The 7 C’s are a comprehensive guide in the diamond industry, representing crucial factors that influence a diamond’s quality and value.

1. Carat Weight:

Carat weight is a measure of a diamond’s weight and size, determining its brilliance and rarity.

2. Cut:

The cut of a diamond refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light, which determines its brilliance and sparkle. All of our lab diamonds are an ideal or excellent cut,which reflects almost all of the light that enters it and emits the most sparkle.

3. Colour:

Diamonds come in various colours, and the absence of colour is highly valued. Graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).

“We look to inspire the entire diamond industry to evolve in a brave new direction”.

4. Clarity:

Clarity assesses the presence of natural imperfections or inclusions within a diamond. The fewer the imperfections, the higher the clarity grade.

5. Certification:

Certification ensures that your diamond meets industry standards and provides an unbiased evaluation. Our experts recommend that you only purchase diamonds that are certified by GIA or IGI, the two most reputable gemological grading institutions.

6. Cost:

Lab-grown diamonds are proving to be significantly more affordable than mined diamonds. However, it is also important to consider how each of a diamond’s graded characteristics contributes to its overall cost.

7. Conscience (Ethical and Sustainable consideration):

Lab-grown diamonds are ethically-sourced and conflict-free. Ensure your diamond has a clean, traceable origin, free from ties to violence, human rights abuses, or environmental harm.

Each of the 7 C’s plays a role in determining the perfect diamond for you. Whether you prioritise size, brilliance, or ethical considerations, understanding these factors empowers you to make a more informed and meaningful choice.

Unlike the time it takes to unearth mined diamonds, lab/nurtured-grown diamonds typically take less than a month to grow in a controlled laboratory environment, through state of art technology simulating the Earth’s natural processes. Scientists replicate the mined diamond formation process and the natural conditions using renewable energy. These high-tech manufacturers expose a tiny shard of a diamond, called a “diamond seed”, similar to a mined diamond. The cut and polishing of both mined and lab diamonds is done with exactly the same process and expert craftsmanship.

There are two main procedures commonly used to create lab-grown diamonds:

​High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)

Due to the extreme temperature and pressures involved, this process could be likened to natural diamond formation.

Chemical Vapour Disposition (CVD)

The CVD method relies on carbon-based gases with high temperature and low pressure. This technology mimics how the universe uses plasma to create stars and planets.

We do not believe that one method is better than the other, nor that there is a difference. What matters is the final product and the true quality of the stone, which is determined by our gemologists’ assessment and the IGI/GIA certification.

• Both CVD and HPHT technologies can create diamonds of any colour, clarity, and size.
• All our supply is Type II, the most chemically pure diamonds available.
• Both methods can produce D colours, VVSL1, and FL diamonds.
• HPHT generally yields higher colour, while CVD tends to produce higher clarities.
• Most diamonds under 1ct are usually HPHT for cost-effectiveness.
• Between 1 – 2.5/3 carats, the market supplies both CVD and HPHT equally.
• For diamonds above 2.5/3 carats, CVD is more common, resulting in larger stones.

Even diamonds with the same certified characteristics can differ in appearance, and therefore it is key for a gemologist to physically assess each diamond to ensure you get the best quality.

Diamonds can be of differing types based on chemical impurities. This significantly impacts their purity and other characteristics.

Type II (a and b) diamonds are the purest, with negligible impurities. Type IIb diamonds contain Boron elements, and emit a blue or grey tone associated with fancy blue diamonds. All lab diamonds are Type II, with CVD diamonds produced as

Type IIa. 98-99% of the world’s mined diamonds are Type 1 and have more impurities, lower hardness, and carbon purity compared to Type II.

We exclusively select Type II lab diamonds, aligning with the top 1-2% of natural diamonds in the market.

We recommend that all diamonds purchased, whether lab or mined, should be certified by one of the two most trusted diamond certifiers, namely GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute). We will ensure all our diamonds above 0.25 carats will be certified by one of these two companies.

Certificates from other institutions can be questionable, particularly as grading styles can differ between companies, resulting in quality variations. Experts grading the colour and clarity of the diamonds have always trusted GIA and IGI for their grading, as both companies have maintained their grading standards and have the best technology. As a result, their reputation remains strong in the market.

When lab diamonds are produced (anywhere in the world) circa 80-90% goes through Surat (India) to be cut and polished by gem experts, and receive certification. All our certified lab-grown diamonds are laser inscribed, giving you peace of mind that your diamond will have an easily-identifiable, unique number.

