History of Lab Grown Diamonds
Breakthrough: 1950s
In 1954, General Electric (GE) successfully created the first lab-grown diamonds using the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method. This process mimicked the natural conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth. Initially, these lab diamonds were small and primarily used for industrial applications, such as cutting and grinding tools. Over time, advancements in technology improved the quality and size of lab diamonds, making them suitable for use in jewelry.
Advancements in Technology: 1970s
By the 1970s, advancements in diamond synthesis allowed for the production of higher-quality diamonds. Companies began experimenting with chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a technique that creates diamonds by depositing carbon atoms layer by layer in a low-pressure environment. While the technology was still in its infancy, it opened the door to producing gem-quality diamonds in laboratories.
Jewelry-Quality Diamonds: 2000s
The early 2000s saw significant improvements in both the HPHT and CVD methods, enabling the production of larger and higher-quality diamonds suitable for jewelry. Companies like Apollo Diamond and Gemesis became pioneers in commercializing lab-grown diamonds for the consumer market.
When Did Lab Grown Diamonds Become Popular?
The popularity of lab-grown diamonds began to rise significantly in the mid-2010s. This increase was driven by several factors:
- Technological Advancements: Improved production methods led to higher-quality lab diamonds that were virtually indistinguishable from natural ones.
- Ethical Considerations: Consumers became more aware of the environmental and ethical issues associated with diamond mining, leading them to seek out alternatives.
- Affordability: Lab-grown diamonds offered a more cost-effective option compared to natural diamonds, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
In 2012, Brilliant Earth was one of the first in the industry to sell lab diamonds, a mining-free alternative to natural diamonds. In more recent years, we’ve made significant strides in sustainability within the lab-grown diamond industry – including our Capture Collection, which uses CO2 before it’s released into the atmosphere to create lab diamonds, and Renewable Collection, which includes lab diamonds grown, cut, and polished using 100% renewable energy. We were also one of the first retailers to offer SCS Sustainably Rated lab diamonds, which are carbon neutral.
Today, lab-grown diamonds are widely accepted and celebrated for their mining-free production methods, affordability, and technological sophistication.
