LAB DIAMONDS
Each year we are consistently working hard to reduce our impact.
With Country as the keeper of our house, we recognise that the only way forward is to refine and review our practices constantly. During an era of the climate crisis, our story and our business aim to evolve and align with emerging sustainable alternatives; the first of these is the introduction of lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as cultured or engineered diamonds, are composed of the same carbon atoms and chemical structure as natural diamonds. They are real diamonds; the only difference is the origin from which the diamond comes. Laboratory diamonds are created in an engineered environment that mimics the properties of natural diamond formation.
The lab diamond process is called the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) method. The ‘growing’ process begins with a specialised carbon plate - called a ‘seed’ - placed inside a low-pressure microwave chamber. Introduced hydrogen and methane gases mimic the natural environment process. A microwave generator pumps pressured heat energy into the chamber that ignites a glowing plasma ball. Carbon molecules rain on the seed, layering it and accelerating the natural crystallisation process. The lab diamond is then cut and polished by a master diamond cutter, the same as if it was a mined diamond. The diamond will then be certified by an official diamond institution and graded according to the Four C’s.
The engineered environment, home to the lab diamond, assures the structure consists of the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. There are immense environmental, ethical and economic benefits in choosing a lab diamond.
Each year we are consistently working hard to reduce our impact.
With Country as the keeper of our house, we recognise that the only way forward is to refine and review our practices constantly. During an era of the climate crisis, our story and our business aim to evolve and align with emerging sustainable alternatives; the first of these is the introduction of lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as cultured or engineered diamonds, are composed of the same carbon atoms and chemical structure as natural diamonds. They are real diamonds; the only difference is the origin from which the diamond comes. Laboratory diamonds are created in an engineered environment that mimics the properties of natural diamond formation.
The lab diamond process is called the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) method. The ‘growing’ process begins with a specialised carbon plate - called a ‘seed’ - placed inside a low-pressure microwave chamber. Introduced hydrogen and methane gases mimic the natural environment process. A microwave generator pumps pressured heat energy into the chamber that ignites a glowing plasma ball. Carbon molecules rain on the seed, layering it and accelerating the natural crystallisation process. The lab diamond is then cut and polished by a master diamond cutter, the same as if it was a mined diamond. The diamond will then be certified by an official diamond institution and graded according to the Four C’s.
The engineered environment, home to the lab diamond, assures the structure consists of the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. There are immense environmental, ethical and economic benefits in choosing a lab diamond.
NATURAL DIAMONDS
Natural diamond formation has occurred for time immemorial.
Diamonds are composed only of carbon bonded together in a special naturally occurring environment. A rough diamond formation begins in the Earth’s mantle when carbon deposits itself deeply within it. The crystalline structure begins to form when subjected to high temperatures and intense pressure. Under these conditions, carbon atoms will bond to each other, creating a layered lattice and solid molecular structure, eventually growing large enough for us to see. This formation process is why diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring stones on Earth (hardness of 10 on the Mohs Scale).
Natural diamonds have risen to the surface through deep-seated volcanic eruptions that occurred long ago in Earth’s history. When these eruptions reached the Earth’s surface, they built mounds of volcanic material as the magma cooled. These formations are the vertical structures or Kimberlite chambers, typically the source of mined natural diamonds. Other naturally occurring diamonds can form through tectonic plate movement and meteorite impact; however, these are typically too small for use and of poor quality.
Rough diamonds are usually mapped with a Sarin machine and then cut using other diamonds or lasers. All naturally occurring diamonds are subject to polishing standards and quality control. The diamond will then be certified by an official diamond institution and graded according to the Four C’s.
Laura Miers Jewellery always aims to source conflict-free and ethical natural diamonds.
Natural diamond formation has occurred for time immemorial.
Diamonds are composed only of carbon bonded together in a special naturally occurring environment. A rough diamond formation begins in the Earth’s mantle when carbon deposits itself deeply within it. The crystalline structure begins to form when subjected to high temperatures and intense pressure. Under these conditions, carbon atoms will bond to each other, creating a layered lattice and solid molecular structure, eventually growing large enough for us to see. This formation process is why diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring stones on Earth (hardness of 10 on the Mohs Scale).
