lab grown gemstone - Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery

Learn About Lab Grown Diamonds

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:14:26 +0000

Learn more about lab grown diamonds.

Lab grown diamonds, also known as lab created, lab made or man made diamonds, are chemically identical to natural diamonds. They have the same durability and sparkle but not the same price tag!

Is a lab grown diamond a real diamond?

Yes! Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. A laboratory grown diamond is physically and chemically identical to a natural diamond. The only way to detect the difference between them is with highly specialized equipment.

The answer to if the average Joe or Jane can detect the difference between a natural and lab created diamond is a definite no. Most jewellers and gemmologists can’t tell the difference either, not without that specialized equipment I mentioned. Lab diamonds are equal to natural diamond in quality, durability and sparkle.

What's the difference between a lab diamond and a diamond simulant?

The short version is that a lab diamond is a genuine or “real” diamond and a diamond simulant is not. A diamond simulant is something such as cubic zirconia which is used to mimic the look of a diamond but at a much lower cost.

Unfortunately, although beautiful, cubic zirconia is not durable enough to stand up to everyday wear. Within months the facet edges will start to abraid and the surface of the gem will start to look “foggy”. This will not happen with a lab created diamond because, since it is identical to a natural diamond, it is just as durable.

It is also important to note here what we mean when we say “synthetic diamond” versus diamond simulant or imitation diamond. A synthetic diamond is a lab created diamond. It is identical to a natural diamond but made in a lab so it can be called synthetic.

A diamond simulant or imitation diamond is not a diamond. As we discussed above this would be something like a cubic zirconia that is meant to look like a diamond but is not a diamond.

How much do lab grown diamonds cost?

Initally lab diamonds were about 30% less expensive than natural diamonds. Recently, however, the cost of lab created diamonds has decreased even further due to competition in the market and improvements in production. Today you can expect to pay between 30-40% less for a lab made diamond. You could also look at it at as getting a larger lab created diamond for the same price as a smaller natural diamond.

Are lab grown diamonds graded the same as natural diamonds?

At first lab grown diamonds were mostly only available in larger carat weights. But now smaller melee (small accent sized diamonds) are available in a range of sizes and shapes. The most accessible shapes for melee are round, pear, straight baguette and tapered baguette.

It can still be difficult to find some of the rarer or unusual shapes such as trillion, marquise or kite in a lab created stone. This is especially true with the small melee stones.

It is possible to have a lab diamond custom cut to your specifications but this can easily add thousands to the final cost. I am finding more and more variety available as the demand for lab created diamonds increases so it may just be a question of waiting until the suppliers can catch up with the demand.

How are lab grown diamonds made?

So how does one go about growing diamonds? Lab diamonds are created in one of two ways.

The first is called High-Pressure High-Temperature or HPHT. Did you know lab diamonds were around in the 1950’s? Companies were actually using this HPHT process back then to create lab diamonds to use for industrial purposes. They were not as focused on producing gem quality diamonds for the jewellery industry.

As you may have guessed this process uses extreme heat and extreme pressure and applies it to a natural diamond seed. This simulates the extreme environment that causes natural diamonds to form.

The second process is called Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD. This method was also around in the 1950’s but it’s only recently that it has become as viable the HPHT method. CVD also starts with a natural diamond seed which is placed in a chamber then subjected to high temperatures. Following this a combination of hydrogen and methane is released into the chamber which causes the electrons to separate and actually frees the pure carbon atoms which then deposits onto the diamond seed.

Are lab grown diamonds available in all sizes?

All lab grown diamonds are graded according to the “4 C’s” just as natural diamonds are, ie: colour, clarity, cut, carat. However, lab diamonds receive a different report than natural diamonds. All lab created diamonds will come with a report that states they are lab grown and this information should also be laser inscribed on the girdle of the stone.

Fun fact, you can even get a custom personalized message inscribed on the girdle of your diamond!

Are colours other than white available in lab grown diamonds?

Yes, coloured lab diamonds are available but they are harder to find. As with the shapes, it is a question of the time needed for the supply to increase in order to meet the demand. Because the most popular colour of lab diamond is white, that it the colour that is most produced.

Where can I purchase a lab grown diamond in Toronto?

There are a number of websites that offer lab grown diamonds for purchase. If you decide to purchase your lab grown stone online we can work together to create the ring. The only trouble with purchasing a diamond online is that you can’t see it in person which often can make a big difference. I also have access to a number of lab diamond suppliers and I’m happy to bring stones in for you to choose one in person.

