FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FINE JEWELLERY

Yes, diamond testers can detect lab-grown diamonds as genuine diamonds. Despite being created in a laboratory by scientists instead of forming in the earth's mantle, lab-grown diamonds possess identical chemical and optical characteristics as natural diamonds. Skilled gemologists are unable to differentiate between the two types of diamonds without the assistance of specialized equipment, which can detect subtle variations in trace elements and crystal formation that distinguish lab-grown diamonds from their mined counterparts.

Moissanite is not a lab-created diamond, as it is a distinct mineral and gemstone with unique physical properties and appearance, including a distinct hardness rating and visual characteristics.

We do not use moissanite in any of our pieces, including engagement rings.

Lab-grown diamonds can be produced using two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). While HPHT has been in use for a longer time, CVD is a newer and preferred technology to produce high-quality diamonds. We exclusively use top quality lab-grown diamonds that are grown using the CVD process.

Typically, it takes around a month to grow a 1-carat CVD diamond, but the growth period varies depending on the specific diamond.

The process of growing lab diamonds involves placing a small 'seed' diamond in a chamber and subjecting it to high temperatures, then introducing a carbon-rich gas mixture to the chamber. The gases are ionized to break down their molecular bonds, allowing the pure carbon to attach itself to the diamond seed. As the carbon builds up, it forms atomic bonds with the seed diamond, resulting in the growth of a new, larger diamond that is identical to natural diamonds.

Similar to natural diamonds, the market value of lab-grown diamonds may fluctuate over time. However, since lab-grown diamonds are a relatively new introduction to the market, there is more uncertainty regarding their future pricing compared to natural diamonds.

Moh understand the importance of being able to choose what is most important to you. Therefore, we encourage you to select the diamond that fits your budget and preferences when it comes to your engagement ring. Regardless of whether the stone is grown in a lab or not, we are committed to providing engagement rings and stones of exceptional quality.

Yes! Lab grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. Lab-created diamonds are indistinguishable from natural, earth-mined diamonds in terms of their chemical, molecular, and visual properties. They are produced in a laboratory environment, utilizing the same processes of heat and pressure that occur naturally in the earth's crust to create mined diamonds. Therefore, lab-grown diamonds are authentic diamonds, identical to their natural counterparts in every way.

Diamonds created in a laboratory are known by various names, including man-made diamonds, artisan-created artificial diamonds, synthetic diamonds, or cultured diamonds. When you come across any of these terms, you can be sure they refer to lab-grown diamonds. It's crucial to distinguish lab-grown diamonds from other gemstones that may resemble them, like Moissanite. While Moissanite is also often artificially produced, it has a distinct chemical composition from that of a diamond and is considered a diamond simulant, not a genuine diamond. Therefore, it's important to clarify the difference between these two types of gemstones.

Diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia, are alternatives to diamonds that lack the chemical and visual characteristics of natural or lab-grown diamonds. They also fall short in terms of durability and brilliance.

Yes, a lab-grown diamond will register as a genuine diamond when tested since it has the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. However, specialized equipment can differentiate between a lab-grown diamond and a naturally occurring diamond, and the diamond's certificate will specify its origin.

Certainly, a lab-grown diamond has the same longevity as a natural diamond. The composition of a lab-grown diamond is identical to that of a natural diamond, both of which score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, rendering them the toughest naturally occurring substances on earth. Therefore, they are highly resistant to scratching, abrasion, or breakage.

Compared to lab-grown diamonds, finding natural diamonds with the same level of purity can be difficult. Only 2% of natural diamonds have the equivalent level of purity as lab-grown diamonds (Type-IIa) composition.

A Type IIA diamond is considered to be the most chemically pure type of diamond, with exceptional optical transparency and making up less than 2% of naturally occurring diamonds.

All lab-grown diamonds are considered conflict-free since they are created in controlled laboratory environments using advanced technology, without any involvement from mining in conflict zones. Conversely, natural diamonds need to be carefully vetted to ensure they are conflict-free before being considered ethically sourced.

Lab-grown diamonds possess the same chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds, and the primary distinguishing factor between the two is their growth origin. While natural diamonds are mined from the earth's mantle, lab-grown diamonds are produced in a laboratory setting.

Even with the expertise of a gemologists, it is impossible to distinguish between the two types of diamonds with the naked eye, and lab-grown diamonds will register as genuine diamonds on a diamond tester.

Lab Grown Diamonds are cut in the same manner as natural mined diamonds.

The cut of a diamond is of utmost importance as it determines the light, scintillation, and brilliance of the stone. At Moh, we place great emphasis on identifying diamonds with the best cut, which are skilfully crafted by only the most talented diamond cutters.

Lab-grown diamonds produced through the CVD method typically undergo laser cutting to remove the rough outer edges of the crystal, followed by standard diamond polishing techniques.

During the CVD production process, crystals develop in layers, resulting in a rough crystal with a tabular shape. This particular shape can limit the options in faceting styles due to the narrow length to depth ratio of the crystal. When the table facet of the cut stone serves as the upper surface of the crystal, the cutter may face restrictions due to the small distance between the table and culet, which can limit the choice of faceted shape for stones over two carats in size.

We exclusively collaborate with expert diamond cutters who prioritize the beauty of the stone above its value or profit, ensuring that each diamond we offer is cut to perfection.

The colour of a diamond is a highly visible aspect that can be described as the degree of distinction between a diamond that appears exceptionally white, perfectly white, or one that displays a hint of yellow that becomes increasingly noticeable.

Lab diamonds are typically 40% to 60% cheaper than natural diamonds. This is because the process of creating a lab diamond is more efficient and cost effective than the process to mine a diamond.

Although Lab Grown Diamonds are referred to as synthetic diamonds, in reality, they are as pure as the natural ones. Lab Grown Diamonds consist of 100% carbon and in fact, they are grown from carbon seeds of already existing natural diamonds.

Not really! Unlike flawless Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite, Lab Diamonds, just like Natural Diamonds, typically have internal marks that gemologists call “inclusions.” These inclusions are a diamond’s birthmarks. Because Lab Diamonds are also crystal carbon, they have the same types of inclusions as Natural Diamonds, like feathers, clouds, and pinpoints.

Because of the way Lab Diamonds are made, certain Lab Grown Diamonds have small metallic inclusions and flux-like inclusions that mined diamonds do not. Also, due to the way some lab grown diamonds are laser engraved with their inscription, some lab diamonds also show reflections of their black certification number.

Of course! I would love to discuss the benefits of Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds with you and help you pick the perfect stone!

Kindly book an appointment online or in-store to meet with our diamond & design experts.