When it comes to hpht diamonds, two main methods exist: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high pressure high temperature (HPHT). These processes can create various gem-quality stones.
CVD is a process in which carbon-rich gas is injected into a vacuum chamber and heated to high temperatures, creating diamond crystals.
Cost
Hpht and CVD are two diamond growth processes that produce gem-quality diamond crystals. Each method has its advantages and drawbacks, so which is best suited to you depends on a few factors.
HPHT diamonds tend to be more costly than CVD vs HPHT ones and also less durable, meaning they won’t last as long.
Diamonds may exhibit a brown hue due to vacancies that form during growth. This effect, known as blue nuance, can cause concern among some consumers.
Thankfully, you don’t need to fret! Both HPHT and CVD techniques can produce real diamonds that are optically, chemically, and physically identical to natural diamonds.
Clarity
Clarity is one of the most critical factors when purchasing a diamond, as it can contain invisible flaws like tiny white specks, dark spots, cracks or scratches that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
These details, known as inclusions, are used to determine a diamond’s clarity grade. These imperfections can occur naturally during the formation of a diamond in the earth’s mantle or during mining and processing.
The clarity of a diamond is determined by how clearly natural features such as its number, type, color, size and position can be seen under ten times magnification. The GIA clarity scale is divided into five main categories with 11 grades total.
Generally, higher clarity diamonds are more desirable and will last longer than lower grades. It’s essential to remember that clarity grading does not accurately reflect a diamond’s transparency.
Origin
CVD diamonds are created in a different way than HPHT ones. They begin as thin slices of diamond seed that is sealed inside an enclosed chamber and heated to approximately 800 degrees Celsius.
The chamber is filled with carbon-rich gases like methane that are then ionized into plasma using microwaves and other techniques. This breaks down the molecular bonds in the gas and allows carbon to bond with a diamond seed, growing it layer by layer.
HPHT and CVD diamonds are real gem-quality stones that appear identical to natural diamonds, though they are produced in laboratories rather than from the Earth’s crust. Furthermore, these diamonds do not contain any nitrogen or other impurities.
Shape
The shape of CVD and Hpht diamonds is a critical indicator of their quality. Both processes produce colorless synthetic gems, yet they differ in several ways.
First and foremost, HPHT diamonds possess a cub octahedron shape with 14 growth directions while CVD diamonds possess cubic crystals with one direction of growth. These growth patterns serve as the main distinguishing factor between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Another distinction is that HPHT diamonds contain metals called fluxes, while CVD synthetic diamonds do not. These metals can be easily detected with a magnet and add an attractive metallic sheen to the stone.
HPHT and CVD both produce quality diamonds, but HPHT is the more cost-effective choice for those seeking an affordable lab-grown stone. Furthermore, since HPHT is rarer than CVD, you are more likely to find a higher-grade diamond when purchasing one from them.
Conclusion
However, if clarity is a significant factor for you, CVD diamonds may be the better choice since they tend to have fewer inclusions than HPHT diamonds. Additionally, if you’re looking for a specific shape or cut, you may want to consider the differences between the growth patterns of HPHT and CVD diamonds. Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to purchase your lab-grown diamonds from a reputable source to ensure that they have been properly graded and certified. In the end, the choice between HPHT and CVD diamonds ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities, as both methods produce beautiful, high-quality diamonds that are nearly identical to natural ones.