Should you choose a lab grown diamond for your engagement ring?

Ultimately, of course, only you can answer this question. Personally I feel lab grown diamonds are in every way as beautiful as natural diamonds but with two significant differences.

The first is the price point which, as we’ve discussed, is much lower than a natural diamond. The second is that a lab made diamond is conflict free and has a much lower environmental impact than a mined diamond. If you have your heart set on a diamond, and either of these factors are important to you, then I say go for it! You won’t be disappointed.

If you’re still on the fence then the way I work will, I think, make it easier. If you’ve never seen a lab diamond before I can bring some in to the shop so you can see them in person. I can even source out the shape and size you’re looking for so you can visualize what it will look like on your finger.

And unlike in the creation of these diamonds there’s no pressure. If the options are not what you were looking for we can always return them and try something else. This is really about finding out what’s right for you.

I hope this information has helped you but if you have any other questions definitely get in touch!

The post Learn About Lab Grown Diamonds first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

Alternative Engagement Rings Toronto

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:36:45 +0000

The classic diamond ring as we know it has only been around for a little over 100 years. Developed and marketed by the diamond industry it became the must-have accessory for all of the newly engaged. But the times they are a-changing! Alternative engagement rings are becoming more and more popular.

Diamonds aren’t for everyone and nor should anyone be ever made to feel that diamonds must be for everyone. More and more people in Toronto and around the world are looking to non-diamond gemstone alternatives for their non-traditional engagement rings.

There are so many beautiful gemstones to choose from but some are more suitable to be set in an engagement ring than others. The most important thing to keep in mind is the durability of the stone. It needs to be tough enough to stand up to everyday wear.

This is one of the reasons why diamonds have been such a popular choice for engagement rings. Diamonds are exponentially harder than any other gemstone. That being said, there are plenty of other tough, beautiful gemstones to choose from.

A Ranking of the Most Durable Gemstones to use for Alternative Engagement Rings

``Best`` Gemstones

First, let’s explore this ‘Best’ category of gemstone. The gemstones in the ‘Best’ category are the next most durable after diamond.

One way to measure a gemstone’s durability is with the Moh’s Scale of hardness. The scale is from 1 to 10 with 1 being very soft and 10 being very hard. An example of a stone that measures in at 1 is talc. The only stone that measures in at 10 is diamond.

Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

I debated whether or not to include lab created diamond in this article since, after all, we are talking about diamond alternatives. Lab diamonds are chemically identical to diamonds that are found in nature so they are, in fact, diamonds. But I decided to include them anyway since they are not what we would think of as a traditional diamond.

A synthetic or lab created diamond is a great choice for an engagement ring. As noted above it’s chemically identical to a natural diamond so that means it is an extremely tough and durable stone with a Moh’s hardness of 10.

Moissanite Engagement Ring

Moissanite is a newer alternative to diamond. Although naturally occurring moissanite has been known for over a century it is only recently that a bright white material has been successfully reproduced in a lab. Measuring in at 9.25 on the Moh’s Scale, Moissanite is a great choice for your custom engagement ring. It’s a beautiful, double refractive stone meaning that it actually has more ‘fire’ or reflective properties than diamond.

Recently the company that creates Moissanite, Charles & Colvard, has developed the whitest material of moissanite yet,the Forever One line. For more information about moissanite engagement rings check out my post!

Moissanite is also available in colours other than white although fancy colours are not offered through Charles & Colvard. I have, however, recently sourced some moissanite available in a limited amount of colours that is very beautiful. The main image on this page is of a peacock blue moissanite from this source. It can be tricky to find quality moissanite and that is why I always work with trusted suppliers.

``Better`` Gemstones

Any of the “Better” category of gemstones can also be used in your non-diamond custom engagement ring without any worries. They are all durable, hard gemstones that will stand up to wear and tear. All of these gemstones have a Moh’s hardness of 9.

Natural and Lab Grown Sapphire Engagement Ring

As with lab created diamond, lab created or synthetic sapphire is also chemically identical to natural sapphire. Whereas natural sapphire is available in a multitude of colours, the colours available in lab sapphire are much more limited.

Lab grown sapphires are very saturated in colour while there’s a greater tonal range available in natural sapphire. I’ve also outlined a lot more about sapphire engagement ring choices in another post.

