At The Cornish Diamond Co., we believe in providing not just beauty, but also quality and transparency. While all lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to their mined counterparts, the method of their creation has a significant impact on their final quality. We exclusively provide Type IIA CVD lab-created diamonds, and here's a detailed look at why.
A Brief History of Lab-Grown Diamonds
The idea of creating diamonds in a lab is not new. The first successful lab-grown diamond was created by General Electric in 1954 using the High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) method. For decades, these stones were small, often with yellowish tints, and were primarily used for industrial applications like drill bits and grinding tools. It wasn't until the 1970s that gem-quality lab diamonds began to emerge, but they were still expensive and difficult to produce.
In the last decade the science behind diamond creation has progressed immensely. The CVD growing method has always been known for producing diamonds with fewer chemical impurities, but just a few years ago, it was rare to find a high-quality, colorless diamond in the coveted D-F grade range. Large carat diamonds were also highly unusual. Thanks to swift advancements in technology, these limitations are a thing of the past. We can now source stunning, high-grade, and large-carat Type IIA diamonds with exceptional clarity and brilliance.
The Two Growing Methods: HPHT vs. CVD
There are two primary methods used to create lab-grown diamonds. The first is the High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) method, which replicates the conditions deep within the Earth’s mantle. In this process, a small diamond "seed" is placed in a chamber with pure carbon and subjected to immense pressure and extreme temperatures. This is a well-established technology that can produce large, high-quality crystals relatively quickly. However, HPHT diamonds are sometimes prone to a yellowish or brownish tint due to trace elements from the growth chamber, which often requires additional post-growth treatments to achieve a colorless appearance.
The second method is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). This process involves placing a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber, which is then filled with carbon-rich gases. These gases are ionized into plasma, and the carbon atoms from this plasma accumulate on the seed, building the crystal layer by layer over several weeks. The CVD process is known for producing diamonds with a more uniform structure and exceptional purity. The precise control over this environment makes it easier to create high-quality, colorless diamonds, although the process can be slower than HPHT, and some stones may require additional annealing to fully refine their optical properties.
What is a Type IIA Diamond?
A diamond's "type" is a scientific classification based on the presence or absence of nitrogen within its crystal structure. Type I diamonds contain nitrogen atoms, and approximately 98% of all natural diamonds fall into this category. The presence of nitrogen often gives these stones a yellowish or brownish tint. In contrast, Type II diamonds contain no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities, making them the most chemically pure diamonds. Only 1-2% of all natural diamonds are classified as Type IIA, which is why they are so rare and prized. Historically, some of the most famous diamonds in the world, like the Cullinan and the Koh-i-Noor, are Type IIA. Their lack of impurities allows light to pass through the stone unimpeded, resulting in a cleaner, brighter, and more brilliant sparkle. It's well know that natural diamonds have a tarnished history, making lab created diamonds the ethical, modern choice.
Why We Only Offer Type IIA CVD Diamonds
At The Cornish Diamond Co., we have chosen to specialize exclusively in Type IIA CVD lab-created diamonds for their superior quality. The CVD process, when perfected, consistently produces diamonds that are free of nitrogen and other impurities, resulting in a stone with the same exceptional purity and optical performance as the rarest natural diamonds. By focusing on Type IIA CVD diamonds, we can provide you with the most beautiful, brilliant, and ethically-sourced diamond available—a true testament to modern innovation.
Our Unwavering Commitment to Quality
While the science behind Type IIA CVD diamonds guarantees exceptional purity and brilliance, our commitment to quality goes a step further. We understand that your diamond is a symbol of a unique story, and it deserves nothing less than perfection. This is why we individually select each lab-grown diamond for every single order. As a standard, every diamond from The Cornish Diamond Co. is not only a Type IIA CVD, but is also guaranteed to be in the top colourless grade range of D-F with a clarity of VVS, ensuring it is flawless to the naked eye. We also meticulously check for an Ideal to Excellent cut, and go above and beyond by scrutinising elements such as ratio and table & depth percentages. This rigorous process ensures that every diamond we source is not only of the highest grade but is also perfectly proportioned to deliver the most radiant and breathtaking sparkle.
Read more on the myth behind natural diamonds and their value.
