The most important idea to understand when talking about created Diamonds is that they are, in fact, Diamonds. The only difference between Excalibur Diamonds and Diamonds from a mine is that the ones that come from mines took millions, sometimes billions, of years to form and be brought close enough to the Earth’s surface to uncover them, while created Diamonds take just a few weeks to cultivate. Both are then polished and cut to be set into jewelry.
The number one question that people tend to ask when talking about created Diamonds is: How are they different from a Cubic Zirconium or a Moissanite? Firstly, neither of these simulants are Diamonds. They are called simulants for that reason: they simulate the look of a Diamond, but are both chemically and physically different from a Diamond. Cubic Zirconia are made from zirconium dioxide, and Moissanites are synthesized from silicon carbide. Moissanite is the superior of these two stones in several ways: it is harder (less likely to scratch), tougher (less likely to chip), shows more brilliance and fire, and is both more durable and more stable. For these reasons, it is also the more expensive of the two simulants. Still, neither is a Diamond.
Sometimes referred to as “cultured” Diamonds, created Diamonds are produced in a laboratory by one of two methods: HPHT or CVD. The High Pressure/High Temperature method mimics the conditions necessary to form Diamonds just as they are formed in nature, deep in the Earth’s mantle under intense heat and compression. The Carbon Vapor Deposition process generates Diamonds by bringing about the crystallization of hydrocarbon gas.