A selection of sapphires by Sorbet Sapphire

Below I’ve made a short description of the most common colours available in natural sapphire:

White Sapphire: A true white but with less ‘fire’ than a diamond
Yellow Sapphire: Ranges from pale yellow to bright, sunny yellow
Orange Sapphire: Typically a saturated tangerine colour, lighter orange is less common
Padparadscha Sapphire: A padparadscha sapphire is a very particular colour, either 60% orange and 40% pink or 60% pink and 40% orange
Pink Sapphire: Typically a deep, vibrant pink – pale pink is less common
Purple Sapphire: A ‘classic’ purple, lighter and brighter than an amethyst purple
Blue Sapphire: Ranges from light blue to navy blue with the classic blue being described as ‘ceylon’
Green Sapphire: Typically an earthy green, not a bright kelly green like emerald or tsavorite garnet

In comparison, the shades typically available in lab grown sapphire are blue, purple, pink, green and yellow.

Lab Grown or Natural Ruby Engagement Ring

Ruby and sapphire are actually the same mineral, corundum. The classic colour of a ruby is described as ‘pigeon’s blood red’ – I know – gross. If a ruby is too pink or purple it’s called a pink or purple sapphire instead. The colour of lab grown ruby is that classic red while natural ruby ranges more in colour from purple-red to pink-red and all shades of red in between.

This image is a custom piece I made of a 14k yellow gold ring featuring a lab grown Chatham ruby.

Chrysoberyl and Alexandrite Engagement Ring

A less known stone, chrysoberyl is another tough gemstone that is more than suitable for a non-diamond engagement ring and able to stand up to wear and tear. Natural chysoberyl is a bright yellow or green-yellow stone.

Alexandrite is the colour change version of chrysoberyl. It changes in colour from red/purple in indoor light to green/teal blue in outdoor light. Alexandrite is quite rare and is often more expensive than diamonds of equivalent size. Luckily alexandrite is also available as a lab made stone with the same colour change properties but not the same price tag as its natural counter part.

``Good`` Gemstones

And Finally the “Good” cateogry of gemstones. These are the ‘proceed with caution’ stones. With a Moh’s hardness of 8 they are technically suitable for engagement rings but there are other considerations to take into account beyond their hardness as outlined below.

Lab Grown Emerald Engagement Ring

You will notice, of course, that I haven’t included natural emerald here. This is because natural emerald, although hard, tends to be brittle which compromises its durability. You could select a natural emerald for your engagement ring as long as you are aware of, and willing to accept, the risks. You would hopefully be one of those people who aren’t too hard on their jewellery. You’d need to be cautious when you’re wearing your ring and keep it as safe as possible.

Because lab emerald isn’t as brittle as natural emerald it is actually a better choice for an engagement ring.

Topaz Engagement Ring

Natural topaz is available in a variety of colours. It’s often colour treated to create a more desirable or saturated colour, but the treatment is stable. Because of the affordability of natural topaz there really isn’t a market for lab made topaz. But, also due to its affordability, it is much easier to purchase a larger stone if that’s your preference!

Although hard, topaz has something called perfect cleavage (yes, that is a technical term) which makes it vulnerable to breakage. Due to the crystal structure of topaz, if it is hit in just the right spot the stone could ‘cleave’ or break off. Here are some common colours of topaz: sky blue, bright blue, denim blue, pink, green, white and yellow.

Perhaps the stone you were hoping to use isn’t in the Good, Better, Best list. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use it, you should do you after all. It just means that you will need to take the time and do some research on the stone of your choice. Then you will know the risks involved before selecting it for your engagement ring. Unfortunately, you will need to prepare yourself for the possibility that the stone may break. You’ll want to keep that in mind when budgeting how much you’d like to spend.

Below are some further lists of gemstones that I would classify as ‘Proceed with Caution’ and ‘Absolutely Do Not Use’:

Proceed with Caution:

Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet (any kind), Morganite, Spinel, Tourmaline, Zircon

Absolutely Do Not Use:

Cubic Zirconia, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Quartz (any kind), Tanzanite

It’s impossible to predict how a stone will wear. Some people can wear an emerald ring every day for a lifetime without any problems. Others can break the stone within the first few weeks of wear. At the end of the day nothing is indestructible, not even diamond.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that an engagement ring is almost like a car. It will last longer and look better if you bring it in for regular servicing every once in a while to make sure everything is ok.

If you are planning to make a piece of jewellery that will be worn everyday, such as an engagement ring, then you’ll want to make sure you select a gemstone that is tough and durable.

The post Alternative Engagement Rings Toronto first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.