Lab Diamonds HPHT How They Compare With Natural Diamonds
A diamond can take billions of years to grow deep underground, or it can spend several weeks inside another kind of equipment. This is because the outcome of these two growth processes is the same, but the origin of such diamonds will be completely different.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) is one of the methods of producing laboratory-grown diamonds. If you are a jeweller in Singapore, learning how lab diamonds HPHT differ from natural diamonds can be beneficial if you intend to compare engagement rings, certificates and prices.
Lab Diamonds HPHT represent real diamonds created in laboratory conditions capable of replicating some of the extreme pressure and temperatures occurring underground. These gemstones have the same general chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds.
The important factors for the buyer to consider are not the place of growth but the quality of cut, independent assessment of this diamond’s quality and origin and the provision of correct information by the seller.
How HPHT Diamonds Grow Inside a Laboratory
The process of diamond growth begins when a small diamond seed is placed in a growth chamber. Carbon source and metallic materials are introduced into the chamber to initiate the creation of favourable conditions for diamond growth.
Such equipment is capable of withstanding pressure of 5-6 GPa and temperatures of 1,300-1,600 degrees Celsius. Carbon is then allowed to dissolve in the molten metal and crystallize around the seed.
After a while, a bigger crystal is formed.
Once the growth process is complete, the diamond is taken out, cleaned and examined. It can then be cut and polished to create an engagement ring, pendant or a pair of earrings.
The production of lab diamonds HPHT requires highly specialized machinery and a precise balance of temperature and pressure. A minor error during the growth process can lead to the formation of a coloured diamond with unusual streaks.
HPHT Vs CVD: What Changes for the Buyer?
Not all laboratory-grown diamonds are created equal.
The second method of production is known as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Unlike HPHT, CVD utilizes carbon-based gases placed in a low-pressure chamber for the creation of diamonds without exposing them to such high pressures.
Both processes are capable of producing high-quality materials for fine jewellery.
| Feature | HPHT Diamonds | CVD Diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Growth method | High pressure and high temperature | Carbon bearing gases in a low pressure chamber |
| Carbon source | Usually a solid carbon source | Carbon-containing gas |
| Growth environment | High pressure apparatus | Controlled deposition chamber |
| Possible characteristics | Metallic inclusions and distinctive growth features | Layered growth features and possible strain patterns |
| Finished jewellery | Rings, earrings, necklaces | Rings, earrings, necklaces |
Lab diamonds HPHT and CVD are not of a different quality. If a diamond has been cut perfectly, it will dazzle anyone who looks at it. If the cut of a laboratory-grown diamond is poor, it cannot be considered a good purchase.
Lab Diamonds: Are They Real Diamonds?
They certainly are. lab created diamonds are diamonds, period. Their structure consists of carbon atoms with the same configuration as natural diamonds. They have the same hardness, measured in 10 on the Mohs scale.
This rules out such popular diamond imitations as cubic zirconia and moissanite, which have a significantly different structure and composition. Still, laboratory-grown diamonds are not the same as natural diamonds, and there is a reason for that.
The presence of characteristic inclusions and colour zoning can be detected with the help of advanced gemmological equipment. A jeweller cannot determine the origin of a diamond merely by looking at it without appropriate tools.
In Singapore, where many people shop online, an independent laboratory assessment becomes especially relevant, as photographs fail to capture all the nuances and give away critical information about the origin and quality of a diamond.
Lab Diamonds HPHT: Why Cut More Than Growth Method Matters
Two diamonds of the same carat weight and colour grade can look significantly different when set in a ring.
This depends largely on how the diamond has been cut. The precision of the cut, the proportions and the symmetry of a diamond determine how much light it reflects and refracts, thereby creating that mesmerizing sparkle.
A heavier diamond is not necessarily better than a slightly smaller but more symmetrical stone.
