How Are Man-Made Diamonds Different From Natural?

Natural Diamonds

• Diamonds are made of carbon atoms arranged in a specific structure in which they are bonded to one another. This structure makes the diamond into a highly durable substance. Natural diamonds are formed deep in the earth by heat and pressure, which turns the carbon into the hardest material known. The diamonds are brought to the earth's surface by volcanic eruptions, and are lodged in mantle rock known as xenoliths. The diamonds can then be mined from the xenoliths. Diamonds are considered the most precious gemstone used in jewelry.

Properties of Natural Mined Diamonds

• Natural mined diamonds possess unique characteristics among gemstones. A perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which ranks the hardness of gems from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), diamonds have the highest thermal conductivity, meaning that diamond microchips are potentially capable of increasing the speed of microprocessors in the semiconductor industry. Diamonds are also excellent electrical insulators, are transparent to visible, infrared and UV light, and are chemically inert to most acids and bases.

History of Man-Made Diamonds

• Man-made diamonds were first produced for industrial use in the 1950s. Synthetic diamonds and diamond dust were used to coat cutting tools, such as grinding wheels, saws and drill bits. More recently, gem-grade synthetic diamonds for use in jewelry have been produced by growing crystals under high temperatures and pressure. These "cultured diamonds" have properties and characteristics that identically match those of natural mined diamonds, and are produced by companies like Gemesis in Sarasota, Florida and Apollo Diamond in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Differences

• Gem experts are hard pressed to tell the difference between natural mined diamonds and the gem-quality cultured diamonds of today. Cultured man-made diamonds manifest the same properties and chemical composition as real natural diamonds, including being a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, the same index of refraction, dispersion and specific gravity weight. The primary difference is that natural diamonds are imperfect: structural irregularities or chemical impurities always occur in nature, but manufactured diamonds are flawless. In addition, man-made diamonds cost much less to produce than natural diamonds.