Lab diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultivated diamonds, are created in the lab to resemble natural diamonds. Their popularity has skyrocketed over the past few years, but some people are still skeptical about their value and durability compared to natural diamonds.

The most common method of making a lab diamond is called chemical vapor deposition. In this process, the manufacturers begin with a tiny slice of a natural or pre-existing lab-created diamond that already has the crystalline diamond structure.

They usually refer to this slice as the diamond seed, which usually contains pure carbon. They then place the seed in a vacuum with carbon-rich gas and heat it to about 800 degrees Celsius. These conditions cause the carbon in the gas to assimilate into the seed, growing it to a desirable size, after which they cut and polish it.

Another method to make these diamonds is the high-pressure, high-temperature method. Unlike the previous method, this one simulates the process in which real diamonds are made. The manufacturers place natural graphite in a huge machine that uses extreme temperatures and pressure to crush the graphite, turning it into a diamond.

While many people refer to lab-created diamonds as fake, they look and feel like natural diamonds. Because their chemical properties are identical to natural diamonds, they have the same sparkle and do not get cloudy.

When grading the color in both diamonds, the ratings are mostly between G and J for nearly colorless diamonds. Diamonds graded between D and F are usually true colorless ones and very rare. The clarity grading is also the same for both, ranging from F1 (flawless) to I3 (included).

This makes it hard to differentiate the two by looking or touching. Lab-created diamonds are also as durable as natural diamonds because the carbon bonds are just as strong.

One thing that natural diamonds have that does not apply to lab-created diamonds is that they are unique. Finding a natural diamond that looks identical to another real diamond is hard.

This feature, plus the process of mining and polishing them make real diamonds more expensive. You can find lab-created diamonds for as low as 50% of the price of a natural diamond. This price will likely continue decreasing because it will become faster, easier, and cheaper to produce artificial diamonds as technology advances.

A lab diamond is the best option if you are looking for an engagement ring or any other diamond jewelry and are on a budget.