In today’s Jewelry industry the lab-grown diamonds are gaining high popularity day by day. But the concern which is stuck in my head “how to identify the diamonds are lab-created or mined?” Well, this can only be identified by the gemmologists or in a gemmological lab.
Now, some people might tell you that the lab-grown diamonds are like imitations or simulants. But that is not true!! As imitations like synthetic moissanite or cubic zirconia may look like a diamond but they are not because they have different physical and chemical properties. As I have already said, this difference can be recognized by the trained gemmologists and the lab-grown diamonds are harder in detecting with the naked eye.
How Can You Tell if a Diamond is Lab Created?
Did you know!! GIA has studied extensively over the past 30 years on the lab-grown diamonds. This is how they know to recognize a lab-grown diamond or a natural diamond. We already know, that the lab-grown diamonds are created in labs and have identical correspond closely to the natural diamonds.
Generally, the trained gemmologists identify the lab-created diamonds by using the standard gem-testing equipment. Whereas, the identification of diamond testing is done by using advanced scientific instruments by GIA. We can say that GIA has a large database on identifying the gemmological properties of all kinds of diamonds.
We can simply say that this is an advanced technology of identification and this is the new technique for growing diamonds in the lab which are almost identical to the mined diamonds. Before you continue with this article, if you are not familiar with the lab-grown diamonds then you must first read the introduction to the lab-grown diamonds.
Now you know that the lab-grown diamonds are identical to the natural diamonds. When we say diamond simulants, they can be identified as they are not real diamonds. Diamond simulants are the Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia (CZ). But, when we say lab-created diamonds it is hard to identify with the mined diamonds because the lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical structure and physical properties as the natural diamonds.
Lab-grown Diamonds are Identical to Mined Diamonds
Now, the confusion is, how can we differentiate the lab-grown diamond to the mined diamonds? So, there are ways by which we can distinguish the difference. Lab-grown diamonds or the mined diamonds are visually identical, even if you take both of the diamonds under the magnification test it will be hard to identify. So the best option that you have is to take a test of lab-grown diamonds by testing through highly-specialized machines. Magnetic testing can also bring success to find the difference.
Important Revelation
The very first thing that we have to understand is the lab-grown diamonds are clearly to be man-made. But, it is important to know that the lab-grown manufacturers are legitimate and trustworthy organizations. And, some manufacturers even mark the lab-grown diamonds with the laser. But the scariest part is, non-disclosed lab-grown diamonds are sold as the mined diamonds in some of the Jewelry industry.
Ways That You Can Perform To Identify the Lab-Created Diamonds and Natural Diamonds
Before we start with the ways, there are two different ways to create diamonds in labs.
CVD
CVD process is a new process that has several other advantages and also uses less power. This processing method is an uncommon way of production.
HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature):
HPHT is a common process for manufacturing diamonds as it is the older process.
1: Type IIa Test Machine:
There are two types of classification Type I & Type II. Then the further broken types are Type Ia, Type Ib, Type IIa, and Type IIb. Fortunately, there are the tools available that can detect that the diamond that you have is whether lab-grown or mined, or is it Type IIa diamond.
Naturally, the Type IIa can be found only 2% of all-natural diamonds. Whereas, the quality of the lab-grown diamonds is mostly Type IIa. So, if your diamond is Type IIa, then congratulations! It is the lab-grown diamond you have.
However, the gemmologists use the Type IIa test to certify the lab-grown diamonds. But, while performing the test the diamond needs to be completely loose. But still, there is no such 100% conclusion whether the diamond that you have is the lab-grown or mined because there are lab-grown diamonds which has the types than Type IIa, and there are also natural diamonds which are Type IIa.
2: Magnet Test:
Well, we can apply the magnetic test as the man-made diamonds have a trace amount of Nickel or Iron as they are created with the HPHT process. This Nickle and Iron are left inside the cluster as inclusions and these inclusions are the reason which causes the diamond to be drawn towards a magnet.
The weakness of magnetic testing:
- The diamonds which are below .5 carats are less magnetic attraction than the diamonds which are above 05 carats.
- Not all HPHT diamonds will be noticeable to the magnetic attraction.
- CVD diamonds are magnetically motionless as they are created through different technology, unlike the mined diamonds.
3: UV Radiation & Photoluminescence Spector’s-copy:
To get the sure-shot conclusion on whether the diamond is lab-grown or mine, you can send it to specialized labs for testing. GIA has machines and the technology by which you can get 100% assurance.
The specialized machines work by using specific types of radiation and analyses the output of the diamonds. As the results will be a certification whether or not it’s a lab-grown diamond.
4: Laser Inscriptions:
The lab-grown diamonds often have small inscriptions that will be incredibly girdled with the laser and labels in the girdles of the lab-grown diamonds. You’ll need at least 20x or more magnification to see this inscription. This is the easiest part by which you can understand the Lab-grown diamonds.
5: Fluorescence of the Diamond:
The geologists use some specific radiations on the diamonds which causes the diamond to fluoresce or glow. The fluorescence is different as the lab-grown diamonds tend to be brighter than the mined diamonds. Most commonly, the lab-diamonds which are manufacture through HPHT will fluorescence the off-blue shade. Whereas, the lab-grown diamonds which are manufacture with CVD will fluorescence the bright orange shade.
6: Growth Patterns:
Diamonds have grain patterns in them much like the woods. So, the operator looks for the growth patterns while the diamond is still with the fluorescence and under magnification. Although, the growth patterns are indicative of the lab-grown diamonds.
The same growth pattern will not be able to see in both mine diamonds and lab-grown diamonds as they both are form in different ways. But, there will be some specific growth patterns in lab-grown diamonds which can be confirmed by the advanced machines.
7: Phosphorescence of a Diamond:
The UV waves that were used to create the fluorescence will be stopped to see that if there is any light emitting from the diamond if it does then it’s the phosphorescence.