lab grown diamond from a mined one without specialised equipment.
- Same chemical composition: 100% pure carbon
- Same hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale
- Same refractive index: 2.417
- Same brilliance, fire, and scintillation
- Certified by GIA, IGI, and other leading labs
Why Navratna Chooses Lab Grown
At Navratna Diamonds, every stone we use is a certified lab grown diamond. We made this choice not just because of the superior value it offers our clients, but because of what it represents,a diamond that carries no conflict, no environmental destruction, and no ambiguity about its origins.
Our diamonds are grown using the CVD method in state-of-the-art facilities, then cut and polished by our master craftsmen in Surat,the diamond capital of the world. Every piece that leaves our workshop is a testament to both modern science and timeless artistry.
If you have any questions about lab grown diamonds or would like to explore our collections, get in touch with us. We would be happy to guide you.