Education

Lab Diamonds Vs Natural Diamonds

The traditional jewelry industry often lacks transparency and raises ethical concerns. Opaque supply chains can obscure a gem's journey from mine to market, hindering the verification of ethical sourcing and fair labor practices. At Chez Theia, we champion a new standard of transparency and responsibility. We believe in crafting exquisite jewelry with a conscience, prioritizing ethical sourcing, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring fair pricing. High-quality, low-impact, and fully traceable—this is our commitment to a more ethical and sustainable jewelry industry.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to buying ethically sourced real diamonds. Whether mined or lab formed, it comes down to personal preferences. However, lab diamonds offer a compelling alternative to mined diamonds, presenting distinct advantages:

Environmental Benefits: Lab-grown diamonds significantly reduce the ecological footprint associated with diamond mining. Traditional mining often involves extensive land disruption, deforestation, community displacement, water contamination, and substantial carbon emissions. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments using advanced technology, minimizing land disturbance and reducing energy consumption.

Ethical Advantages: Lab-grown diamonds address concerns regarding human rights and labor practices within the diamond mining industry. Reports of conflict diamonds, child labor, and unsafe working conditions raise ethical questions about the origins of mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds provide a transparent and ethical alternative, ensuring fair labor practices and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain.

Quality and Customization: The controlled environment of lab-grown diamond production allows for greater consistency in quality and characteristics. Unlike mined diamonds, which can vary significantly in clarity and color, lab-grown diamonds can be created with specific attributes in mind, ensuring predictability and customization.

As consumer awareness of environmental and ethical issues grows, lab-grown diamonds are increasingly recognized as a responsible and sustainable choice. By opting for lab-grown diamonds, discerning consumers can enjoy the beauty and prestige of diamonds while minimizing their impact on the planet and supporting ethical labor practices.

Should you desire a natural diamond, we diligently ensure ethical sourcing and conflict-free origins.

Understanding Lab Grown Diamonds: CVD & HPHT

Lab grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment, replicating the natural diamond formation process. Two primary methods are used: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT). Both techniques yield real diamonds, but the quality of the final stone hinges on the growth process. While both methods produce diamonds, the caliber of the final product depends on the manufacturer's ability to control and optimize the growth environment. Many low-quality lab-created diamonds flood the market, often with both growth related imperfections and color tinges that diamond certification does not currently identify.

Beyond Conflict, Beyond Compromise

Not all Lab Diamonds are created equal- Beware!

Lab grown diamonds, like mined diamonds, have varying quality and value. High-quality premium lab diamonds are more expensive to produce and rival the very best of natural diamonds. That is they are Type IIa diamonds, which are only 2% of natural diamonds.

At Chez Theia, we only sell the very top quality of premium lab diamonds. We carefully inspect each one and reject any that do not meet our very high criteria.

Here are a few facts about lab diamond quality:

  1. Gorgeous Lab Diamonds Exist: Chez Theia sells Type IIa lab diamonds, the rarest type with a perfect carbon structure, known for their brilliance and sparkle.

  2. Growing Bad Diamonds Is Easier: Producing high-quality lab diamonds takes time, money and patience. Some growers prioritize quantity over quality, using shortcuts that result in quality issues.

  3. Bad Lab Diamonds Are Common: Many new growers produce low-quality diamonds sold cheaply online. High-quality CVD diamonds cost more at wholesale prices.

  4. Expert Inspection Is Key for a superior Diamond: At Chez Theia our highly experienced team goes through a rigorous selection process.

The Four C’s

Carat

Size doesn’t always matter!

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not its size. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. While larger diamonds often appear bigger, carat weight alone doesn't determine a diamond's brilliance or value. Two diamonds of the same carat weight can have drastically different appearances and prices depending on their cut, clarity, and color. Think of carat as a measure of the diamond's raw material; the other 3Cs determine how beautifully that material is showcased.

Cut Quality

Quality over quantity!

The cut of a diamond is arguably the most important of the 4Cs. It refers to how well a diamond's facets interact with light. A well-cut diamond will internally reflect light, creating brilliance, fire (sparkle), and scintillation (twinkle). Cut grades range from Excellent to Poor, and a diamond with a higher cut grade will be significantly more brilliant than one with a lower grade, even if they have the same carat weight, clarity, and color. The cut is about the proportions, symmetry, and polish of the diamond, and it's what unleashes the diamond's full potential.

Clarity

The answer is clear!

Clarity refers to the absence of inclusions (internal imperfections) and blemishes (external imperfections) in a diamond. Most diamonds have some imperfections, but the fewer and smaller the imperfections, the higher the clarity grade. Clarity grades range from Flawless to Included (I1, I2, I3). While clarity does affect a diamond's appearance, small inclusions often don't impact a diamond's brilliance and can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Choosing a diamond with a clarity grade that balances appearance and budget is often a smart approach.

Color

”White is pure and simple and matches with everything.” —Christian Dior

While many people think of diamonds as colorless, truly colorless diamonds are rare and highly valued. Most diamonds have a slight tint of yellow or brown. The color grading scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Diamonds in the D-F range are considered colorless, while those in the G-H range are near-colorless and offer excellent value.


For fancy colored diamonds, like pinks, blues, or yellows, the color intensity is the primary factor in their value.

Cut Shape

“Love comes in all different shapes and forms.”

Beyond the 4Cs, the shape or cut of a diamond plays a significant role in its overall appearance and brilliance. While "cut" as one of the 4Cs refers to the proportions and finish of the diamond, here we're talking about the overall silhouette. The most popular shape is the round brilliant, prized for its exceptional light performance. Other classic shapes include princess (square), emerald (rectangular with truncated corners), asscher (square emerald), radiant (rectangular or square with brilliant faceting), oval, pear, marquise, and heart. Each shape offers a unique aesthetic. For instance, princess cuts offer a balance of brilliance and scintillation, while emerald cuts showcase a diamond's clarity with their step-cut faceting. Marquise and pear shapes can create a flattering, elongating effect on the finger. Ultimately, the choice of diamond shape is a matter of personal preference, allowing individuals to select a stone that best reflects their style.  

Other Attributes

Fancy colors and shapes

“The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.” — Coco Chanel

Fancy colored diamonds, naturally colored by trace elements, are among the rarest and most prized gems. These vivid stones come in a spectrum of hues like pink, blue, green, and yellow, with color intensity driving their value. While natural fancy colored diamonds command high prices, lab-created versions offer the same beauty and chemical composition at a fraction of the cost, making these stunning gems accessible to a wider audience. From romantic pinks to regal blues, both natural and lab-created fancy colored diamonds offer a unique expression of style.

Beyond classic diamond shapes, innovative cuts are emerging. Designers are creating unique facet arrangements and entirely new shapes, pushing the boundaries of brilliance and fire. Custom cuts offer a truly personalized expression, resulting in exceptional, one-of-a-kind diamonds. These fresh perspectives on diamond beauty provide exciting new options for discerning clients.

At Chez Theia, we offer custom cut shapes and colors, creating truly unique and personalized diamonds. From subtle modifications to avant-garde designs and specific hues, we can source and create exceptional, one-of-a-kind gems for discerning clients.