Heart In Diamond has revolutionized the diamond-creation industry by investing in equipment that helps keep the operating costs low enough to make it affordable to have a cremation or memorial diamond made from the hair or ashes of a loved one.
Keep reading to take a look at the technical side behind the high-pressure-high-temperature process used by Heart In Diamond to grow synthetic diamonds from either hair or cremated ashes.
What are HPHT diamonds?
HPHT diamonds are diamonds that have been made from a source of carbon using the HPHT diamond-growing method. These are authentic diamonds that are made from the carbon that has been extracted from the cremated remains of a loved one. These diamonds are also sometimes made from locks of hair.
HPHT is short for high-pressure high-temperature, which references this method of authentic diamond manufacturing. There are three different types of manufacturing processes using the HPHT method: the cubic press, a belt press, the split-sphere (BARS) press. All three processes create an environment with extremely high temperatures and pressures conducive to diamond growth.
When did HPHT technology emerge?
The HPHT method of diamond manufacturing inside of the laboratory setting was invented in the mid-1950s. After Dr. Tracy Hall first talked about his discovery that led to the creation of a diamond, this is what he had to say about the event:
"My hands began to tremble; my heart beat rapidly; my knees weakened and no longer gave support - I knew that diamonds had finally been made by man."
Hall's experiment was successfully repeated and they were able to hold a press conference and make the official announcement that they harnessed the technology to successfully grow authentic diamonds in the laboratory setting. For more than half a century, scientists continued to replicate and perfect the process.
It was around the turn of the 21st century when commercial businesses were able to buy the equipment and make these custom diamonds affordable to the general public. Heart In Diamond was one of those pioneers in the HPHT diamond industry.
HPHT diamond creation in comparison to earth's process
It is commonly believed by scientists that the process that occurs naturally deep within the earth's mantle takes 1 to 3.3 billion years to turn carbon into a diamond. At the Heart In Diamond headquarters in the UK, they have perfected the process and can grow an authentic diamond from the ashes of a loved one who has passed away or hair from anyone alive or deceased in as little as 75 to 120 days.
The HPHT process is now also being applied as a color enhancement treatment to diamonds from the earth and lab-created diamonds continue to consume a larger share of the overall diamond industry.
How are diamonds made from ashes or hair?
Carbon must be extracted from the original source (whether that is from hair, cremated ashes, or another type of organic material) first, in order to grow a diamond from it. Each company will have its own specific requirements when it comes to the desired amount of organic material that you send in. For example, if you order a cremation diamond from the leading company, Heart In Diamond (you can learn more about their process here), you are required to send in 2⁄3 cup (5.3 oz) of ashes or 1⁄2 cup (4 oz) of hair regardless of the diamond size. This organic sample is analyzed for its exact chemical composition and then exposed to extreme heat in order to extract the pure carbon from the sample.
This pure carbon is used to create the diamond core foundation, which is then placed into the HPHT (High-Pressure-High-Temperature) machine. The machine creates an environment that mimics the elements that create diamonds in nature, which are extreme heat (in excess of 3,632°F) and extreme pressure (in excess of 60,000 Atmospheres).
After a few weeks, this diamond growing foundation has grown into a diamond. A few more weeks inside of the HPHT machine are usually required to make the gemstone achieve the desired color and weight.
Once the diamond growing phase has completed, specialists will cut and polish the lab diamond to the same industry standards that a mined diamond would be held to and in accordance with any specified preferences for the order. When a person buys a cremation diamond from Heart in Diamond, once it is cut and polished, it then goes through very strict quality control and grading processes. An Authenticity Certificate is issued that contains all the specific details about the personalized diamond and included with the delivery of the diamond and/or jewelry either in person or by certified mail courier.
What's the difference between synthetic diamonds and simulants?
Diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia, moissanite, and white sapphire, are just that, simulants. Fake. Imitation. Not real. Unlike those, lab-grown diamonds share the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. In fact, because they are created in such a strictly controlled environment, typically the only difference is that lab diamonds are more perfect with fewer inclusions noted.
How HPHT can be used to change the color of mined diamonds
This technology can also be used to enhance or even change the color of a diamond that has been plucked from the ground. A diamond is simply placed in the core of the HPHT machine and the elements inside will permanently enhance the gemstone's color in order to achieve the desired color that has grades that range from D to H.
Important things to remember about HPHT diamonds
There are many reasons why so many people are starting to choose synthetic diamonds over their mined counterparts. They are real diamonds that have much affordable price tags and they have fewer imperfections than mined diamonds. They are also more environmentally conscious as they do not require the destruction of entire ecosystems for their production. Check out the selection of HPHT diamonds at HID to learn more.
