Lab grown diamonds are emerging as an ethical alternative to natural diamonds, making up around 20% of the total diamond market. Sales of lab diamond jewelry rose 51% from November 2022 to November 2023 and loose lab grown diamond sales increased 47%.
Although lab diamonds may seem like a recent invention, they’ve been around for over 70 years, with the first stones created in the 1950s. Understanding their history can provide valuable insight into their quality and appeal, helping you make an informed choice when selecting a lab grown diamond ring, bracelet or necklace from Grown Brilliance.
Early History of Lab Created Diamonds
The history of lab grown diamonds starts in the late 18th Century when Antoine Lavoisier discovered that diamonds are made of pure carbon in 1772. After this breakthrough, early scientists began experimenting with creating lab diamonds using high heat and pressure.
From about 1879 to 1928, various claims of the first lab diamond were made, but none were verified. One notable attempt was by Henri Moissan in 1892. He heated charcoal to 3,500°C inside a carbon crucible, believing he’d made a diamond. However, despite many attempts to replicate his work, scientists could not produce the same results, leaving his claims unconfirmed.
The First Successful Creation of Lab Grown Diamonds
It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that the first verified lab grown diamond was created. In 1954, General Electric (GE) (GE) successfully produced these diamonds. GE’s journey began in 1941 with a team dedicated to making man-made diamonds. World War II interrupted their research, but they resumed afterward under the codename “Project Superpressure.” For years, scientists experimented with various methods to transform carbon into diamonds.
The breakthrough came from H. Tracy Hall, a brilliant General Electric chemist. Hall invented the belt press, a device that could produce extreme pressure and temperature—conditions that mimic the Earth’s diamond-forming environment. Using this machine, Hall and his team subjected a tiny diamond seed to temperatures around 1,600°C (2,912°F) and pressures of 100,000 atmospheres.
Scientists dissolved graphite (a form of pure carbon) in metals like iron, nickel and cobalt inside the belt press. They placed this mixture around a small diamond seed. Under intense heat and pressure, carbon atoms from the graphite broke away and attached to the seed, slowly forming a larger diamond crystal.
When their creation shattered metal cutting tools, demonstrating a diamond’s unmatched hardness, the team knew they had succeeded. They had created the first reproducible lab grown diamonds, marking a monumental achievement in scientific history.
Advancements in Technology and Methods
Following GE’s breakthrough, the 1960s to 1980s saw rapid advancements. The High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) method that Hall pioneered was refined, making larger, purer diamonds possible. But another method was also emerging: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
Developed in the 1980s, CVD used different methods to create a lab diamond. Instead of mimicking the Earth’s crushing pressures, it recreates conditions where diamonds might form in carbon-rich gas pockets. In a CVD chamber, a diamond seed is heated to about 900°C. Then, carbon-rich gasses like methane are introduced. Using microwaves or hot filaments, these gasses are ionized, releasing carbon atoms. These atoms then settle onto the seed, building the diamond layer by layer.
Both methods create genuine diamonds indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye. They’re both pure carbon with identical crystal structures. HPHT excels at producing larger stones, while CVD offers superior purity and unique color options.
21st Century: Lab Grown Diamonds Go Mainstream
By the 2000s, techniques had advanced to create high-quality, colorless lab diamonds suitable for fine jewelry. This marked a turning point—lab diamonds were no longer just for industrial uses and instead began being used in luxury items like engagement rings, tennis bracelets and other diamond accessories.
Lab diamonds surged in popularity in the 2010s. Improved CVD and HPHT methods allowed for the creation of larger, clearer stones that rivaled the best natural diamonds. Labs produced diamonds exceeding 12 carats, a size once thought impossible.
Conscientious consumers started choosing lab grown diamonds for fashion pieces and sentimental jewelry due to their beauty and durability combined with a lower cost. Celebrities showed off lab diamonds on the red carpet, further inspiring the popularity of these ethically sourced gems.
Why Choose a Lab Diamond in the 21st Century?
Today, in the 2020s, lab created diamonds are a mainstream choice for high-quality jewelry. These pieces of ethical luxury resonate with Millennials and Gen Z, who value transparency and are drawn to ethical, conflict-free stones.
Innovation continues to drive the industry. Scientists are exploring new CVD techniques to create larger, purer stones, while others are experimenting with novel catalysts in HPHT to produce unique colors. There’s even research into using diamond quantum computing to optimize growth processes.
For modern consumers, lab diamonds offer exceptional quality and affordability. They also provide peace of mind, knowing their purchase supports ethical and humane practices.
Shop Lab Grown Diamonds at Grown Brilliance
Grown Brilliance offers an exquisite collection of lab diamonds, perfectly blending luxury with ethical responsibility. Since the creation of the first lab grown diamonds in the 1950s, the industry has evolved to produce stunning, high-quality stones that appeal to today’s conscientious consumers.
Grown Brilliance harnesses these advancements to ensure each diamond meets the highest standards. Shop our collection of beautifully crafted jewelry today and become part of a tradition that values innovation and ethical practices.
