What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
Are Lab Grown Diamonds More Sustainable? Absolutely. Sustainability is a core part of our mission and lab grown diamond rings fit in perfectly. How? By avoiding mining, a known contributor of environmental destruction.
To keep it short,
mining is terrible
for the environment.
In 2020, a report conducted at American University and the University of Delaware found that “diamond mining proliferates deforestation and desertification, water pollution, and soil erosion and pollution” in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. Which is something we at Hera and Gaia are not a fan of - and therefore don’t support.
Even in countries with relatively strong environmental protections, diamond mining introduces a handful of environmental problems such as mining waste, acid drainage, and leaching of heavy metals into the environment. In fact, Mining Watch Canada released a map in January 2021 showing over 100 contaminated mine waste sites in British Columbia alone. Yuck.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Grown?
They grow from seeds! No joke, lab grown diamonds are cultivated using tiny seeds of existing diamonds. By mimicking the natural conditions under which diamonds grow, we can use technology to turn those seeds into diamonds, and then into lab grown diamond engagement rings.
There are two methods of growing a diamond:
1
High Pressure High Temperature
In the High Pressure High Temperature, or HPHT growth process, diamond seeds are placed in carbon and exposed to extreme heat and pressure, essentially replicating the underground conditions that facilitate diamond growth.
2
Chemical Vapor
Deposition
Chemical Vapor Deposition, or CVD diamonds are grown by heating diamond seeds in a chamber with carbon-rich gases. Both methods produce beautiful diamonds.
WORKING WITH AN EXPERT MATTERS
How to Shop for The Perfect Lab Grown Diamond
As our client, you have two options when purchasing a lab grown diamond engagement ring. You’ll either choose from upgrading to a lab grown diamond with our available styles (no extra effort on your part). Or, you can choose our concierge service.