The world’s largest diamond greenhouse recently opened right here in Singapore, which naturally cultures rare Type IIa diamonds
What’s the difference between a mined diamond and a grown diamond?
There’s virtually no difference in the diamonds themselves – except for the price. Currently, cultured diamonds are 30 per cent cheaper than mined ones, and they’re environmentally-friendly, sustainable and conflict-free.
All the diamonds cultured by Singapore-based IIa Technologies are Type IIa, the rarest kind that can only be found
in 2 per cent of all the mined diamonds in the world. And now, these prized jewels are available on the market at more affordable prices!
Largest Diamond Greenhouse in the World
IIa Technologies unveiled the world’s largest diamond greenhouse, right here in Singapore. The 200,000 sq ft facility in the Boon Lay industrial area cultures high-quality Type IIa diamonds.
Grown diamonds go through three major phases. Firstly, the ‘seeds’ – or diamond plates – are carefully inspected and cleaned. Then, 50 to 100 seeds are cultured for 14 to 18 weeks within greenhouse chambers, under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
These units can reach temperatures of 1,000°C! IIa Technologies has 200 greenhouse chambers that run on clean energy and zero water wastage.
Finally, the raw diamonds go through laser-cutting. These finished diamonds are sold for industrial applications such drilling, but jewellery is the largest market for IIa Technologies.
Where to Get Grown Diamonds
IIa Technologies actually supplies its quality diamonds to United States-based brand Pure Grown Diamonds, which is the world’s largest distributor of lab-grown diamonds. These new treasures have gained quite a celebrity following in the USA, with stars such as Patricia Arquette, Kevin and Danielle Jonas and Heather McDonald having endorsed the conflict-free diamonds.
Thinking of getting your hands on one of these sparkling beauties? Eager customers in Singapore can look forward to these Type IIa babies debuting in local stores towards the end this year. Look out for the “Cultured in Singapore” label when making your next purchase in a jewellery shop!
Or, if you simply can’t wait, you can actually order your own cut of lab-grown diamonds, from PureGrownDiamonds.com, which ships internationally. You can even customise your own designs, down to the band and the colour of the gem. Pure Grown Diamonds has a 60-day return policy.
I’m even considering getting a sparkly ‘best friend’ myself. After all, they are environmentally-friendly and conflict-free.
By Pamela Chow
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