FAQ Are Cultured Diamonds real diamonds? Yes. Cultured diamonds are diamonds grown under laboratory conditions and share the identical optical, chemical, and physical properties of earth grown diamonds. These properties include unequaled hardness, fire, brilliance, and scintillation, as those produced by nature 100’s of kilometers below the earth’s surface. The only difference is where they are grown. What is a Cultured Diamond? A cultured diamond is a diamond grown in a prepared medium of temperature and pressure similar to those conditions that prevail beneath the earth’s surface when diamonds form. Carbon, in the form of graphite, is present. The carbon liquefies and is deposited atom by atom, layer by layer on a tiny diamond “seed” in the crystalline structure of a diamond. Cultured diamonds have the same physical, chemical and optical properties of mined diamonds. Both are grown within a matter of days; however mined diamonds take millions of years to be found and extracted from the earth. The rough cultured diamond undergoes the same processes of cutting and polishing as a mined diamond. Cultured, lab-grown, lab-created? All these terms are correct terminology for laboratory grown diamonds as they are grown in a laboratory in a prepared medium of temperature and pressure. Cultured or synthetic? The primary meaning of the term “synthetic” is “something resulting from synthesis” or “made by chemical synthesis”. “Synthesis” in turn means a “combination of components to form a connected whole” or “the production of chemical compounds by reaction from simpler materials”. In order for something to be described as “synthetic” it must result from or be made by “synthesis”. Synthesis involves the combination of different components to form a whole or a reaction of simpler material to form a chemical compound. No synthesis takes place in the growth process of cultured diamonds as there is no combination or reaction of different materials. Diamond is composed of carbon only as opposed to other precious stones such as ruby that are a compound of different elements. It is therefore argued that to refer to a laboratory grown diamond as “synthetic” is both misleading and factually incorrect. The term “cultured” is defined in the Merriam - Webster online dictionary as “grown within a prepared medium”. Cultured diamonds are grown in a prepared medium of temperature and pressure that mimics the conditions in which diamonds form deep below the earth’s surface.
Will a cultured diamond test positive on a diamond tester? Yes. A diamond-tester will confirm that this is a real diamond. How hard is a cultured diamond? Cultured diamonds rate 10 or 10+ on the Mohs scale. The 10+ aspect refers to previous findings by the GIA and others that lab-grown diamonds are slightly harder and less brittle than mined diamonds. This can be as a result of ideal nitrogen dispersion in lab-grown diamonds, therefore forming a perfect crystal structure. Is it another simulant of a natural diamond like Cubic Zirconium, moissanite etc? No. Cubic Zirconium, moissanite, fianit, and Yttrium Zirconium Oxide (YZrO2) are not diamonds but are simulants trying to duplicate the visual properties of real diamonds. What is the importance of cultured diamonds in the current diamond consumer market? Gem quality mined diamonds are generally white in colour. Cultured diamonds are available in intense fancy colours that match the most spectacular found in nature. The introduction of fancy colour cultured diamonds adds a new dimension to the world of diamond jewellery and jewellery design. The fact is that the availability of affordable intense fancy colour diamonds is an opportunity to the diamond jewellery industry, not a threat. What colours are available? Currently cultured diamonds are produced in yellow and orange. Blue, green and pink diamonds are in a development phase and are available in limited quantities. How many carats are being produced? Cultured diamonds are a rare reality. The supply of the product is extremely limited - a few thousand carats per annum compared to the 100 million carats of gem quality mined diamonds. How will I know it is a cultured diamond and its quality? Cultured diamonds are diamonds of known origin. The unique number, laser inscribed on the girdle of each diamond, enables the origin of that diamond to be traced back to the laboratory in which it was grown thereby ensuring supply chain integrity. As with mined diamonds, a certificate accompanies all stones sold. What is the Cultured Diamond Foundation? The Cultured Diamond Foundation is an international body established to ensure that the highest ethical standards prevail within the cultured diamond industry and will provide an objective source of information to both industry and consumer. One of the services which will be provided by CDF will be to grade cultured stones. The Foundation will ensure full disclosure of the nature of the product and issue authentication and grading reports on cultured diamonds. Each diamond graded by the Foundation is laser inscribed on the girdle with the words “cultured diamond”, the Foundation logo and a unique number that enables the diamond to be traced back to the laboratory in which it was grown. How will I know it is a cultured diamond and its quality? Cultured diamonds are diamonds of known origin. The unique number, laser inscribed on the girdle of each diamond, enables the origin of that diamond to be traced back to the laboratory in which it was grown thereby ensuring supply chain integrity. As with mined diamonds, a certificate accompanies all stones sold. What is the Cultured Diamond Foundation The? Cultured Diamond Foundation is an international body established to ensure that the highest ethical standards prevail within the cultured diamond industry and will provide an objective source of information to both industry and consumer. One of the services which will be provided by CDF will be to grade cultured stones. The Foundation will ensure full disclosure of the nature of the product and issue authentication and grading reports on cultured diamonds. Each diamond graded by the Foundation is laser inscribed on the girdle with the words “cultured diamond”, the Foundation logo and a unique number that enables the diamond to be traced back to the laboratory in which it was grown.