The Formation of Lab-Grown Colored Diamonds
So how are colored diamonds cultivated? Are they really identical to natural diamonds? To understand lab-grown colored diamonds, we must first understand how natural colored diamonds are formed. The color of natural colored diamonds results from the inclusion of trace elements during the diamond's formation. By understanding the formation of natural colored diamonds, we can explain how lab-grown yellow, blue, green, purple, and pink diamonds are formed.
Lab-Grown Yellow Diamonds
Natural yellow diamonds acquire their yellow color due to the inclusion of nitrogen elements during their formation. Lab-grown yellow diamonds are formed by injecting the same nitrogen elements in the laboratory.
Lab-Grown Blue Diamonds
Natural blue diamonds acquire their blue color due to the inclusion of boron elements during their formation. Lab-grown blue diamonds are formed by injecting the same boron elements in the laboratory.
Lab-Grown Pink Diamonds
The formation of natural pink diamonds is quite unique compared to other colored diamonds. Their formation is due to crystal lattice distortions causing changes in surrounding electrons, which then absorb and release infrared light, resulting in their color.
The color of lab-grown pink diamonds comes from being treated through irradiation and low-temperature annealing. During this process, N-V centers are created, which primarily absorb yellow and orange-yellow light, causing the diamond to appear pink. This is the source of color for most pink diamonds.
Lab-Grown Green Diamonds
Natural green diamonds are formed when they are exposed to natural radiation or certain trace elements (such as nickel or vanadium) during their formation. Natural green diamonds are extremely rare, and lab-grown green diamonds are also quite uncommon in the market. To create lab-grown green diamonds, a precise combination of radiation and various elements is necessary.
Lab-Grown Purple Diamonds
Natural purple diamonds acquire their purple color due to the inclusion of hydrogen during their formation. Lab-grown purple diamonds are formed by injecting the same hydrogen in the laboratory.
