Synthetic diamond or artificial diamonds are the diamonds produced in a technological process; as opposed to natural diamond that take millions of years to form. Synthetic diamond is also widely known as HPHT diamond or CVD diamond, denoting the production method, High-Pressure High-Temperature synthesis and Chemical Vapor Deposition, respectively.
In the 1940s, systematic research began in the United States, Sweden and the Soviet Union to grow diamond using CVD and HPHT processes. The first reproducible synthesis was reported around 1953. Those two processes still dominate the production of synthetic diamond. A third method, known as detonation synthesis, entered the diamond market in the late 1990s. In this process, nanometer-sized diamond grains are created in a detonation of carbon-containing explosives.
Certified geologists have trouble distinguishing mined diamonds from their manufactured counterparts. Some people believe the strict line between the origins of the stones is not important. Others maintain that consumers want the real thing, and will not settle for anything artificial because it is not as special, valuable, or traditional.
Gemesis became the first company to produce these diamonds on a commercial scale. It started marketing its diamonds by polishing them and selling directly to jewelry retailers. In 2005 diamond industry vet Clark McEwen joined the company and change the distribution model to emulate that of natural diamond miners. The company now sells rough diamonds to polishing companies.
These diamonds are believed to one day take the place of the real diamonds and stop the flow of blood diamonds that flow in from many war torn countries.
Tags: artificial, diamond, gemesis, synthetic
