LAB GROWN DIAMOND GUIDE
Every Gleam Adorn lab grown diamond is a real, independently certified diamond. This guide answers the questions buyers ask most, so you can choose with confidence.
THE 4C's AT A GLANCE
WHAT ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in a controlled laboratory instead of being mined. They have the same chemistry, hardness and sparkle as mined diamonds.
There are two common growing methods. HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) copies the heat and pressure of the earth's mantle around a tiny diamond seed. CVD (chemical vapor deposition) grows the crystal layer by layer from carbon-rich gas, using far less pressure.
Both produce pure crystallized carbon, rated 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Each rough crystal is then cut and polished like a mined stone, and graded on the same 4Cs scale by independent labs.
SIGNATURE LAB DIAMOND RINGS
Cyndy - Emerald Diamond
Cherilynn - Marquise Diamond
Vinnie - Oval Diamond
Karline - Pear Diamond
Karline - Round Diamond
Karline - Oval Diamond
Zoyla - Round Diamond
Zoyla - Pear Diamond
DIAMOND SHAPES
Shape is the outline of the diamond, and it is a matter of taste. Round is the classic; oval, emerald, pear, cushion and radiant each give a different look.
Shape is not the same as cut. Cut is how well the diamond sparkles. Elongated shapes like oval and pear tend to look larger for their weight, while step cuts like emerald have a clean, glassy look.
CUT
Cut is how well a diamond's proportions, symmetry and polish return light. It is the most important of the 4Cs because it controls brilliance, fire and sparkle.
A well-cut diamond sends light back through the top. A poorly cut one lets light leak out the sides or bottom and can look dull, even when color and clarity are perfect. Cut is not the shape of the stone.
Our standard
Our round brilliant diamonds are all excellent cut. Fancy shapes have excellent polish and symmetry.
CARAT
Carat is a diamond's weight, not its size. One carat equals 200 milligrams, divided into 100 points.
Price rises with carat weight because larger diamonds are rarer, but two stones of equal weight can have very different values depending on cut, color and clarity. Lab grown diamonds cost less per carat, so many people choose a larger stone than they first planned.
Our standard
Every size meets the same cut, color and clarity grades, so you never trade quality for size.
CLARITY
Clarity measures the tiny natural features, called inclusions, inside a diamond. Most inclusions in the VS range and above cannot be seen without a loupe.
In lab grown diamonds, inclusions can come from metal traces in the HPHT process or minerals in the CVD method. The scale runs from Flawless through VVS, VS and SI to Included.
Our standard
Our diamonds range from VVS1 to VS2, balancing exceptional quality and value.
COLOR
Color grades how white a diamond looks, from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). It is not the colored flashes of light, which are called fire.
Colorless diamonds look icy white and shine in white gold or platinum. Once set in a ring, neighboring grades are very hard to tell apart.
Our standard
We work with D–G diamonds, so every stone looks bright and white.
Natural Diamonds vs Lab Grown Diamonds
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are forms of crystallised carbon. They share essentially the same physical, chemical and optical properties. Their key differences are their origin, formation process and environmental and economic considerations.
*Gleam Adorn only supply diamonds that are conflict free and carbon neutral.
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
The best way to begin is to be well informed. Our team gives you the education and honest advice to decide, whether you prefer a natural or a lab grown diamond. There is no wrong answer, and we are here to guide you at every step.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are made of the same crystallized carbon as mined diamonds and share the same hardness, brilliance and chemical structure. The only difference is their origin, as they are grown in a laboratory rather than formed in the earth.
What are the 4Cs of a diamond?
The 4Cs are cut, color, clarity and carat weight, and together they describe the quality and value of a diamond. The system was created by the Gemological Institute of America and is now used by independent laboratories to grade both mined and lab grown diamonds.
Which of the 4Cs is most important?
Cut is generally considered the most important of the 4Cs, because it determines how well a diamond returns light and therefore how much it sparkles. A smaller diamond with an excellent cut will often look more brilliant than a larger diamond that is poorly cut.
Do lab grown diamonds come with a certificate?
Yes, every Gleam Adorn diamond is accompanied by an independent grading report from IGI. The report states the cut, color, clarity and carat weight of the diamond, so you can verify its quality and compare it with other stones.
What color and clarity should I choose?
For a bright and white appearance, we recommend color grades D to G and clarity grades of VS2 or higher. VS1 and VS2 diamonds are usually eye clean and look identical to the naked eye, so choosing VS2 can be a sensible way to save.
