The Difference in Cultured Diamonds

The process of buying diamonds can often be quite confusing, especially since there are so many different things to remember and look for. There are a few different types of diamonds that you can choose from, one of the most popular being the cultured diamonds.

What are They?

Cultured diamonds are basically lab-grown diamonds, those which were manmade but still possess the same sparkle and brilliance as earth-mined diamonds. These diamonds are a great way to experience the excitement and passion of owning a real diamond, but at a fraction of the cost.

How They are Made

When it comes to cultured diamonds, each different one is grown individually, one by one, and the end result is a spectacular fancy colored diamond with the exact same chemical, optical and physical properties as their mined counterpart. No one will ever be able to tell the difference, unless you tell them of course, and so you can feel and look like a star but without having to spend a fortune.

One of the most unique features of cultured diamonds is that each diamond is grown individually depending on the desired size and color, and so they are not mass produced in large groups at a time as so many other similar materials are. By applying the appropriate amount of pressure and maintaining an acceptable temperature for common carbon to rearrange its atoms, carbon ends up changing its phase and reforming into a diamond crystal.

The process used here is truly quite astounding and the result is a superb rough diamond crystal that can be cut and faceted just like a mined diamond.

The Problems

Although cultured diamonds are definitely something spectacular, at the same time they do present a few problems. Namely, people are finding that they are purchasing these diamonds believing that they are the real thing when really they are not. This is not to say that they do not possess a great quality but they are certainly not as valuable as real, earth-mined diamonds and therefore not as expensive and so you should not be paying the same amount for a cultured diamond as you would a real one.

It is exceptionally important then that when you are shopping for diamonds you make sure to ask the seller whether they are cultured or earth-mined diamonds, in order to be aware of their actual value and determine whether the asking price that the seller is looking for is reasonable or not.