What exactly are laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs)?

During Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the United States, he gave First Lady Jill Biden a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond as a gift.
LGDs, or lab-grown diamonds, have grown in popularity in recent years due to their ethical and environmental advantages over mined diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are made using technology that mimics the natural geological processes that lead to diamond production.
LGDs have the same chemical, physical, and optical qualities as actual diamonds, unlike diamond simulants such as Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia.

LGDs are thought to be more socially and environmentally responsible than mined diamonds.
Their manufacture minimises the socially exploitative features of diamond mining while also reducing the environmental impact of typical mining practises.

The diamond is 7.5 carats in weight. Carat weight relates to the diamond’s size and weight, with one carat equaling 200 milligrammes.
The diamond was manufactured in a laboratory using advanced technology and is not a natural diamond mined.
The diamond has been certified by the IGI (International Gemological Institute) Gemological Lab. Certification assures that the diamond satisfies industry quality and authenticity criteria.
Cutting and polishing: To improve the diamond’s brilliance and visual appeal, it is precisely cut and polished. The precise craftsmanship and attention to detail result in a well-cut and faceted diamond.

(A) High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) Method:

This conventional procedure is putting a diamond seed, which is normally made of graphite, to intense pressures and temperatures in order to turn it into a diamond.
Heavy presses capable of producing enormous pressure (up to 730,000 psi) and temperatures reaching 1500 degrees Celsius are required for HPHT.

(B) Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Explosive Formation:

CVD is the process of depositing carbon atoms onto a diamond seed using a gas mixture, which results in the formation of a diamond layer.
Explosive formation, also known as detonation nano-diamonds, creates microscopic diamond particles through explosive reactions.

Optical Properties and Durability: LGDs have similar optical dispersion to genuine diamonds, which gives them their distinctive glitter. Because of their toughness, they are appropriate for industrial applications such as cutters and tools.
Upgraded Properties and Industrial Applications: LGDs’ properties can be upgraded for specialised applications, such as strong heat conductivity and negligible electrical conductivity. LGDs are valuable in electronics because they act as heat spreaders for high-power laser diodes and transistors.

(A) Sustainable Growth in the Jewellery Industry

LGDs are gradually replacing mined diamonds in the jewellery industry as natural diamond reserves diminish.
LGD production methods, including as cutting and polishing, adhere to known diamond industry practises.

(B) India’s Diamond Industry

The emergence of LGDs is unlikely to have a substantial impact on India’s diamond sector, which specialises in diamond polishing and cutting.
While adding LGDs into its offerings, India’s current diamond industry may continue to grow.

A 5-year research funding for an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was announced in the Union Budget 23-24 with the goal of supporting the development of LGD machinery, seeds, and recipes.
The India Centre for Lab Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD) would be established at IIT Madras.
InCent-LGD’s principal goal is to give technical help to domestic businesses and entrepreneurs, promoting indigenous manufacturing of Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) systems.
The project aims to grow the Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD) industry by providing start-ups with inexpensive technology, creating job opportunities, and increasing LGD exports.

The gems and jewellery business accounts for around 9% of India’s total merchandise exports and is critical to the economy.
LGD have arisen as a significant technological advancement in the industry, with applications not only in jewellery but also in computer chips, satellites, 5G networks, defence, optical, and thermal and medical industries.
The global LGD diamond market, which was valued at $1 billion in 2020, is predicted to develop quickly, reaching $5 billion by 2025 and exceeding $15 billion by 2035.

Source: https://discover.gia.edu/gialgdr