A new option for diamonds - Lab-grown diamonds
A New Choice, lab-grown diamonds
Recently, we have been seeing more and more words such as "sustainable" and "SDGs." Sustainable means ``sustainable'' and ``able to continue forever.'' This movement, in which people all over the world work towards a sustainable society as a common goal, is becoming a new standard in the jewelry industry in recent years.
One of our initiatives is "ethical jewelry." Ethical jewelry is jewelry that is made sustainably, based on ethical values, from the perspective of environmental issues, to all the people involved, without harming anyone. Here, we would like to tell you about "Lab Grown Diamonds", which are becoming increasingly popular as a new diamond option among ethical jewelry.
About lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced in a laboratory (above ground) from the same ingredients as natural diamonds mined from underground.
Lab-grown diamonds suitable for industrial use were first produced in the 1950s, and it wasn't until the mid-2010s that lab-grown colorless diamonds entered the market on a commercial scale.
Lab-grown diamonds are nearly impossible to identify with the naked eye, as they are composed of the same ingredients and therefore have the same characteristics as natural diamonds. However, strictly speaking, this does not mean they are "exactly the same."
Although natural diamonds are supposed to be pure carbon, they actually contain other substances such as nitrogen and boron, which can affect their color. Furthermore, natural diamonds are produced over thousands of years and often contain extremely small foreign particles during that process.
On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds are created in a completely controlled environment, and the ingredients can be adjusted at will. Therefore, it is possible to stably produce 100% pure clear crystals that do not contain any impurities.
According to Dr. James Shigley, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Research Fellow Emeritus, who has been researching lab-grown diamonds for over 30 years, there are currently two ways lab-grown diamonds are produced.
Two generation methods
◆HPHT (high temperature and high pressure method)
HPHT (high temperature and high pressure method) has been researched for a long time and is currently widely used as a method for producing lab-grown diamonds.
High Pressure and High Temperature is a method of synthesizing diamonds by using a high-pressure press to recreate the environment in which natural diamonds are produced inside the earth. This technique was once used to make melee diamonds (small stones), but as the technology improved, large diamonds were also produced.
◆ CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), which was subsequently developed , is a method for producing large diamonds. Although it requires a high temperature of 1300℃, it does not require high pressure like HPHT. Diamonds are produced little by little by applying microwave energy to methane gas containing carbon. Since impurities can be precisely controlled, it is possible to produce diamonds with higher purity.
Lab-grown diamonds can also be evaluated for the 4Cs in the same way as natural diamonds.
The 4Cs (carat, color, clarity, cut) are important evaluations that determine the value of a diamond. Just like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are evaluated for quality using these 4Cs. A diamond certificate issued by GIA ( Gemological Institute of America ) allows you to see its value at a glance. All lab-grown diamonds have a GIA Certificate Number, which allows you to better identify their value and make an informed purchase.
Comparatively more eco-friendly than natural mining and no human rights issues
From a sustainable perspective, this is probably the biggest benefit of lab-grown diamonds.
Natural diamonds have long had various problems due to the difficulty of mining them. These include low-wage/unpaid labor and child labor to mine the rough stones. In addition, the mining of natural diamonds is highly regarded as an environmental issue. In order to mine one carat of rough stone, tens of thousands of tons of soil are dug up, and the carbon dioxide emitted during mining is thought to contribute to environmental destruction.
On the other hand, diamonds made in a laboratory are free from poor working conditions and environmental problems.
"Earth-friendly diamonds" There are environments and lives that can be saved depending on our choices.
Lab-grown diamond options
This time, we introduced the benefits of lab-grown diamonds. Lastly, the price is about 30-50% of natural diamonds. It is very attractive that you can purchase the same beautiful shine as natural products at an affordable price. Please feel the splendor of this new generation of diamonds.
