CVD or HPHT?

HPHT DIAMOND CVD DIAMOND MINE DIAMOND?

HPHT – occurs with high pressure and high temperature

CVD – formed by chemical vapor

MINED NATURAL - Extracted from the mine

There is a lot of misinformation being spread about diamond growing methods and the superiority of one over the other: which is better or worse, CVD or HPHT? As you may have noticed and wondered before, information from different companies and media outlets can be extremely conflicting regarding CVD and HPHT diamonds.

WHY DOES INFORMATION VARY FROM ONE WEBSITE TO ANOTHER?

The main reason for the information gap is that companies are trying to set an agenda; they will say whatever benefits them the most. For example, we found one company in the UK that openly told its customers that CVD was the best and advised them to avoid buying HPHT. Another company in the US told its customers that HPHT was the best but refused to buy CVD diamonds. In fact, both are misleading their customers with misleading and often false statements. Because both CVD and HPHT technologies can produce diamonds of all colours, clarity and sizes, from unsellable to flawless diamonds.

What happens behind the scenes is that the labs that create the diamonds have an agreement with the diamond suppliers to offer a better price for CVD diamonds and not the same price for HPHT diamonds, or vice versa. So the diamond suppliers say whatever they have to say to protect their own interests.

REAL FACTS ABOUT CVD HPHT (LAB DIAMONDS)

  • HPHT and CVD can produce D colors.
  • HPHT generally offers higher colors than CVD.
  • In general, CVD offers higher clarity than HPHT.
  • HPHT and CVD can produce VVS1 and IF.
  • Most diamonds under 1.00 carats are HPHT due to cost.