Ever tried to buy sustainable diamonds but got lost in jargon like, made with the HPHT process? Unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are created in a matter of weeks in a controlled environment. The High-Pressure High Temperature process is one of the efficient methods used to manufacture certified or licensed diamonds.
In this brief guide, we'll dive into the HPHT process and help you understand how a HPHT diamond manufacturer creates cruelty-free diamonds.
High Pressure High Temperature Method: How They Replicate the Process of Natural Mined Diamonds
In the HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) process, a small diamond seed crystal is placed in pure carbon and given high pressure above 8,70,000 pounds per square inch and a temperature between 1300-1600 degrees in a laboratory. They melt and grow to become diamonds at the end of the result. In essence, these lab processes replicate the natural or mined diamond formation that occurs deep within the Earth's crust, subjected to high pressure and temperature.
Once the diamond is created at the Lab-Grown Diamond Company, it is cut and polished to the desired shape by a diamond cutter.
HPHT: Process and Growth
Because the processes of mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds differ holistically, so do their internal structure and pattern. For instance, lab-grown diamonds have cubic faces, while natural diamonds do not have them. To understand this better, we need to delve into the entire process.
If we look into the finer details, in HPHT diamond growth, it all begins within a small capsule inside a high-pressure machine. This capsule contains carbon in the form of metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. Graphite dissolves, helping to reduce the pressure and temperature around the seed to create diamonds. Subsequently, carbon migrates through this mixture and adheres to the seed, transforming it into a diamond crystal. This intricate process spans several weeks.
The History of HPHT Diamonds
The first lab-grown diamond using the HPHT process was created in the 1950s. The USA-based firm, General Electric, produced the first synthetic diamonds, weighing in at just 0.00075 carats. Irrespective of the carat size, this breakthrough discovery made sure that it was possible to mimic earth-mined diamonds in a sustainable manner. Now, ABD Diamond boasts of creating the finest edition of jewelry pieces using this technology.
The Bottom Line
Among various methods, the HPHT method has proven to be the most reliable. In just a few years, it has the potential to replace the costly and environmentally unfriendly process of mining diamonds. In addition to sustainability, HPHT diamonds eliminate the need for intermediaries and the wait of millions of years, making them more affordable. This makes them a favorite choice for both self-gifting and giving to loved ones.