Today, lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced by two methods: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high pressure, high temperature (HPHT). While both offer a controlled environment, the HTHP is more costly and less energy efficient. The thermodynamic process involves placing a diamond seed into pure carbon, then exposing it to intense pressure and heat. The carbon attaches to the diamond seed in 14 different directions and forms a rough diamond with a complex cuboctahedron shape.
CVD is a more economical and sustainable process, using vacuum chambers to convert carbon-heavy gasses into plasma with less energy consumption. Kinetics allows the carbon atoms inside the chamber to build on top of the diamond seed in a single vertical direction, so the rough diamond grows into a cleaner square shape.
Lab-grown diamonds are cut, polished, and evaluated by a certified gemologist, just like mined diamonds. They can be sold as loose diamonds or set into jewelry.

As a jewelry company that is vertically integrated, VALTHEA eliminates middlemen and markups to provide diamonds of impeccable value and origin. We own the complete diamond production process, including cutting and polishing studios, so our diamonds pass through fewer hands and incur fewer expenses along the way. Utilizing superior technology, renewable energy, and an overall carbon-neutral process, our prices reflect the more economical and sustainable means we’ve created to grow our own diamonds in today’s market. We offer complete transparency throughout this process and ensure that every one of our diamonds has no human or environmental toll.

Atomically identical to one another, the only difference between our lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds is their distinct and cutting-edge provenance. Every VALTHEA diamond truly represents the beauty of evolution.

Officially, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines a diamond as “A mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system” and whether a diamond is mined or created, both share this chemical composition. The difference and designation between lab-grown and mined diamonds lie in the way in which it is created. Titles like “lab-grown” and “mined” designate origin; while mined diamonds are extracted through complex pit, underground or alluvial methods and utilize heavy machinery and an extensive amount of labor, created diamonds are made by replicating the way diamonds are made in nature with no negative environmental or human toll.

The difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds could be compared to the difference between ice formed outside on a winter’s day versus ice that’s formed inside your refrigerator.

You can read our in-depth explanation of the

 Carat is a unit of weight, not size, so measurements can vary.

 Colors of diamonds range from D (Colorless) to Z (Colored). Diamonds in the G-J range are considered "near colorless", meaning it is difficult to detect color in them but there can be a slight warmth in the diamond. Colorless diamonds (ranging from D to F) are extremely rare, so most diamonds on today's market range in the G-J range. The color metal you plan to set the diamond in is important, as "I" colored stones may have some warmth and are recommended and preferred in Yellow and Rose Gold settings, so the warmth in the setting can reflect off of the slight tint in the diamond.

 Clarity refers to a diamond's inclusions. Inclusions are very slight imperfections in the diamond's interior that are nearly invisible to the naked eye and typically require 10x magnification to view. Diamonds that are VS2+ will be eye-clean, with imperfections only visible under 10x magnification.

 Finally, cut refers to how the stone was polished to reflect the most light and brilliance - aka, the diamond's sparkle. Ideal is the best we offer, meaning it meets exact proportions to reflect the most light. Only Round Brilliants can be graded as Ideal, because their proportions have been perfected by empirical and mathematical data, and have the strictest cut standards out of all the shapes. Excellent is a step below that, and then Very Good and Good.