Cultured Diamonds
IGI.org | Lab Grown Diamonds | Cultured Diamonds
The term “cultured diamonds” is not accepted in all parts of the world, but in North America cultured diamond is one of several terms the FTC approves for promotion of lab grown diamonds, as long as it’s “qualified by a clear and conspicuous disclosure conveying that the diamond is not mined.”
Note: IGI uses the term lab grown diamonds to refer to man-made gemstones which are optically, chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. While this is one of several terms used for legal trade in the USA, be advised that some countries disallow those terms, requiring use of “laboratory grown diamond” (unabbreviated) or a separate term like “synthetic diamond,” to clearly differentiate the product.
“Cultured diamonds,” more commonly called lab grown diamonds, are not imitation gems like cubic zirconia or Moissanite, which are “simulants” that simulate diamond properties. They are real diamonds, identical to their natural counterparts in terms of optical and physical properties and chemical composition. The only difference lies in their formation. While natural diamonds formed billions of years ago, deep within the Earth’s mantle, so-called cultured diamonds are created in a laboratory under controlled conditions.
Description of the term cultured
The term “cultured” has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word “cultura,” which means “cultivation” or “tending.” Over time, this Latin term evolved into “cultured” in English.
Originally, “cultured” was used in the context of agriculture and farming to describe the process of cultivating crops or raising animals. It implied a deliberate and controlled effort to promote growth and development.
In the context of human behavior and society, “cultured” came to be associated with refinement, education, and sophistication. A “cultured” person was one who had been educated in the arts, literature, and manners, suggesting a certain level of refinement and intellectual development.
In modern usage, the term “cultured” can still refer to someone who is refined and well-educated, but it is also used in various other contexts. For example, in the case of “cultured diamonds,” it refers to diamonds that are grown under controlled laboratory conditions rather than being mined from the earth. In this sense, “cultured” implies a deliberate process of cultivation or growth, similar to its original agricultural connotation.
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Lab-created diamonds are sustainable, ethically sourced gems, identical to mined diamonds in their physical, chemical, and optical properties. They offer the same brilliance and beauty, but are produced in a lab within weeks, making them a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative for those seeking the allure of diamonds without the environmental impact.
Engineered diamond is a term that is sometimes used to describe a lab grown diamond, which is the more appropriate FTC and ISO approved term for diamonds created using modern technology. The term "engineered" often implies that something artificially made or manipulated, which can lead to misconceptions about the authenticity of a gemstone. However, lab grown diamonds are not artificial or fake. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.
The term "cultured diamonds" is not accepted in all parts of the world, but in North America cultured diamond is another name for a lab grown or lab created diamond. These are not imitation gems like cubic zirconia or Moissanite, which are "simulants" that simulate diamond properties. They are real diamonds, identical to their natural counterparts in terms of optical and physical properties and chemical composition.