CVD vs HPHT

[princessk]

Just wondering what the thoughts on both process are. Is one better than the other? And if so does process reflect in price? Also
Is one better for larger size stones? Thank you

 

[DejaWiz]

My personal preference is HPHT, all the way.

There are some amazing CVD diamonds out there, but I will always recommend working with an experienced jeweler to perform strict vetting to assess them for the usual gamut of potential issues: striations, haziness, graining, clouding, birefringence, etc...especially as carat weight/diameter increases.

HPHT is a bit easier to vet, in my opinion: potential issues are usually limited to clouding, color nuance (blue being the most common if boron molecules are present), and excess bits of metallic flash from the growth chamber suspended within the diamond.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I like the weaknesses of HPHT (blue nuance, possible metal inclusions) better than the weaknesses of cvd (brown or gray tint, stria that may be problematic). That said I bought a lovely cvd from DG, but DG vets their cvds to rule outstria that affect light performance.

 

[StarshineSweet]

I like the weaknesses of HPHT (blue nuance, possible metal inclusions) better than the weaknesses of cvd (brown or gray tint, stria that may be problematic). That said I bought a lovely cvd from DG, but DG vets their cvds to rule outstria that affect light performance.

Who's DG? I'm not up to date on the acronyms.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

Distinctive Gem

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[Rockdiamond]

To me this is one of those questions that deserves an answer like “it depends”
For one carat colorless round brilliant lab grown diamonds, I also prefer HPHT no post growth. But it’s more for “mind clean” reasons.
There’s many CVD specimens that are exceptional for many different reasons. Particularly in larger stones.
Both methods have their place - therefore neither is inherently better imo

 

[monipod]

CVD, HPHT, Natural - regardless of origin it'll come down to seeing it in real life and having a reliable vendor who can vet the stone for you. I don't have a preference for either process but very happy with my CVD Asscher and HPHT studs.

 

[Alybetter]

I’ve had both; I’ve had 5 MMDs in my hot little hands and some were HPHT and some CVD.

Of course there are always variables, but I saw more brown dot-type inclusions in the VS2 F color HPHT diamonds, of which I had 2, and none of those appear in the CVD stones. The CVD stones that had inclusions were tiny white dots. Impossible to see without 40x. And there’s a small bit of stria on one facet under the table of my CVD AVC. I saw no stria in my CVD round brilliants.. All of them were F color.

I had a CVD cushion brilliant that I tried to find stria in and there was none. At least that I could detect with my 40x loupe. Too bad it was cut like crap, I sent it back.

I agree with others; if you can have a vendor vet the stones that helps. Or if you find a place with a generous and non-restrictive return policy so you can view the stones yourself.