MiaDonna is the world’s first lab-grown diamond company, the first B Corp-certified diamond enterprise, and the trailblazing retailer of carbon-negative diamonds. Since 2005, we've fused innovation, sustainability, and philanthropy to create engineered diamonds that stand among the rarest diamonds on Earth. Here's why our diamonds reign supreme!
Not all grown diamonds are created equal. MiaDonna’s are harder and brighter than 99% of all diamonds, no matter their origin. They’re real and they’re spectacular.
Since pioneering the industry in 2005, MiaDonna purchases have helped stop and repair the damage caused by diamond and gold mining industries.
We proudly back up our quality and sustainability claims with world-renown third-party certifications and verifications.
Lab grown diamonds, also known as engineered diamonds, synthetic diamonds, and lab diamonds, are REAL diamonds. They are grown in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technology to replicate the earth's natural process of crystallizing carbon into brilliant diamonds.
Each diamond grown possesses the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds, making them chemically, optically, and physically identical to earth-mined diamonds. Not only do they offer a sustainable and ethical alternative, they come at a more affordable price point without compromising quality.
Yes! It's a fact that lab diamonds are real diamonds, identical in every way (but the price!) to earth-mined diamonds. Except that MiaDonna’s lab-grown diamonds are better than 99% of all other diamonds, no matter their origin.
Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, moissanite, or a "look-a-like" diamond, grown diamonds are 100% pure crystallized carbon. Think of it as making ice in your modern-day freezer versus getting it from a glacier. Both are frozen H2O regardless of the origin.
We are crystalizing carbon into stunning rough diamonds that are then cut, polished, and graded just like earth-mined diamonds. Lab created diamonds carry the same optical, physical, and chemical properties. They have the same refractive index, dispersion, and hardness and are graded to the same standards as mined diamonds by leading independent gemological institutes, including the IGI, GIA, and GCAL.
Both of these diamonds are
graded the same: 1.02ct, SI2, H
On average, MiaDonna’s created diamonds are priced up to 50% less than an earth-mined diamond of equivalent quality. However, the price of a lab-grown diamond depends on various factors such as the 4 c’s - carat weight, cut, color, and clarity, just like mined diamonds. This affordability opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to choose a larger or higher quality lab-grown diamond for your budget. So, if you're looking for exceptional value without compromising on beauty, lab-grown diamonds are an enticing and cost-effective choice.
What factors influence the price of lab-grown diamonds?
The difference in price is because our supply chain is so much shorter. Earth-mined diamonds can travel to five countries and touch 20 hands before it reaches the end consumer. MiaDonna’s lab-created diamonds go from our labs to our casting house to you. Not only is it more efficient, but it’s also better for your wallet and the environment.
Grown diamonds are made one of two ways— either through High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT), or through Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The majority of MiaDonna’s diamonds are grown using CVD which has been the most successful method in producing higher quality diamonds.
Learn more about MiaDonna’s History in lab diamonds.
Scientists start the process of growing a MiaDonna diamond by cutting a small piece of carbon, known as a seed. It is placed in a low-pressure microwave chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber. Hydrogen and methane gases combine with electrical energy, which ignites a plasma ball. From there, a cloud forms in the chamber, and carbon molecules rain on the seed. Within six to 12 weeks, a sizable rough diamond is formed. It is then cut, polished, and graded by the same world-renowned labs that certify earth-mined diamonds.
HPHT recreates the natural growing environment found within the earth and is typically used to grow smaller gem diamonds. There are a few different types of HPHT technologies used. But the process best suited for producing gem-quality Lab Grown Diamonds to be set in finished jewelry is created using a BARS press.
The BARS press was invented by Russian scientists and uses a combination of inner and outer anvils to apply hydraulic pressure to the growth cell within the unit. The growth cell itself contains all the elements necessary to grow a diamond, including a tiny diamond seed, highly refined graphite, and a catalyst consisting of a mixture of metals and powders.
Consistent temperatures reaching 1,300 degrees Celsius and over 50,000 atmospheres of pressure are applied to the growth cell. Over a few days, the elements within the growth cell melt and then reform during cooling to create finished, rough, Lab Grown Diamonds ready to be extracted for cutting and polishing.