Natural diamonds have risen to the surface through deep-seated volcanic eruptions that occurred long ago in Earth’s history. When these eruptions reached the Earth’s surface, they built mounds of volcanic material as the magma cooled. These formations are the vertical structures or Kimberlite chambers, typically the source of mined natural diamonds. Other naturally occurring diamonds can form through tectonic plate movement and meteorite impact; however, these are typically too small for use and of poor quality.
Rough diamonds are usually mapped with a Sarin machine and then cut using other diamonds or lasers. All naturally occurring diamonds are subject to polishing standards and quality control. The diamond will then be certified by an official diamond institution and graded according to the Four C’s.
Laura Miers Jewellery always aims to source conflict-free and ethical natural diamonds.
THE FOUR C’S
All diamonds are graded under the '4 C's' and are in no particular order of importance. The diamond grading process details each diamond's cut, colour, clarity, and carat; however, this prominence is subject to each buyer's desire and preferences.
Cut
The diamond cut refers to the balance of proportion, symmetry, shape and polish achieved by a diamond master cutter. The diamond's ability to reflect and refract all light is dependent on the cutting process. Your diamond is outlined in your preferred shape during this process using specific proportions and angles. The physical and visual form of the stone creates unique qualities and facets that impact the overall look. As light enters the diamond and refracts back through the top, the cut of the diamond design is responsible for the proportion and balance of white light brilliance, fire dispersion and the interplaying of all light, causing scintillation (the diamond's overall sparkle).
All diamonds are graded under the '4 C's' and are in no particular order of importance. The diamond grading process details each diamond's cut, colour, clarity, and carat; however, this prominence is subject to each buyer's desire and preferences.
Cut
The diamond cut refers to the balance of proportion, symmetry, shape and polish achieved by a diamond master cutter. The diamond's ability to reflect and refract all light is dependent on the cutting process. Your diamond is outlined in your preferred shape during this process using specific proportions and angles. The physical and visual form of the stone creates unique qualities and facets that impact the overall look. As light enters the diamond and refracts back through the top, the cut of the diamond design is responsible for the proportion and balance of white light brilliance, fire dispersion and the interplaying of all light, causing scintillation (the diamond's overall sparkle).
Colour
Diamond colour speaks for the rarity and quality of the diamond; no two diamonds are alike. Diamond colour is correlated to a letter scale (See image below). Colourless (D, E, F) diamonds are the rarest as they do not have any hue, tone or saturation from the Earth. Instead, they have fire dispersion and white brilliance. Most colourless diamonds are indistinguishable from near colourless (G, H) diamonds; only minuscule traces of colour can be seen through an electronic colour-mitre by an expert gemologist. Near colourless diamonds (I, J) have a warm hue, as they have picked up Earth matter during their formation process and refract subtle faint colouring.
Diamond colour speaks for the rarity and quality of the diamond; no two diamonds are alike. Diamond colour is correlated to a letter scale (See image below). Colourless (D, E, F) diamonds are the rarest as they do not have any hue, tone or saturation from the Earth. Instead, they have fire dispersion and white brilliance. Most colourless diamonds are indistinguishable from near colourless (G, H) diamonds; only minuscule traces of colour can be seen through an electronic colour-mitre by an expert gemologist. Near colourless diamonds (I, J) have a warm hue, as they have picked up Earth matter during their formation process and refract subtle faint colouring.
Clarity
Clarity refers to blemishes or inclusions within your diamond, determined by the "purity" of the stone. In both lab-grown and naturally occurring diamonds, microscopic particles trapped during the formation process will affect the overall clarity. Diamonds will be graded from FL (internally flawless) to I3 (heavily included).
Clarity refers to blemishes or inclusions within your diamond, determined by the "purity" of the stone. In both lab-grown and naturally occurring diamonds, microscopic particles trapped during the formation process will affect the overall clarity. Diamonds will be graded from FL (internally flawless) to I3 (heavily included).
Carat
Carat (CT) is the unit of weight measurement used exclusively for diamonds and gemstones. The weight is influenced by the cut and shape of the diamond. Two diamonds with the same CT weight may have slightly different measurements. Refer to the image below for approximate measurements of Round Brilliant Cut (RBC) and correlating CT weight.
Carat (CT) is the unit of weight measurement used exclusively for diamonds and gemstones. The weight is influenced by the cut and shape of the diamond. Two diamonds with the same CT weight may have slightly different measurements. Refer to the image below for approximate measurements of Round Brilliant Cut (RBC) and correlating CT weight.
