Editors

Growing a Diamond Using CVD: Video

EditorsMay 30, 2018

Growing a Diamond Using CVD: Video

Watch a diamond go from seed to polished in two minutes and 14 seconds.

20180531_Altr-blog-header.jpg
A screenshot from Altr’s 2 minute, 14 second video showing how diamonds are grown using the chemical vapor deposition, or CVD, process.

Last week, I had the chance to catch up with Amish Shah, president of lab-grown diamond company Altr, about a video Altr is releasing giving consumers a look inside the company’s growing facility.

That was, of course, before the big jewelry industry news broke that De Beers would begin selling jewelry set with diamonds grown by its own Element Six at a new facility outside of Portland, Oregon. 

As I wrote in covering the story Tuesday, it is big, but not shocking, jewelry industry news. Element Six has been growing diamonds for industrial purposes—for items like drills and speakers—since 1946, and there has long been speculation about when De Beers would begin producing gem-quality lab-grown diamonds as well.

Now, this is certainly a story we will be following up on to analyze what it means for the industry, to assess De Beers’ goals in getting into lab-growns, and to gauge industry reaction, some of which already has begun to filter in online. (My favorite so far comes from a LinkedIn commenter: “Sometimes fighting the future is not worth the pain.” Excellent point, sir.)  

I am on my way to Las Vegas as I write this, and hope to hear from many in the industry there. If you are not headed to Vegas and would like to weigh in on De Beers’ decision to enter the jewelry end of the lab-grown market, feel free to email me at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com or leave your thoughts below in the comments.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this video Altr is releasing giving consumers a condensed view of how it grows diamonds using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process at its facility in India. You can watch the video below as well as on the Altr website starting today.


Shah said a professional team of 26 from Open Design & Strategy shot the timelapse video.

It shows the CVD process--sped up to 2 minutes and 14 seconds--starting from when the Type IIa diamond seed, which is as thin as 1 millimeter, is placed in one of Altr’s proprietary reactors. It then shows it emerging with a polycarbon shell that’s removed using a water-jet laser, and culinates with the cutting and polishing process that turns the rough man-made diamond into a polished stone.

Shah said the video is designed to be educational, not advertorial, clearing up confusion among consumers. 

“Everybody still has a
myth about [lab-grown] diamonds,” Shah said. “Most people haven’t seen one or know about it.”

But they hear about them and they want to know: What is a man-created diamond? How is it grown? Who made it?

“This is us taking one more step forward so that today a retailer can show it to their guests (and say), this is where it’s coming from, this is how it’s being made,” he said.

Shah’s assertions are backed up by the research De Beers cited in its news release about entering the lab-grown diamond jewelry market, which stated: “We’ve learned from our research that there is a lot of confusion about lab-grown diamonds.”

Consumer confusion also was stressed in the recent survey results released by the Diamond Producers Association, which circulated an interesting press release last week via email with the subject line, “Laboratory-Grown Diamonds Aren’t Considered ‘Real.’”

I am scheduled to conduct a sit-down interview with DPA head Jean-Marc Lieberherr this week at the jewelry trade shows so the “realness” of lab-grown diamonds and the DPA’s survey is a subject that I plan to return to in a future blog post, because there is a lot to unpack there.

For now, though, I asked Shah—who obviously has a very specific viewpoint on the matter as the head of a lab-grown diamond company—about education, consumers' misconceptions and the industry’s perception of lab-grown diamonds in general, and he made what I consider to be a solid point: “Today’s consumer makes an informed purchase. We as an industry are just trying to catch up with this.”

If there are misconceptions and/or confusion about lab-grown diamonds, it’s because the industry hasn’t done enough to educate consumers up until this point. But, as more stores start to carry man-made diamonds, they will get educated when they come into a store and then make their choice.

“As an industry, rather than creating confusion, I think we should look at education and we will all have growth. That’s what I believe,” Shah said.

For those interested in meeting Shah and learning more about Altr, you can visit them at the JCK Las Vegas jewelry trade show, which starts Friday, June 1 at Mandalay Bay. They are in booth No. S10600 in the Currents section across from the Plumb Club.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Bench jeweler holding a bracelet and a tool
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHo

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

LAFD Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 16
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

NY Now
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in August

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

Jeweler setting a diamond into a ring
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization Offerings

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

National Associate of Jewelry Appraisers Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go Virtual

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy