Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
Buy new high quality natural diamonds from conflict-free areas (thus respecting “Kimberley” standards), at the best market prices, with the help and guarantee of a diamond expert, certified by the most prestigious gemological laboratory “GIA-Gemological Institute of America”.
A synthetic diamond is also called synthetic diamond, laboratory diamond or cultured diamond.
The synthetic diamond is a diamond manufactured in the laboratory by man. It has the same physical and chemical characteristics as natural diamond composition, hardness, gloss, shine, etc. It is therefore not a fake diamond but from a diamond which is not natural.
A short history
It was in 1954 that General ElectricMore specifically Tracy Hallpublishes its research and findings in the magazine Nature. It was at this time that the creation of the first synthetic diamond was officially recognised.
The first real use of synthetic diamonds in jewellery (gem quality) began in the mid-1990s. But it was not until the late 2010s that these synthetic stones began to gain ground in jewellery.
Properties
Diamonds, when they reach a certain degree of purity, combine exceptional mechanical, optical, thermal and electronic properties. Synthetic diamonds can be artificially “doped” with boronat the phosphorus or thenitrogenThe introduction of defects in the crystal structure (e.g., the formation of a new crystal) can be used to modify the electronic properties of the material. The introduction of defects in the crystal structure ( nitrogen-lacune centres or NV, for example) is also used in quantum physics.
A diamond can be single crystal, or polycrystalline, i.e. made of many smaller crystals. Large, clear, single-crystal diamonds are typically used in jewellery.
Hardness
Synthetic diamond is the hardest material known. Hardness is defined as scratch resistance and is rated from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), according to the Mohs mineral hardness scale.
The hardness of a synthetic diamond depends on its purity, crystal perfection and orientation: the hardness is higher for pure and flawless crystals
Impurities and inclusions
Each diamond contains atoms other than carbon in concentrations detectable by analytical methods. These atoms can be grouped into macroscopic phases called inclusions. Impurities are generally avoided, but may be incorporated, as a means of controlling certain properties of the diamond.
For example, a pure diamond is an electrical insulator, but a diamond with boron added is a conductor, and in some cases superconductor.
Synthesis technique
The HPHT technique (in French High pressure, high temperature) consists in mixing carbon (in an abundant form) and transition metals (which will act as catalysts) and subjecting the whole to a very high pressure (about 58,000 atmospheres) and temperature (about 1400°C). The diamond is then formed by germination and growth. In the temperature gradient method, a diamond seed is inserted into the reactor before the reaction.
The CVD technique (Chemical vapor deposition; in French Chemical Vapour Deposition) consists of growing the diamond in successive layers. The method consists of placing a layer of diamond (substrate or seed) in a chamber with a pressure of typically one tenth of an atmosphere. From thehydrogen and the methane (precursor gases) are then injected and the whole is then ionised using a microwave (frequency 2.45 GHz). A plasma is then initiated and the resulting species (ions, radicals, etc. from the initially injected gases) adsorb onto the substrate. The formation of a diamond layer that grows with time takes place after diffusion and surface reaction of the reactive species.
Difference with natural diamonds
Differentiating between synthetic and natural diamonds is difficult and may require special equipment.
The natural diamond giant De Beers is developing several techniques to detect these new diamonds. One of these techniques is to detect the growth form of the diamond, which is not the same as in nature. For example, diamonds obtained by the HPHT method create cube-shaped growth sectors. Some forms of impurities are also not found in nature.
The CVD method, on the other hand, produces diamonds that are more difficult to differentiate from natural diamonds, as they are very pure and the impurities and cubic growth zones are less distinguishable.
Certification
A synthetic diamond is evaluated according to four criteria, exactly as for the diamond natural: the 4 Cs: Carat (the weight of the diamond), Color (the colour of the diamond), Clarity (the purity of diamond) and Cut (the size of the diamond).
The main gemological laboratories that issue certificates for natural diamonds also issue certificates for synthetic diamonds, using exactly the same criteria to define their characteristics. The only difference between the two certificates is that on one it says “Natural Diamond” and on the other “Laboratory Grown Diamond”.
The majority of our diamonds are GIA, HRD and IGI certified.
In most cases, diamonds certified by the GIA, HRD and IGI carry a laser-engraved certificate number (only visible under a microscope or with a powerful 10x magnifying glass), which guarantees their traceability.
We also certify and encapsulate diamonds less than 0.15 carat or more as well as black diamonds. We guarantee our evaluation by respecting the rules of the GIA, by taking again the characteristics weight, size, color, purity and measurements.
We are professionals.
Let us advise you with our expert “Pascal” who has 43 years of experience as a Diamond Dealer in Antwerp-Belgium and who is also a graduate of the GIA – Gemological Institute of America.
Without intermediaries.
We guarantee the quality of our diamonds by selecting them carefully, taking into account all the essential criteria that go far beyond weight, color and purity. Two diamonds certified by the same laboratory and having the same weight, color and purity can have a very different value depending on other characteristics that define their quality and defect, generally unknown to the public and even to jewelers without specific training with ‘a prestigious gemological laboratory.
Many laboratories other than the GIA, HRD and IGI use the same definitions of the characteristics of these three main laboratories but do not respect their rigor. In other words, a certificate issued by another laboratory than the GIA, HRD or IGI, with the same definitions of the 4Cs of diamonds, can vary considerably and therefore greatly change the value of diamonds because they do not have the same rigor. .
In summary, in addition to the importance of the rigor of the laboratory that issues a certificate, it is important to buy with confidence from a professional who will be able to advise you in full knowledge of the facts.
The prices indicated are calculated on the basis of the “Rapaport” charter, the absolute reference for professionals to value diamonds.
Keep in mind that two diamonds apparently having the same characteristics in terms of weight, color and clarity, usually do not have the same value as there are other characteristics to take into account that can significantly influence their value. . It is therefore very important to buy a diamond from a professional who will be able to advise you with all the appropriate information to choose transparently and that is what we offer.
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