What Is a Lab Grown Green Diamond?

A lab grown green diamond is a real diamond created in a laboratory with the same chemical composition as natural diamonds, but featuring a rare green color. These diamonds offer the beauty and durability of traditional diamonds while providing unique color options for distinctive engagement rings.

Here are the key facts you need to know:

• Lab grown green diamonds are created using HPHT or CVD methods with identical properties to natural diamonds
• Green color intensity ranges from fancy light to fancy vivid classifications affecting value
• They pass all diamond tests and receive proper certification from GIA or IGI
• Green diamonds offer the same hardness and durability as colorless diamonds
• Custom settings can enhance the unique green color for stunning engagement rings

Mikado Diamonds specializes in custom engagement rings featuring lab grown diamonds, including green diamonds. Our process includes expert diamond selection first, followed by custom design with detailed renderings, transparent pricing, and personalized guidance throughout creation.

Green diamonds require specialized knowledge for proper selection and setting design. Keep reading to discover how to choose the perfect green diamond and create a truly unique engagement ring.

How Lab Grown Green Diamonds Are Created

Lab grown green diamonds are created using two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both processes can produce green coloration, though the mechanisms differ significantly.

HPHT Method for Green Diamonds

The HPHT process recreates the extreme conditions found deep in the Earth's mantle. 

The green color in HPHT diamonds typically occurs through:

• Natural radiation exposure during the growth process
• Controlled introduction of specific trace elements
• Structural defects that absorb red and yellow light wavelengths

CVD Process for Green Color Formation

CVD diamonds grow in a controlled chamber where carbon-rich gases are broken down by plasma. The green coloration develops when:

• Hydrogen and methane gases interact with trace nitrogen
• Specific growth conditions create color centers in the crystal lattice
• Post-growth treatments enhance or modify the green intensity

The CVD method often produces more consistent green coloration compared to HPHT, making it preferred for creating fancy colored diamonds with predictable results.

Why Green Color Occurs Naturally in Lab Processes

Unlike some colored diamonds that require post-growth treatments, green lab diamonds can develop their color naturally during creation. The controlled laboratory environment allows for precise management of the conditions that create green color centers.

This natural color formation means the green hue is permanent and won't fade over time, just like in natural green diamonds.

Certification Standards for Colored Lab Diamonds

All reputable colored lab diamonds receive certification from recognized gemological institutes like GIA or IGI. These certificates specify:

• Color grade and intensity (Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid)
• Origin confirmation as laboratory grown
• Any treatments applied post-growth
• Standard 4Cs grading adapted for colored stones

At Mikado Diamonds, we ensure every colored lab diamond comes with proper certification, giving you confidence in your unique green diamond's authenticity and quality. Our expanding colored diamond collection includes various green intensities, perfect for creating truly distinctive custom engagement rings.

Green Diamond Color Grading and Intensity Levels

Green diamonds follow a specialized color grading system that measures the intensity and saturation of their green hue. Understanding these classifications is crucial when selecting a green diamond, as intensity levels directly impact both beauty and value.

How Are Green Diamonds Graded for Color Intensity?

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI) use the same basic color intensity scale for green diamonds:

• Faint Green: Barely detectable green tint
• Very Light Green: Subtle green color visible under proper lighting
• Light Green: Noticeable green hue with moderate saturation
• Fancy Light Green: Clear green color with good saturation
• Fancy Green: Rich green color with strong saturation
• Fancy Intense Green: Deep, vibrant green with excellent saturation
• Fancy Vivid Green - The most saturated and valuable green grade
• Fancy Deep Green - Dark green with maximum color depth

GIA vs IGI Grading for Green Lab-Grown Diamonds

Both GIA and IGI provide reliable grading for green lab-grown diamonds, but there are key differences:

GIA Grading:

• More conservative color grading approach
• Higher industry recognition and resale value
• Slightly higher certification costs

IGI Grading:

• More liberal with color intensity classifications
• Faster turnaround times for lab-grown diamonds
• Often preferred by lab-grown diamond specialists

When selecting a green lab-grown diamond, focus on the actual appearance rather than just the grade. We recommend viewing diamonds from multiple grading institutes to find the best combination of color intensity and value for your custom design.

