CVD Diamonds

Four CVD Synthetic Diamonds

Apollo
Apollo Diamond Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts also produce synthetic diamonds, including gem size and quality, but by a completely different process. Their process is almost the opposite of the HPHT methods, and is known as CVD, Chemical Vapour Deposition, but in the case of diamond it clould also be called Carbon Vapour Deposition. This technique, which has been in use since before the 1990's, allows carbon vapour to solidify onto a seed crystal in a vacuum. In the past, the technique has been used to build up thin, flat crystals, similar to natural macles, but it has been developed to be able to produce larger and thicker crystals. Apollo moved into commercial production around the end of 2003, and we keep seeing various progress announcements, but they do not appear to be marketing their gem quality diamonds as actively as Gemesis.
Apollo also produce optical devices and semiconductors, and their gem diamond business has grown from these technologies.
All CVD grown diamonds are believed to be type 2a diamonds.

More Producers
It can only be a matter of time before a growing number of commercial producers announce production methods and facilities. We understand that there are numerous patents covering both current production methods, but further techniques may be discovered, and variation of existing techniques may circumvent existing patents. It will be interesting to wait and watch for further developments in the synthetic diamond industry.

Carnegie Institution
In 2004, the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory announced that it could now produce large gem quality diamond crystals at 100 times the speed possible using earlier processes.

Created Diamonds For Sale
A short stocklist of created (synthetic) diamonds for sale.