Some diamonds are made using the CVD method. CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition. The name is generally greeted with blank stares and sparked controversy among the uninformed; many people have no clue what CVD diamonds are. CVD isn’t an abbreviation that most people outside the jewelry industry are familiar with. And that’s a shame because CVD diamonds are certainly worth investigating for someone fascinated with diamonds, their ecological and social impact, and their cost.
What Exactly Are CVD Diamonds?
Simply explained, some diamonds are found below and others are found above ground. CVD diamonds are diamonds that have been created by a chemical process. CVD diamonds, unlike mined diamonds, are manufactured in labs and take billions of years to develop deep underneath the Earth’s crust. CVD diamonds, in particular, are made using a method known as Chemical Vapor Deposition.
CVD diamonds may be labeled “synthetic,” but don’t be fooled by the name. They are indistinguishable from natural diamonds in every way, from their inner atomic structure to the way they dazzle on your finger. CVD diamonds have the same appearance as “natural” diamonds. Even an experienced jeweler is unable to tell the difference.
Is It True That All Lab-Grown Diamonds Are CVD Diamonds?
Despite the fact that lab-created diamonds have been there for a long time, CVD is a relatively recent method. Prior to the introduction of this technology, labs depended on the High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method. Given the high temperatures and pressures required in the HPHT process — around 2732°F and 1.5 million pounds of pressure per square inch — CVD is a far more efficient way of diamond growth. In fact, current diamond testers will now identify HPHT diamonds as moissanite.
Are CVD Diamonds Cheap?
Whenever we say CVD diamonds are cheap, we’re referring to the fact that they’re often 20–30% less expensive than natural diamonds. So, for the same price as a 1.5-carat mined diamond, you could have a 2-carat CVD diamond instead. This is attributable to three causes in particular. 1) the exorbitant cost of drilling deep trenches in the ground. 2) The extensive supply chain that comes with mined diamonds, and 3) the background of monopolistic pricing manipulation.
That isn’t to suggest that CVD diamonds aren’t precious; they very definitely are. After all, they are real diamonds in every sense. In diamond engagement rings and other jewelry, CVD diamonds are frequently used to great effect. If you are on a budget, then CVD diamonds are the right option for your engagement rings.