Are Lab Grown Green Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Yes, lab grown green diamonds are absolutely real diamonds. They possess the exact same chemical composition (pure carbon arranged in a crystal lattice structure) as natural diamonds, making them identical at the molecular level.

The confusion often stems from the word "lab grown," which some people mistakenly interpret as "synthetic" or "fake." However, lab grown diamonds are genuine diamonds created through advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond formation process in controlled laboratory conditions.

Why Lab Grown Green Diamonds Pass All Diamond Tests

Lab grown green diamonds pass every standard diamond test because they are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds:

• Hardness testing: They score 10 on the Mohs scale, just like natural diamonds
• Thermal conductivity: They conduct heat at the same rate as mined diamonds
• Optical properties: They exhibit identical brilliance, fire, and scintillation
• Electrical conductivity: They display the same electrical properties

The only way to distinguish between lab grown and natural green diamonds is through specialized gemological equipment that can detect microscopic growth patterns and trace elements.

Industry Recognition and Certification Standards

Major gemological institutions fully recognize lab grown green diamonds as real diamonds:

• GIA (Gemological Institute of America): Issues official diamond grading reports for lab grown diamonds
• IGI (International Gemological Institute): Provides comprehensive certification using the same 4Cs grading system
• GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab): Offers detailed analysis and certification

These certifications evaluate lab grown green diamonds using identical standards applied to natural diamonds, including cut, clarity, carat weight, and color intensity.

At Mikado Diamonds, we work exclusively with certified lab grown green diamonds that meet the highest quality standards. Our colored diamond collection includes various green intensities, from subtle hints to vivid green hues, all backed by proper certification and our commitment to transparency in diamond selection.

The bottom line: lab grown green diamonds are real diamonds that offer the same beauty, durability, and brilliance as their natural counterparts, often at significantly better value.

Green Diamonds vs Traditional Colorless Diamonds

When choosing between green diamonds and traditional colorless diamonds, you're comparing two completely different approaches to expressing your unique style. 

While both offer identical durability and brilliance, green diamonds bring something truly extraordinary to the table.

Rarity Makes Green Diamonds Stand Out

Green diamonds are among the rarest colored diamonds in the world. Even in lab-grown form, they require precise conditions to achieve their stunning color, making them significantly more unique than traditional colorless diamonds. This rarity translates into a piece of jewelry that truly 

reflects your individual taste and story.

The color intensity in green diamonds ranges from faint green to vivid green, with each level offering a different personality. Unlike colorless diamonds where the focus is on clarity and cut perfection, green diamonds celebrate their distinctive hue as the primary attraction.

Perfect for Distinctive Engagement Rings

Green diamonds excel in custom engagement ring designs where you want to break away from traditional expectations. 

At Mikado Diamonds, we've seen couples choose green lab-grown diamonds specifically because they want their engagement ring to reflect their unique relationship rather than following conventional trends.

The color pairs beautifully with both white and yellow gold settings, and the contrast creates stunning visual impact. Since about 70% of our engagement rings involve some level of customization, green diamonds offer the perfect opportunity to create something that's unmistakably yours.

With lab-grown green diamonds, you can afford larger carat weights and more elaborate custom settings than you might with natural colored diamonds, making your vision more achievable than ever.

Finding Your Perfect Green Diamond

Green diamonds represent one of nature's rarest color phenomena, requiring precise formation conditions that make them extraordinarily scarce. Whether natural or lab-grown, these gems demand specialized knowledge to source, evaluate, and set properly. 

Without expert guidance, you risk overpaying, receiving poor quality, or missing out on the perfect stone for your vision.

That's where Mikado Diamonds comes in, specializing in lab-grown diamonds including stunning green varieties. We combine 15+ years of diamond expertise with custom design capabilities to help you find or create the perfect green diamond piece that matches your style and budget.

Explore our expanding colored diamond collection today and discover how a lab-grown green diamond can become the centerpiece of your unique engagement ring or custom jewelry design.