You can buy Lab diamonds at any time

Lab grown diamond is a large single crystal of gem-quality diamond that meets certain standards of color, weight and purity in man-made diamonds. Lab diamonds differ from natural diamonds only in their growth environment, while the chemical composition, physical and chemical properties and optical properties are exactly the same.

Lab diamonds are real diamonds and cannot be distinguished by the naked eye. Only a professional with professional equipment can distinguish whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown.

The counterpart to the real diamond is the imitation diamond, which has a large difference in physical and optical properties, so most imitation diamonds can be distinguished with the naked eye. The chemical composition of moissanite is SiC, and its dispersion is significantly lower than that of diamond, so it does not have the special "fire" appearance of diamond; the chemical composition of zircon is ZrO2, and its refractive index is lower than that of diamond, so it does not have the transparent appearance of diamond.

The evaluation criteria for lab diamonds follow the 4Cs of natural diamonds, namely Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat. At present, authoritative international diamond grading institutions include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the Belgian High Diamond Council (HRD), and the European Gemological Institute Laboratory (EGL), while domestic authoritative institutions include the National Jewelry and Jade Quality Supervision and Inspection Center (NGTC) and the Gemological Institute of China University of Geosciences (GIC). The certificates and evaluation standards of each institution differ, but they all fall within the 4C framework, taking IGI's evaluation standards as an example.

The carat weight is the most direct indicator that affects the price, followed by the closer the color is to colorless (D color), the purer the clarity, and the more perfect the cut, the more expensive it is. Common statements such as "diamonds above 1 carat are collectible, those below 1 carat are broken diamonds" reflect the price difference between large and small carat diamonds. Even the same carat of diamonds, due to differences in color, clarity, cut, the price can be as much as double the difference.

Lab diamonds are synthesized by high temperature and pressure (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods. Due to the limitations of the process, the clarity and color of lab diamonds are not yet colorless (D-color) and free of inclusions (IF), and as with natural diamonds, there is currently a wide range of prices for different quality lab diamonds. Lab diamonds sell for roughly 20-35% of the price of natural diamonds.

In terms of the end-consumer market, the current global penetration rate of lab diamonds is 10%. The United States is the largest consumer market for lab diamonds, with a market share of nearly 80% and a penetration rate of 20%. With the promotion of cultivated diamond brands Diamond Foundry, Lightbox, Diama, etc., the acceptance of lab diamonds in the U.S. market has been very high, and the concept of cost-effective and green lab diamonds has penetrated into the hearts of American consumers. Chinese consumers' awareness and acceptance of lab diamonds is still relatively low. Let's wait and see if lab diamonds will become the mainstream of diamond consumption in the future.