Written by The Diamond Producers Association
1) Laboratory-grown diamonds have essentially the same physical and chemical characteristics as natural diamonds, but they are not identical,
and they are easily detected.
Laboratory-grown diamonds are produced in 2-3 weeks using two different methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Each method leaves growth marks and telltale signs that are distinctive of an artificially produced diamond, this is how they can be identified using professional instruments. Moreover, most synthetic diamonds need to be color treated to correct distortions created during the industrial production process.
[Lab Grown Pressure Marks]
2) Laboratory-grown diamonds are produced in a matter of weeks, primarily in factories situated outside of the US, mostly in Asia.
Most laboratory-grown diamonds are not produced in the US but in China, India, and Singapore. There is a lot of investment in new production capacity in Asia today and the share of Asian producers is likely to increase further. Laboratory-grown diamond producers often make claims about their product being “eco-friendly,” “transparent,” and “sourced with integrity.” However, these claims are usually vague and unsubstantiated and the origin of the product is almost never disclosed.
3) Retail price continues to erode as the costs of production decline.
Production costs of laboratory-grown diamonds are driven almost entirely by electricity usage, which is why some producers move to regions where electricity costs are low. This explains why over time, as technology improves, production costs will continue to decline. In the case of color gemstones like rubies, sapphires or emeralds, the price of synthetic stones is about 10% of that of the natural stone.
Also important to know: due to economies of scale, the larger the synthetic diamond produced, the lower the cost per carat – a stark contrast to natural gemstones.
As an industrial product, a laboratory-grown diamond has no resale value and its price is falling rapidly.
[Price in $USD of 1ct Natural Diamond vs Synthetic; Source: Data Source: Natural and synthetic prices: Paul Zimnisky, www.paulzimnisky.com]
4) The carbon emissions for a one carat synthetic diamond are similar to, and sometimes greater than, those for an equivalent natural diamond.
When making comparisons with natural diamonds, synthetic diamond manufacturers often quote theoretical carbon emissions for synthetic diamonds that assume that they use 100% renewable energy. In reality, synthetic diamond production today primarily uses electricity generated by fossil fuels, mostly in China, India and Singapore. Rigorous comparisons require case by case analysis, depending on producer and country grid emission factors. Taking the example of a 1-ct synthetic diamond produced in Singapore using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method where a significant volume of the CVD synthetic diamonds are produced, the carbon emission per polished carat is approximately 40% higher than for natural polished diamonds.
[Carbon Emission Per Carat; Source: DPA Analysis]
5) A large majority of consumers do not consider laboratory-grown diamonds produced in a factory to be real diamonds because they are not formed naturally
in the Earth.
A Harris poll from May 2018 shows that 68% of US consumers believe that a laboratory-grown diamond produced in a factory is not a “real diamond.” Only 16% of respondents believe they are. Other surveys show that as they learn about the lack of inherent value of synthetic diamonds, fewer consumers consider them to celebrate important moments in their lives, even if a growing proportion consider them for fast fashion jewelry.
68% of US consumers believe that a laboratory-grown diamond produced in a factory is not a “real diamond” [Source: Harris Poll, 360 Study, for DPA]
Read Also: Five Essential Diamond Truths.
About The Diamond Producers Association (DPA)
The Diamond Producers Association is an international alliance of the world's leading diamond mining companies who are united in their commitment to best-in-class ethical and sustainable operations and transparent business practices. Together, DPA members represent the majority of the world diamond production. The DPA mission is to protect and promote the integrity and reputation of diamonds, and of the diamond industry.
For more information, please visit www.diamondproducers.com/diamond-truths-infographic.