THE LIGHTBOX LAB
Our world leading lab-grown diamond technology now has a new home. Explore the newly opened Lightbox lab, producing 'home grown' stones just outside of Portland, Oregon.
Our new home
In fall 2020 we opened our new lab in Gresham, Oregon. We’re ramping up production at this new facility, and will soon be producing up to 200,000 carats a year, each one always VS clarity, always of a very good cut and now 'grown in the USA'.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR STONE QUALITY
The opening of this facility is a true milestone for the company, manufacturing lab-grown diamonds in the US was a goal from the beginning and we are so proud to have achieved it with this state-of-the-art laboratory in a region that has become a hub for advanced industries
-- Steve Coe, CEO, Lightbox
How do you make a lab-grown diamond?
Lab-grown diamond seeds are loaded into a CVD reactor (CVD stands for chemical vapor disposition). Then, a mix of gasses containing carbon is added at a very low pressure. Microwaves are added to heat the gases and generate a plasma. When the temperatures climb over several thousand degrees, the gas molecules break apart and carbon atoms bond to the seeds, growing them one layer at a time. Once the stones are big enough (about 2 weeks for one carat) they can then be cut and polished. Want to know more? Click below to read all our lab-grown diamond FAQs.
LAB-GROWN DIAMOND FAQ
The Building
Chicago-based architecture firm Sheehan Nagle Hartray (SNHA) worked to design our industry-leading manufacturing lab, which was conceived as a simple white box, carved away to reveal and recall the faceted structure of a Lightbox lab-grown diamond. The dramatic exterior features fritted glass panels and louver screens, while the modern, monochrome interior includes a precision-designed production floor with mechanical and electrical support spaces, as well as lab spaces, offices and common areas for staff to refresh and relax in.
WE 🤍 PORTLAND
Our new location puts us in great proximity to reliable hydroelectric power, as well as letting us recruit from Portland’s highly skilled workforce and technology-leading talent. It's the perfect place to continue our pioneering role in lab-grown diamond innovation and production.
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