Lab diamonds HPHT should be compared on the basis of their cut, as well as colour, clarity and carat weight. In the case of round brilliant cuts, a more detailed analysis can be made when considering the cut quality. With regard to other shapes, such as oval, pear, cushion or emerald, attention should be paid to the proportion and appearance.
What Singapore Buyers Should Check Before Paying
A lot of online shopping nowadays is done in Singapore, where it is possible to compare the options at different jewellery stores. Whether online or in a brick-and-mortar store, attention should be paid to the grading documents when choosing a diamond for an engagement ring or a pair of stud earrings.
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are two well-known organizations that assess the quality of diamonds, albeit with slightly different approach and sets of services.
GIA’s current lab diamond quality assessment uses Premium and Standard classifications for eligible colourless to near-colourless diamonds instead of grades found on natural diamonds.
You should look at the report number, dimensions, method of growth and any after-growth treatment. If there is a laser inscription, the jeweller may want to check it for you.
If you are a customer interested in Novita Diamonds Singapore, exploring the diamond specifications and enquiring about the certification is a good idea. It is also wise not to fixate on just one stone in your price range but to compare different options.
Take note of the price in SGD, whether it includes the ring setting or not, the Goods and Services Tax and any additional costs involved, such as resizing.
Does HPHT Treatment Mean that a Diamond Was Grown Using HPHT?
This is an aspect that can be misleading.
HPHT denotes a growth method as well as a treatment. After the growth process is complete, a diamond can be subjected to further treatment to improve its quality. A diamond that has been grown using CVD technology can receive HPHT treatment, but it will not make it any less of a CVD diamond.
This distinction is important, especially when viewing a certificate.
According to GIA Research, post-growth treatment in CVD diamonds is actually commonplace among those submitted for laboratory examination.
A buyer should carefully look at a separate indication of the growth method and treatment undergone by the diamond.
Lab Diamonds HPHT: Inclusions and Colours
Despite highly controlled conditions, laboratory-grown diamonds can have inclusions or colour variations.
HPHT diamonds may have metallic inclusions caused by the presence of metals used in their growth. A trained eye can also detect colour zoning, unusual fluorescence and phosphorescence. These peculiarities are not always visible without the aid of a specialist’s equipment.
Lab Diamonds HPHT can also be found in a variety of colours. The addition of nitrogen and boron can alter the colour of a crystal. Although high-quality colourless HPHT diamonds have been made possible by modern technologies, every stone still requires its own assessment.
Lab Diamonds HPHT and Engagement Rings in Singapore
An engagement ring is worn all the time, which is why potential buyers should be aware that the choice of a ring setting, metal, size and shape of a diamond can affect the overall look. A round brilliant cut set in a solitaire mounting will look different in a halo mounting or with side stones. In Singapore, local jewellers offer a variety of choices for consumers interested in buying a lab created diamond engagement ring.
Perhaps a customer looking at a one-carat round diamond cut can change to a slightly larger oval stone within the same budget. It may look different because of its elongated shape, but a round brilliant cut is a more traditional option.
Novita Diamonds is an appropriate place for a Singapore-based customer to start their search for lab diamonds HPHT and engagement ring settings. Before making the final purchase, it is advisable to find out the availability of a certain certificate, the details of the setting, ringsize, conditions of after-sales service and other details.
When it comes to everyday wear, the choice of a ring setting and the correct size are not less important than the beauty of a lab diamond HPHT.
Questions Worth Asking Before Choosing Lab Diamonds HPHT
A quick discussion with a jeweller can help clarify some of the most common questions for those who have already decided on the type of ring they want to choose for an engagement.
It is essential to ask whether a lab-grown diamond HPHT has been treated and if there is an independent laboratory assessment. A buyer should also ask to see a diamond under different lights, as assessing its quality under bright showroom lights can be misleading.
When purchasing online, a customer should request a video, the necessary documentation and written guarantees. For a Singapore-based buyer comparing Novita Diamonds Singapore with other jewellery stores, such details as the place and date of origin of a diamond, the quality of cut and its suitability for a particular ring setting are of particular interest.
