In the lab
At Rachel’s Lab-Grown Diamonds, we believe brilliance should be as kind to the planet as it is breathtaking to behold. Founded with a passion for beauty, innovation, and ethical craftsmanship, Rachel set out to create diamonds that tell a story of love without compromise—no mining, no environmental harm, and no uncertainty about origin. Each of our lab-grown diamonds is cultivated with precision, using cutting-edge technology to mirror the same sparkle, durability, and timeless elegance of nature’s finest gems—at a fraction of the cost and with complete transparency. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, creating a family heirloom, or simply indulging in something extraordinary, our mission is to ensure your diamond shines with integrity, sustainability, and heart.
Lab-Grown Diamond: From Seed to Heart-Shaped Sparkler
1. Diamond Seed Initiation
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What it is: A diamond seed is a tiny, often HPHT-grown, single‑crystal diamond fragment.
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Purpose: It acts as the nucleation platform on which new diamond layers will build.
2. Growth Methods (HPHT vs. CVD)
A. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
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Mechanism: Emulates Earth’s interior—1300–1600 °C under pressures of ~5–6 GPa (80 elephants worth of weight!)
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Components:
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Diamond seed
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Carbon source (often graphite)
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A metal catalyst (e.g., iron, nickel, or cobalt)
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Process: Heat melts the metal, dissolving carbon, which then recrystallizes on the seed as the chamber cools.
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Outcome: A rough diamond crystal, ready for cutting later. Common HPHT equipment includes split‑sphere (BARS), cubic, and belt presses.
3. Post-Growth Treatments and Cutting
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Color adjustments: CVD diamonds often need HPHT or LPHT (low-pressure, high-temperature) treatment to reduce brown tints caused by internal stress.
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Inspection & layering: Sometimes, layers are removed or the crystal is re‑exposed for further growth to reach desired thickness.
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Shape cutting: The rough diamond is precisely cut and polished into its intended shape.
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For a heart shape, this involves:
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Creating symmetrical lobes
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Carving a cleft
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Crafting a crisp point
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Ensuring precise faceting and brilliance
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4. Final Touches & Certification
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Polishing: Each facet is carefully polished to maximize sparkle and fire.
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Laser inscription/logo: Often applied for authenticity and traceability.
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Grading: Lab-grown diamonds are certified using the same standards (e.g., GIA, IGI) as natural diamonds.
5. Why Lab-Grown Diamonds Shine
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Same chemistry as natural diamonds—pure carbon in a crystal lattice.
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Two reliable methods (HPHT & CVD) enable control over clarity, size, and color.
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Rapid production: Weeks to months vs. billions of years in nature.
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Ethical and sustainable: Avoids mining impacts, often costs less.
Let’s Work Together
Ready to bring your dream diamond to life? Fill out our “Let’s Work Together” form and start designing a one-of-a-kind lab-grown diamond that’s as unique as your story. From the first sketch to the final sparkle, we’ll craft it together—just for you.
