By Mary What is the difference between lab grown and mined diamonds is a question coming up more frequently as lab grown diamonds become increasingly more popular. At T. H. Baker we have a fantastic stock of both mined and lab grown diamonds available to purchase.
The main difference in the types of stone are essentially one comes from the earth and the other is scientifically manufactured. Creating lab diamonds is still a very new technology, however its popularity is growing within the younger generation due to the more ethical process of creation.
The composition of a lab grown diamond is identical to that of an earth mined diamond. There are two ways of creating lab grown diamonds chemical vapour deposition and high pressure high temperature and both methods are very effecting in creating brilliant quality authentic diamonds.
Chemical vapour disposition (CVP) diamonds are created by a minuscule slice of diamond is placed into a chamber and is exposed to carbon rich gas and then being amped to incredibly high temperatures. The carbon gas ionises and the particles stick to the original diamond piece before crystallising into a fully formed diamond.
The high pressure high temperature method consists of a method where metal is used. Pure carbon is pressed with a metal cube, and then exposed to immense heat and pressure through electric pulses. The carbon breaks down and crystallises into a diamond. Any metal traces are unlikely to be visible to the naked eye.
The price to purchase a lab grown diamond in comparison to a mined diamond is one of the most significant elements when comparing the two. Lab diamonds can be 50% to 60% cheaper than that of mined diamonds. The main difference is due to supply, natural supply is significantly more limited to that of lab grown which is one of the reasons why they are cheaper in price.
Mined diamonds are created in three different ways, alluvial, pipe mining and open pit mining and then marine mining. Alluvial diamond mining occurs on beaches and riverbeds. The most common form of mining for diamonds is pipe mining; pipe mining uses the same concept of alluvial mining but allows the miner to strike closer to the source through the kimberlite pipes. Open pit mining is used to remove layers of rock and sand just above the kimberlite rocks. The third method is marine mining where diamonds are extracted from the ocean floor.
As naturally sourced diamonds are taken from the earth, the popularity of lab grown diamonds is growing due to them being more ethically sourced. Due to the extreme processes that take place to extract diamonds from the earth, lab grown diamonds are seen as the more ethical choice when it comes to purchasing diamonds.
Explore our amazing collection of both mined and lab grown diamonds available to purchase here at T. H. Baker. If you want to know more about our diamond collections then head online or in store now to find the perfect diamond for you whatever your price range.