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Synthetic diamonds are chemically identical to conventional diamonds, but are grown in a laboratory over several days. They have potential for higher quality, are used in industrial manufacturing, and are a great alternative for consumers concerned with conflict diamonds. They should not be confused with fake diamonds.
Cultured or synthetic diamonds are gemstones that are grown in a laboratory over the course of several days, rather than being formed underground in a process that takes millions of years. Although some consumers dismiss these stones as fake, they are in fact chemically identical to conventional diamonds. Because a laboratory setting allows for great control, synthetic diamonds have the potential to be of much higher quality than those mined from the earth. They are less likely to have inclusions, and many fancy diamonds are synthetic, because the process allows for the easy introduction of impurities that will create rich color.
The first synthetic diamond was created in 1893 by Henri Moissan, using a high-pressure, high-temperature process. By heating and compressing carbon, he successfully created an artificial diamond, even though it was quite small. This industrial process is now widely used in many laboratories around the world, although gem-quality stones tend to be made using a chemical vapor deposition process. These diamonds are grown in a low pressure environment with the use of a substrate for the gem to grow on.
Industrial manufacturing has taken advantage of the stable quality of synthetic diamonds for several decades. Like conventional diamonds, they are extraordinarily strong and can be used to cut a wide variety of materials or be integrated into drills and grinders. The electronics industry is also interested in the potential uses of diamonds as semiconductors. Most of the big manufacturers are focused on filling the need for industrial diamonds, rather than gemstones.
Gem-quality synthetic stones are also growing in popularity. For consumers concerned with blood or conflict diamonds, they are a great alternative option to conventional diamonds. Also, synthetics tend to be cheaper and offer a wider range of color options, carat sizes, and cuts. Currently, these diamonds are usually clearly identified at the time of sale, and some diamond grading companies will not grade them, although they will provide basic facts about the stones, such as their cut, carat size, and color.
Synthetic diamonds should not be confused with fake diamonds, such as cubic zirconia. Fake diamonds are made of substances that look like diamonds, but do not have the same mineral properties, structure, and chemical formula. Although fake diamonds may be perfectly suitable for some jewelry, they are not used in industrial processes because they lack the strength of real diamonds. While it can be difficult to tell the difference between a synthetic and a natural diamond, it’s very easy to spot fakes under a jeweler’s loupe.
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