Let’s Talk Real Diamonds
When shopping for fine jewellery, terms like “diamond”, “sustainable”, and “lab-grown” are everywhere.
The term “diamond” carries weight, and not just in carats. It signals luxury, permanence, and value.
In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have emerged as a more responsible alternative to mined diamonds, also knows as natural diamonds. But as demand grows, so does variation in quality, sourcing, and ethics.
And that’s where things get complicated.
Not all diamonds—and not all lab-grown diamonds—are created equal.
Understanding the difference is essential if you care about quality, ethics, and long-term value.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds
Lab-grown vs. Natural Diamonds. What's the real difference?
Both mined natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds offer exceptional beauty and durability. They are chemically, physically and optically identical. Both have the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale).
Understanding the differences between these two types of diamonds empowers you to make an informed decision based on your values, budget, and personal preferences.
Mined natural diamonds are formed over millions of years, roughly 150km below the earth’s surface from carbon which is subjected to high pressure and high temperature. The rough natural diamonds are then mined from the earth, often with limited traceability. Rough mined diamonds are then assessed by master polishers to determine the cutting and polishing approach which will yield the most optimal finished diamond.
[ Photo credit GIA.edu ]
How lab-grown diamonds are made
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or man-made diamonds, are produced in controlled environments using advanced technological processes. These diamonds have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds but are created in a fraction of the time. Delve Lab-Grown Diamonds. There are two main methods to produce lab-grown diamonds.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) This method replicates the natural conditions of diamond formation by applying extreme pressure and heat to carbon.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) In this process, a carbon-rich gas is converted into plasma, allowing carbon atoms to deposit layer by layer onto a diamond seed crystal, gradually forming a diamond.
Just like rough mined diamonds, rough lab-grown diamonds are then assessed by master polishers to determine the cutting and polishing approach which will yield the most optimal finished diamond.
Lab-grown diamonds are widely seen as a more sustainable and ethical alternative.
But that doesn't mean all lab-grown diamonds meet the same standard.
Don't be fooled!
The Hidden Side of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are often presented as a clear-cut solution. But the reality is more nuanced.
Some stones on the market are:
- Originally industrial-grade diamonds, repurposed for jewellery
- Post-production treated to enhance colour or clarity
- Produced in factories with questionable labour practices, including child labour or lack of oversight
- Manufactured using energy-intensive processes without regard for environmental impact
None of this is always visible to the end customer. And without transparency, it’s easy to be misled.
[ Photo Credit: dpcanada.com ]
What “Certified” Means at Delve
At Delve, we believe certification isn’t a marketing term — it’s a standard.
Every diamond we use is:
- Certified for quality and origin
- Created specifically for fine jewellery, not adapted from industrial quality
- Free from post-growth treatments or artificial enhancements
- Sourced from partners who adhere to strict ethical and environmental standards
Because a diamond’s story should be as transparent as the stone itself.
A New Standard of Luxury
Luxury is evolving. It’s no longer just about what you see — it’s about what you stand for.
At Delve, we use:
Certified and fully traceable CO2-neutral lab-grown diamonds
Certified recycled 18k gold
A supply chain built on traceability and accountability, not assumptions. Because the future of fine jewellery isn’t about illusion. It’s about intention.
Choose transparency
Choose responsibility
Choose Delve