Diamonds: Lab versus real?
Real diamonds are created by a geological process; lab-created diamonds are produced by a technological process. Lab-created stones have become a popular, cost-effective alternative to real diamonds, providing the sought-after sparkle and beauty at a much lower price.
History
The first attempts to create diamonds in the lab began in 1797, but the earliest successes came in 1879 and 1893. The first commercial success was achieved in 1954, using a belt press to produce the necessary high pressure and temperature.
Types
Lab-created diamonds used as gemstones are manufactured using the HPHT or the CVP methods. HPHT uses various presses to supply requisite pressure and temperature; CVP uses a hydrocarbon chemical gas mixture.
Properties
Real diamonds are assessed according to cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Lab-created diamonds can be chemically, physically and optically identical, but might be identified using spectroscopy with different wavelengths.
Colors
Lab-created diamonds are available in yellow and blue. Unlike real diamonds, they are rarely colorless. Other colors such as pink or green are achieved through irradiation.
Cost
Lab-created diamonds are significantly cheaper than real ones. A 3-carat diamond will retail for approximately $40,000 as of August 2009, while a lab-created stone of the same weight will cost only $600.
Tags: Lab-created diamonds, pressure temperature, real diamonds
