There are a lot of different diamond making techniques, but they all share a common goal: to produce lab-grown diamonds that are optically, chemically, and physically identical to naturally occurring diamonds. While it may seem like these methods are in direct competition, there is actually a lot of information about each method that can help you make an informed decision.
High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) Vs Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)
HPHT was first invented for industrial purposes in the 1950s, but it is now used to grow lab grown diamonds. This technique uses intense heat and pressure to replicate the way that natural diamonds are formed underground by the Earth.
CVD was created in the 1980s and is a more advanced technique than HPHT. It grows diamonds by a process called chemical vapor deposition, which involves carbon atoms raining down from a plasma cloud onto a lab-grown diamond seed crystal.
The CVD process is less expensive and requires far fewer resources than HPHT, as it doesn’t require the high temperatures and extreme pressures of HPHT. It also doesn’t require the same amount of time to grow as HPHT does.
Both cvd vs hpht techniques can create diamonds that are identical to those found in the earth, and you won’t be able to tell which one was used without professional help.
Unlike HPHT, CVD does not require any post-growth treatment to enhance the color and clarity of the diamonds it produces. As a result, the quality of these lab grown diamonds tends to be lower than HPHT.
These synthetic diamonds are often brown in color, which can be corrected with a higher temperature and pressure. If nitrogen or boron is added to the chamber, yellow and blue diamonds can also be produced.
The main difference between these two diamond-making techniques is that HPHT requires a diamond seed to be placed in carbon, which mimics the way natural diamonds are naturally grown underground by the Earth. Then, the seed is exposed to high heat and pressure to melt the carbon and form a diamond around it.
During the growing process, HPHT diamonds can be sized larger than CVD diamonds, which makes them perfect for a variety of jewelry applications. Moreover, they are also more pure in terms of impurities and have higher clarity levels than CVD diamonds.
There are a few key differences between the two diamond-making techniques, and it’s important to understand them before you purchase a diamond. The most obvious difference is that HPHT diamonds are typically more expensive than CVD diamonds.
They can also be harder to cut and polish than their counterparts, which can cause more damage if you use them for jewelry. In addition, HPHT diamonds can have more pronounced internal whitish or reflective graining, which can affect your diamond’s clarity and color grading.
Both techniques are capable of producing beautiful diamonds, but it’s important to know which one is best for you and your budget. While the cost of both methods is dependent on the size and quality you want, the majority of lab-grown diamonds are generally 40% less expensive than mined diamonds.