The number one question we get is “Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?”

The answer is a very simple and definitive yes.  Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, identical in every way (but the price!) to mined diamonds. Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, moissanite, or a “look-a-like” diamond, lab grown diamonds are 100% pure crystallized carbon. We are crystalizing carbon into stunning rough diamonds that are then cut, polished and graded just like earth mined diamonds. Lab created carry the same optical, physical and chemical properties. They have the same refractive index, dispersion, and hardness, and are graded to the same standards as mined diamonds by leading independent gemological institutes.

The only thing that makes a lab grown diamond different from a natural diamond is its origin. A lab grown diamond is created inside a lab using cutting-edge technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process. The result is a man-made diamond that is chemically, physically, and optically the same as those grown beneath the Earth’s surface. This makes our diamonds more ethical, more beautiful, and more affordable than any diamond mined from the earth.

Before we talk about how lab grown diamonds are made, it’s important to understand how mined diamonds are formed. The processes are extremely similar – only one happens naturally while the other occurs in a lab. 

Mined Diamonds Geologists believe that diamonds formed deep within the Earth between 1 billion to 3 billion years ago. While they don’t know exactly how those diamonds came to be, they believe the process starts with carbon dioxide that is buried roughly 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. The consequence of mining diamonds is significant. Mined diamonds—also known as blood diamonds—destroy local habitats and wildlife and compromise the wellbeing of laborers.

The carbon dioxide is exposed to heat in excess of 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and put under extreme pressure of roughly 727,000 pounds per square inch. The diamonds are then transported from deep within the Earth’s core to the surface by way of deep volcanic explosions.

Lab grown diamonds are created the same way as earth mined diamonds. There are two methods currently uses to grow diamonds – High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

HPHT diamonds are made using one of three manufacturing processes: a belt press, the cubic press, and the split-sphere (BARS) press. All of these processes create an environment of extremely high pressure and temperature conducive to diamond growth.

An HPHT diamond begins as a small diamond seed that is placed into carbon. Using one of the manufacturing processes above, the seed is exposed to temperatures of about 1500 degrees Celsius and pressurized to approximately 1.5 million pounds per square inch.

The pure carbon melts and starts to form a diamond around the starter seed. It is then carefully cooled to form a pure carbon diamond.

A CVD diamond begins as a thin slice of diamond seed, which is often an HPHT produced diamond. The diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber and heated to around 800 degrees Celsius.

The chamber is filled with a carbon rich-gas, like Methane, and other gases. The gases are ionized into plasma using technology similar to that of microwaves or lasers. The ionization breaks the molecular bonds in the gases, and the pure carbon adheres to the diamond seed and slowly crystallizes.

• Less expensive

 The price of a lab grown diamond with the same exact characteristics as an earth mined diamond will be 40-50% lower. We are helping you purchase the exact same diamond, same appearance, same quality, same durability for a fraction of the cost. This will allow you to spend money on the other important changes in your life (wedding, house, honeymoon).

• More Ethical 

Several years ago, the mined diamond industry came under scrutiny with unethical production practices that were exposed. These diamonds, sometimes referred to as blood or conflict diamonds, were funding violence and exploiting miners and their families.

Unlike earth mined diamonds, our lab grown diamonds are created without negatively harming native communities, society or the Earth. Lab grown diamonds provide peace a mind that a natural diamond often cannot, and you may find reassurance in knowing the exact origin of your diamond.

•  Environmentally Kind

 As with the mining of any natural resource, the diamond mining has a significant impact on the environment. Mined diamonds—also known as blood diamonds—destroy local habitats and wildlife and compromise the wellbeing of laborers.

However, lab-created diamonds are inherently and significantly less detrimental to the environment as it takes considerably less energy to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to dig it out of the ground. In fact, it is actually in the interest of the growers to minimize the amount of energy they use in the process to save money and decrease their costs.

Lab grown diamonds display the exact same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds, along with the same fire, brilliance, and sparkle. They are real diamonds. Lab grown diamonds are impossible to differentiate from natural diamonds with the naked eye. The majority of diamond testers currently on the market will show your lab grown diamond is a  real diamond. Only expensive specialized equipment can distinguish earth diamonds from lab grown diamonds.

The Kosher Diamond Certification is a Kosher Diamonds guarantee which is two-pronged. Firstly, the Kosher Diamond Certification ensures that each one of our lab grown diamonds is factually 100% lab grown. Secondly, the Kosher Diamond Certification means that the lab grown diamond has passed the rigorous screening process we use at Kosher Diamonds to vet our lab grown diamond manufacturing sources to ensure the high quality and reputable sources of the stones is ethically and environmentally conscious.

Yes, just like a mined diamond, lab created diamonds can be insured.

A diamond may be mistakenly identified as a moissanite when using certain diamond testers due to their similarity in thermal conductivity. Professionals can easily distinguish between the two gems due to their differing refractive properties, with moissanites being double refractive and diamonds being single refractive.

Buying an engagement ring or diamond, regardless of origin, with the intent to sell it in the future is not a good investment. Many traditional jewelers tell consumers that lab grown diamonds have little to no resale value, but this could not be further from the truth. Most earth-mined diamonds have resale value, and most lab-created diamonds will have a similar resale value as well. Regardless of origin, either man-made or mined, all diamonds are priced using an internationally accepted pricing system. This system is known as the Rapaport pricing method. Resale values are based on a percentage of the rapaport pricing method.

Lab grown diamonds are more affordable, free of mining concerns, conflict-free, durable, brilliant and luxurious. What’s not to love? Expert gemologists can’t differentiate between mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds. Which means neither will anyone else!

Side-by-side, they’re one in the same. When you look at lab grown diamonds, they’re made of the exact same chemical structure as mined diamonds. The only difference between mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds (aside from the cost) is their origin.

After comparing lab diamonds vs. mined diamonds, it’s easy to see why lab grown diamonds are the superior choice.

Shop our products and see for yourself 🙂

We are excited to offer our customers monthly payment financing through Affirm. Payment can be made easily over 3, 6 or 12 months.

Subject to credit check and approval. Down payment may be required. For purchases under $100, limited payment options are available. Affirm loans are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC.

For any questions regarding Affirm, please refer to the article here: https://kosherdiamonds.com/about/frequently-asked-questions/affirm-financing/