As technology for creating diamonds through High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) processes has matured, the quality and characteristics of the resulting gems have improved dramatically. Today, HPHT diamonds match or even exceed the properties of naturally mined diamonds. Let's examine some key quality factors:
Cut - Well cut HPHT diamonds achieve the same light performance as natural diamonds. Precise cutting and polishing techniques highlight the fire, brilliance and scintillation to meet exacting standards for cuts like round brilliant, princess, cushion, emerald etc. The only limitation is that very large HPHT diamonds greater than 10 carats are uncommon.
Clarity - HPHT labs can grow very pure diamonds starting from refined graphite. This results in high clarity stones without internal imperfections in many cases matching the Flawless and Internally Flawless grades of natural diamonds. However, some blemishes can occur during growth leading to slightly lower clarity.
Color - With tightly controlled processes, HPHT diamonds achieve colorless to near colorless grades similar to top color natural diamonds. While the D-F colorless grades are most common, HPHT synthesis can also produce controlled amounts of color if desired. Fancy colored pink, blue and yellow HPHT diamonds exhibit vivid hues.
Carat - Starting from diamond seeds, HPHT diamonds can grow over weeks into large gems over 3 carats. The current limit is around 10 carats for top quality, high clarity stones. However, future advances may enable creation of giant HPHT diamonds rivalling exceptional natural diamonds.
So in terms of the 4Cs, optimized HPHT production enables diamonds with cut, clarity, color and carat qualities that are effectively as perfect as the highest grade natural diamonds. Even experienced jewelers find it nearly impossible to distinguish these scientifically created gems. HPHT has proven it can deliver optimal diamonds.
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