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What are Artificial Diamonds?

S. Mithra
S. Mithra

Artificial diamonds, while chemically identical to mined diamonds, are created by engineers in a laboratory. The introduction of large, feasible diamonds grown artificially has set off a heated controversy about the advantages, disadvantages, and strategies associated with these new gems. As more people invest in growing diamonds, others are concerned about their impact on the international diamond industry.

Many people believe that the name "artificial" diamonds is somewhat of a misnomer. These gems are not imposters such as cubic zirconia, glass, or quartz. Some prefer alternative names such as cultured, grown, laboratory, or man-made diamonds, similar to the words used for pearls. At the crystalline level, there are no appreciable differences between the dazzling gems that emerge from the ground and those that emerge from a vacuum chamber in terms of cut, clarity, or color.

Artificial chocolate diamonds.
Artificial chocolate diamonds.

Engineers have long been able to create tiny shards of diamonds for industrial use. Diamonds are the hardest substances on earth, so they can cut through metals easily. For this reason, industrial saws are often outfitted with chipped or dust diamonds. But only in 2004 did companies announce their success at developing methods of producing cultivated diamonds large enough to be used on rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry.

Artificial diamonds are often made from cubic zirconia.
Artificial diamonds are often made from cubic zirconia.

So far, there are two reliable methods of making artificial diamonds large enough for jewlery. One uses a "seed" of a smaller diamond and puts additional molten graphite (a form of coal) under enormous pressure and temperature until it is added to the crystalline structure and makes the seed larger. Another method, called chemical vapor deposition, CVD, creates a chamber where tiny pieces of diamond precipitate and condense together, like ice crystals, in layers to form a solid deposit. These specimens can easily be colored and usually have no imperfections.

Artificial diamonds can be used to replace the need for silicon in microchips.
Artificial diamonds can be used to replace the need for silicon in microchips.

Certified geologists have trouble distinguishing mined diamonds from their manufactured counterparts. Some people believe the strict line between the origins of the stones is not important. Others maintain that consumers want the real thing, and will not settle for anything artificial because it is not as special, valuable, or traditional.

Another side points out that a monopoly on diamonds has artificially inflated their value, as well as contributed to ideal monetary equivalents when exchanging weapons and slave labor. This perspective views the sale of artificial diamonds as a humanitarian alternative.

Some people believe that artificial diamonds aren't special, valuable, or traditional.
Some people believe that artificial diamonds aren't special, valuable, or traditional.

Also, it is noteworthy that even if artificial diamonds don't replace mined diamonds in jewelry, they will almost certainly replace silicon in microchips. This stone is very difficult to overheat or melt. Engineers are already developing the next generation of super-fast computers using artificial diamonds.

Discussion Comments

SpecialBug

I don't believe lab created diamonds will ever replace mined diamonds in sales. Most people will be unable to get beyond the idea, that cultured diamonds are artificial or fake diamonds. But, the article says the two are exactly the same and even gemologists have difficulty telling them apart. So, what's the problem?

Tufenkian925

I think that investing in these homegrown products is a helpful way to take power out of the hands of third-world tyrants who oppress their own people using the money we spend to buy expensive products from them, such as diamonds and oil.

anon18303

The best thing to do is buy a reliable diamond tester. One that can separate moissanite, CZ's, glass, quartz and real diamonds.

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    • Artificial chocolate diamonds.
      By: Gnel Karapetyan
      Artificial chocolate diamonds.
    • Artificial diamonds are often made from cubic zirconia.
      By: tom
      Artificial diamonds are often made from cubic zirconia.
    • Artificial diamonds can be used to replace the need for silicon in microchips.
      By: Edelweiss
      Artificial diamonds can be used to replace the need for silicon in microchips.
    • Some people believe that artificial diamonds aren't special, valuable, or traditional.
      By: stockelements
      Some people believe that artificial diamonds aren't special, valuable, or traditional.
    • Some women don't mind diamonds created in a lab, but others would be offended by a proposal with one.
      By: Halfpoint
      Some women don't mind diamonds created in a lab, but others would be offended by a proposal with one.
    • Synthetic diamonds are chemically identical to real diamonds, but are created in laboratories.
      By: adimas
      Synthetic diamonds are chemically identical to real diamonds, but are created in laboratories.