In a world where luxury meets innovation, man made diamond have emerged as a surprisingly popular alternative to natural diamonds. Throughout this generation, buyers and sellers in the diamond industry have witnessed a revolution where technology continues to advance thus the methods for diamond synthesis. There are more ways than ever to create man-made diamonds in an environment that is not only sensitive to the demands of customers but to the environment.
For a number of years, many have thought that man-made diamonds were mere imitations but not anymore. Today’s technology and the testimonies of thousands of buyers prove once and for all, man-made diamonds are in fact as real as any natural diamond. Read on https://www.rarecarat.com/blog/diamond-ring-tips/vvs-vs-vs-diamonds-rarecarat-com to discover just how many types of production methods there are and all the possibilities that come with them. Click here to learn more.
Man Made Diamond Synthesis Production Methods
Before delving into this, to further cement and erase any doubts, it is crucial that one understands the essence of how these lab diamonds are made. These synthetic diamonds are created in a controlled environment. In this “environment” or to be more specific, a capsule chamber, various elements are introduced to accurately replicate the conditions that any natural diamond is faced with from chemical, physical, and more all of which harm the environment and local communities. There are several methods with HTPT and CVD being the most popular.
High Pressure, High Temperature (HTPT)
One of the pioneering diamond synthesis methods in the lab diamond production world. HTPT or as some fondly call the “Earth’s Crucible” is a method that replicates the immense pressures of the earth that natural diamonds are exposed to as they mature, pounds per square’ inch of over 700,000, and high temperatures of over 2,000+ Celsius / 3,262 Fahrenheit.
Inside this growth chamber, many chemical elements are introduced from graphite, carbon atoms, and more. As they bond together, they form a layer, and over time it continue to layer on more chemical properties. The chamber is cooled off which will help the newly chemically-bonded carbon source diamond seed to solidify and as the crystal lattice starts to cool off, it becomes a rough diamond. Now, all that is required is that it be processed, the same as any natural diamond. The whole production will just be, a few hours or possibly several days.
Compared to the next diamond synthesis method (CVD), HTPT diamonds are available in a larger size that is clear. However, there is a slight drawback. During production, due to specific elements are introduced into the chamber. HTPT diamonds potentially may have a yellowish or brownish tint but this is easily remedied using a chemical solution that not only clears out the flaw but enhances the lab diamond.
Chemical Vapor’ Deposition (CVD)
CVD is a newer diamond synthesis method. The process is somewhat similar to HTPT in that it still uses a diamond seed (carbon source) but is a much more advanced method for man-made diamonds as it does not need extreme pressures or temperatures. But rather, it uses a chemical reaction to introduce carbon atoms onto that diamond seed. All this happens inside a chamber.
How CVD is used to create a lab diamond is relatively simple in that inside a vacuum chamber, a small slice of diamond’ seed is placed. The sealed chamber is then introduced with a mixture of gasses of hydrogen, carbon, methane, and more. This gas mixture will be heated to a high temperature of over 700 Celsius / 1,292 Fahrenheit, breaking down the carbon and forming a plasma. This will then be deposited onto the diamond seed and over time, layer by layer, a man made diamond crystal is created, ready for processing.
The production timeline for Chemical Vapor’ Deposition could take, a few days or potentially several weeks. It will only depend on how complex the lab diamond needs to be. To their credit, CVD diamonds have a distinct advantage over HTPT diamonds. Not only are CVD diamonds purer with fewer flaws but they come in a variety of colors, not just the standard colorless but CVD diamonds are available in green, blue, pink, or even other colors; it all depends on what the client wants. The chemical elements are relatively easy to introduce during production.