What is a Gemesis Cultured Diamond?
Quite simply, a cultured diamond is a diamond that is grown in a very tightly controlled laboratory environment under conditions that emulate those in which mined diamonds are grown deep under the earth's surface. Starting with a  diamond seed and a separate source of carbon, extreme pressures and temperatures are applied so that the carbon source transforms and grows atom-by atom and layer-by-layer on the diamond seed. The result? A fancy color rough, laboratory-grown diamond that can be cut and polished for use in jewelry just as is a rough diamond produced in nature.
How do Laboratory-Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds Compare?
- Both have the same physical, chemical and optical properties.
- Both have the same hardness, specific gravity, refractive index and dispersion factor.
- Both are polished using the same equipment and techniques.
- Both have the same brilliance, sparkle, fire and scintillation.
- Both are in fact Diamond.
How do Laboratory-Grown Diamonds and Diamond Imitations Compare?
They don't. Diamond imitations, such as cubic zirconium, laboratory created moissanite, and diamond coated materials, are not in fact Diamond. These imitations are called "simulants" in the industry. They do not have the same properties. They do not have the same features. They do not have the same characteristics. They are polished differently. They are graded differently. And, most importantly, they do not have the same scintillating beauty.
Why are the terms "Cultured" and "Laboratory-Grown" used?
Gemesis wants to be absolutely certain that it distinguishes diamonds grown by man from those grown in nature. "Cultured" is a term that has been used for many years to describe pearls that are engineered by man. That is, where man has found a way to recreate nature's process, so Gemesis uses "Cultured" and "Laboratory-Grown" to describe accurately the origin of these diamonds. The term "synthetic" is sometimes used to describe diamonds grown by man. However, it is often incorrectly interpreted as meaning "fake" and, thus, is misleading. Even worse, the term "synthetic" may be used by some to describe stones that aren't actually diamond. However, both "Cultured" and "Laboratory-Grown" fairly and clearly describe this unique jewelry product.
How is a Laboratory-Grown Diamond Graded?
All diamonds, whether natural or laboratory-grown, are graded according to the same strict standards of the Gemological Institute of America for clarity, cut, carat weight and color - the very familiar 4 C's. As further certification and to distinguish its cultured diamonds from those mined in nature, Gemesis insists that its stones are properly identified. |
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