IGI has been certifying lab diamonds since 2015, using the same standards as mined diamonds. GIA, despite grading lab diamonds since 2007, only began recognising lab diamonds as ‘non synthetic’ in 2021 when they started certifying them with the same standards as mined diamonds. As a result, IGI certifies approximately 90% of lab diamonds today. Further to this, jewellery can also be certified separately, once the diamonds are set within the pieces by an independent company (like the World Gemological Institute – WGI).

IGI certificates state whether a lab diamond is grown with either the CVD or the HPHT process. They also mention whether the diamond is type IIa (for CVD) or type 2 (for HPHT).

1. Different machines produce different diamond qualities.
2. Investment in Technology: Regular updates to reactors and materials are essential to maintain high-quality diamond production.
3. Seed Quality Matters: The initial seed quality significantly defines the overall diamond quality.
4. A diamond is as good as the cut and polish it is given. Differences in the cut and polish can affect the quality of the diamond and therefore the price.

At Astrea, we address these differences by sourcing diamonds exclusively from the finest manufacturers with rigorous processes. All our diamonds undergo further assessment by our expert gemologists.

Diamond mines often require clearing large areas of land, involving significant deforestation, pollution of local water supplies and destruction of local ecosystems.

The network of diamond mines, and the pollution created as a result, is environmentally harmful and contributes little to local economies. Diamond mines could otherwise be exploited as valuable land resources, which could be used for more sustainable purposes, such as farming.

Lab diamonds, created in a controlled and tightly-regulated environment, have a far less harmful impact to the environment than mined diamonds. They do not cause ecological disruption to any land surfaces, and have no long-term effect on pollution, wildlife or social effects. Lab stones are partly created with renewable energy, and leave behind minimal emissions, resulting in little-to-no harm to our planet and society. Lab diamonds also do not require water, unlike mined diamonds.

Frost & Sullivan conducted a benchmark study comparing the environmental impact of mined and lab diamonds. Assessing impacts on a common scale, their ratio indicator revealed a staggering difference. To provide a comprehensive overview, they allocated weights using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework, emphasising the substantial environmental advantage of lab diamonds.

For instance, air emissions for 1 carat of mined diamond were 1.5 billion times higher than for a lab diamond. The study also showed, on an indicative basis, that mined diamonds represented more than 7 times the level of impact compared to mined diamonds.

Lab diamond production does not involve human rights violations, such as forced, unsafe or even child labour, that is often associated with mining diamonds. As a result, by purchasing a lab diamond, you will never have to worry about purchasing an unethical stone or a “blood diamond”. Blood diamonds, also known as “Conflict diamonds”, are gemstones mined in territories controlled by rebel forces opposed to internationally recognised governments. The rebels sell these diamonds and use the proceeds to buy weapons or to support military operations. By contrast, lab diamonds are ethically sourced.

When purchasing a lab diamond, it’s crucial to:

Beware of Simulants: Some companies may use terms like “simulants” for diamonds made from materials like cubic zirconia or moissanite. These are easily distinguishable with the naked eye, unlike lab or mined diamonds.

Check for Gemologist Inspection: Ensure that online companies have gemologists physically checking lab diamonds before selling them.

Verify Certificates: Stick to reputable institutions like IGI and GIA for certification. Be cautious of certificates from other sources.

Understand Inclusions: Recognise that most diamonds, whether lab-grown or mined, may have inclusions. Mined diamonds often have noticeable impurities and minerals, HPHT lab diamonds may have metallic flux inclusions, and CVD lab diamonds may have polycrystalline inclusions. However, it’s essential to note that inclusions in lab diamonds are generally less visible to the naked eye compared to mined diamonds.

Yes, your jewellery is fully insured by us whilst in transit, to the point when you receive it.

Yes, it works the same way as with any diamonds or jewellery you have.

All our diamonds are certified by IGI or GIA confirming their characteristics and grading. Astrea jewellery (excluding the diamonds which is certified as above) comes with a 30-day warranty which covers all repairs and servicing free of charge in the unlikely event of a manufacturing fault or defect.

For some of our ready-made jewellery, we need 1-2 weeks. However, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for our bespoke, made to order jewellery. Some jewellery will be quicker, some might take a bit longer.

The first stage is to discuss your intended design with us so that we can estimate the cost and send you an invoice. Upon receipt of the invoice, we ask for a 50% deposit to complete the designs for your piece of jewellery and source the best diamonds for production.

Within 2-4 weeks, we’ll send you a video of your completed piece (checked by our gemologist experts who will send you a video for final approval). We deliver worldwide with full insurance. You can settle the final 50% when you collect directly from us or before it’s shipped. We accept payment by bank transfer or any payment card, including AMEX.