Whenever there are talks regarding diamonds, one term has to come up on occasion, CVD diamonds. But what exactly are CVD diamonds, and how are they different from natural diamonds? Let’s dive in.

The History Of CVD Diamonds

The patent for CVD diamonds was first issued in the 1950s. However the process could not produce diamonds that are of gem-quality until the 1980s. But still it was difficult to make the process available for commercial use since only one diamond could be ‘grown’ at a time. However, with modern technology, multiple diamonds can undergo the process simultaneously. 

How Are CVD Diamonds Made?

CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition, and is a process by which a diamond is created from carbon gas. This process takes place in a vacuum chamber. This involves depositing a thin layer of carbon atoms onto a substrate which is usually made of silicone. A diamond lattice is then formed after the carbon atoms have bonded.

Differences Between CVD Diamonds and Natural Diamonds

When it comes to physical characteristics of CVD diamonds (in terms of hardness, clarity, thermal conductivity, durability and so on ), they do not differ much from natural diamonds.  Apart from being created in a laboratory setting unlike naturally occurring diamonds, CVD diamonds are also different in the following ways:

They Are Less Expensive

There are a few reasons why CVD diamonds are cheaper;

  1. The process of mining a natural diamond is more expensive than that of ‘growing’ one in a laboratory.
  2. CVD diamonds have lower demand. A higher number of people prefer an authentic  mined diamond over one from a lab.
  3. Mass production of CVD diamonds is possible, this makes their price lower.
  4. Natural diamonds go through many hands thus increases the price for the final buyer. For CVD diamonds, the supply chain is not as long so the markup is not as high.

That being said, one can save between 20% to 40% on the purchase of a CVD diamond compared to a natural diamond.

Value

CVD diamonds can be mass produced, this makes them hold less value compared to natural diamonds that are rare and one of a kind. Keeping that in mind, it would be accurate to say that it is difficult for a CVD diamond to appreciate value with time. As for natural diamonds, one can sell it after a few years for a much higher price.

The benefits of using CVD diamonds

  • Because they are made in controlled environments, CVD diamonds may have less impurities or defects.
  • One saves more money on purchase. Also, CVD diamonds with color variations are more affordable than natural colored diamonds.

So, should one consider a CVD diamond? It depends on your nature. If you want an environmentally friendly diamond that still looks fabulous and is still affordable, a CVD diamond is hands down a great option.