Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGD): 

• These are diamonds created in a laboratory, and they share the same chemical composition and physical and optical properties as natural diamonds. 
• Usually, Graphite is used as the seed to create LGD.

Formation Process

• Created in a laboratory using high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT), or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods.

Environmental Impact

• Generally considered more environmentally friendly as they require fewer resources and land compared to mining.

Ethical Considerations

• Conflict-free and avoid supporting unethical mining practices, such as human rights violations.

Utility for India:

• LGD would not impact India’s established diamond industry because similar processes of polishing and cutting are required for LGD as well.

Applications:

•  LGDs are useful for many industrial purposes due to their hardness and strength. They’re perfect for machines, tools, and cutters.
•  Pure synthetic diamonds also play a role in electronics, where they’re used to dissipate heat in high-power laser diodes, laser arrays, and transistors.

Environmental Impact: 

• Producing LGDs is more environmentally friendly than mining natural diamonds.
• It takes almost ten times more energy to mine a natural diamond than to create a lab-grown one.

Why in News:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gifted a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond, also known as green diamond to US First Lady Jill Biden on his visit to the USA.