A grading certificate, also known as a diamond certificate or diamond grading report, provides an in-depth assessment and evaluation of a diamond's characteristics and quality. It serves as an objective and independent verification of a diamond's attributes, allowing buyers to make informed decisions and understand the value of their purchase. When it comes to lab-grown diamond grading, it follows a similar system to natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are assessed based on the same criteria as mined diamonds, including the 4Cs: carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. These grading factors determine the quality and value of a lab-grown diamond.
Pro tip! Some lab-grown diamond companies grade their own diamonds, which is a huge conflict of interest. Make sure you buy a diamond with an independent grading report from a reputable diamond grading organization -- American grading labs are always best.
MiaDonna’s lab-grown diamonds are graded by IGI, GCAL, and GIA. Find your IGI graded lab diamond. Find your GCAL graded lab diamond. Find your GIA graded lab grown diamond.
As the first grown diamond company in America to be a Certified B Corporation, we have proven our commitment to not only meet but exceed the highest standards in social and environmental performance.
Every lab created diamond from MiaDonna is guaranteed conflict-free and sourced from highly sophisticated labs where they are created and cut in a controlled environment. But we go one step further with our Lab Grown Diamonds. Profits from every purchase at MiaDonna fund our foundation, The Greener Diamond, which empowers diamond mining communities to live a life outside of poverty and diamond mining.
Not all lab grown diamonds are sustainable and eco-friendly, do not be fooled by the greenwashing.
LAB GROWN DIAMOND HISTORY
In search of a conflict-free diamond to fund her foundation, MiaDonna founder, Anna-Mieke soon finds out that nothing that came out of the earth could be considered conflict-free. That’s when she turned to scientists to grow gem-quality diamonds in a lab.
There were only two American labs exploring gem diamond growth, and the technology was in its infancy. Pure carbon diamonds were achievable at 0.25ct, albeit yellow. They collaborated on the "diamond hybrid," a placeholder, for fundraising toward Anna-Mieke's foundation while they continued the technology to grow larger colorless diamonds.
MiaDonna.com was open, while Anna-Mieke continued to work closely with chemical engineers to perfect the quality of the lab diamond. The process was slow and disheartening at times. Using a High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) method, the larger the diamonds grew, the yellower and more unstable they would get, resulting in losing about 90% of what was grown.
Despite Anna-Mieke's pleas, one of the labs halted due to financial constraints. The lab grown diamond's future seemed bleak before it started. Focusing on a single lab, they contemplated shifting to a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method, akin to space diamond formation.
MiaDonna.com officially becomes the world’s first retailer of lab-grown diamonds! Achieving a breakthrough to grow colorless diamonds, available in limited supply from 0.50ct to 0.85ct. Exclusive inventory goes to Anna-Mieke's waitlist clients.
Now growing up to 1.00ct colorless round diamonds consistently. Anna-Mieke moves on to bring out other shape of lab diamonds.
A few more labs enter the market and healthy competition is increasing, and new CVD technology produces larger colorless diamonds. Innovation, ethics, and sustainability are still at the forefront of lab-grown diamonds.
Following a decade of lawsuits and mining industry obstacles, Anna-Mieke and the seven other early adopters united, forming the International Grown Diamond Association. Their goal: safeguard their progress. Priority one involved challenging ISO and FTC advertising norms, influenced by mining, and advocating for lab-grown diamonds.
Ten years later, Anna-Mieke’s vision is a reality; lab-grown diamonds were better than anything we would get out of the earth. With Khalia Ali (Muhammad Ali’s daughter), Anna-Mieke proudly debuts the largest USA-grown diamond at the time: an impressive 6.28ct cushion cut lab-grown diamond.
The FTC officially changes the guidelines of what a lab-grown diamond is. Ruling that a diamond is a diamond, no matter the origin, if it's chemically, physically, and optically identical.
MiaDonna.com is the first brand to carry the most sustainable and innovative diamonds created from carbon capturing. Diamonds from air! These diamonds are definitively carbon-negative and climate-positive.
