You’ve probably come across a lot of misinformation about lab-grown diamonds that is driving you crazy. The reason is because the companies creating them are playing tug-of-war behind the scenes.
One company is telling their customers that cvd vs hpht is the better way to grow diamonds. And the other is saying that HPHT is the superior method.
Color
There are two main ways in which lab-grown diamonds are produced: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high pressure, high temperature (HPHT). Both methods are successful at creating diamonds that look identical to natural ones.
In the CVD process, a natural diamond seed is infused with gases under controlled temperature and pressure conditions. This creates diamonds that are 100% carbon.
While the CVD process is able to produce colorless diamonds, it still has its share of impurities. These impurities can affect the appearance of the stone and make it less desirable.
The HPHT diamonds process is also used to improve the color of diamonds. Using this method, natural diamonds can become colorless or yellow.
However, disreputable companies are spreading misinformation about which process is better – CVD or HPHT. This is because each company tries to benefit the most from their customers.
Clarity
The clarity of a lab grown diamond is determined by the manufacturing method used to create it. Both HPHT and CVD methods produce lab-grown diamonds that are optically, chemically, and physically identical to natural mined diamonds.
In the laboratory, a seed diamond is exposed to high temperature and pressure in a process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD). As carbon rains down from a plasma cloud, it adheres to the diamond seed crystal, forming a new, larger diamond that is 100% pure carbon.
Compared to the high heat and pressure involved in the HPHT process, CVD has a more modest procedure that requires little energy and equipment. As a result, it can be produced at a much lower cost than HPHT.
However, CVD diamonds can also be subjected to a blue hue that is caused by boron impurities within the growth chamber. This is why it is important to ask for a lab certificate before buying any lab-grown diamonds.
Carat
There are two main methods of creating lab diamonds: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT). While both are used to create colorless synthetic diamonds, they differ in how they grow.
The CVD process begins by putting a small diamond seed inside a chamber and heating it to 800 degrees Celsius. This heat breaks down the molecules of the gas, allowing pure carbon to adhere to the diamond seed crystal.
As the carbon atoms accumulate, they begin to form atomic bonds with the diamond seed crystal. Over time, the diamond grows to the desired size.
One thing to watch for when shopping for a lab-created diamond is inclusions. While graphitic and flux inclusions are common in both processes, they make no difference in the quality of your diamond.
Price
If you’re thinking of buying a diamond engagement ring, you may have been wondering which process to use – CVD or HPHT? Both methods produce lab-grown diamonds that are optically, chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds.
In the CVD method, a small diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases that are heated to 800 degrees Celsius. As the diamond seed grows, it forms a cubic shape with growth occurring in one direction only.
Conclusion
However, this process can create low-quality diamonds in a mass that have a grayish or brown tint (not desirable to most consumers). Because of this, many lab-grown diamond retailers will finish the process with HPHT to improve the color.
