What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
For most of history, “diamond” meant one thing: a rare stone pulled from deep underground, shaped by the earth over billions of years. Today, there is another option – one that gives you the same beauty and brilliance, with a very different story.
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in a controlled laboratory environment rather than mined from the earth. They have the same crystal structure, the same chemical composition and the same sparkle as natural diamonds – but they are typically more affordable and can offer a more transparent, modern approach to luxury.
Lab Grown Diamonds vs “Fake” Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are not cubic zirconia, moissanite or glass. Those are diamond simulants – stones that look similar but are made from different materials.
A lab grown diamond is:
- Carbon, arranged in a diamond crystal structure
- 10 on the Mohs hardness scale – just like a mined diamond
- Graded by the same independent labs (IGI, GIA, etc.) for cut, colour, clarity and carat
If you put a lab grown diamond and a mined diamond of the same grade side by side, even a trained jeweller needs specialist equipment to tell them apart.
How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Made
There are two main methods used to create lab grown diamonds: HPHT and CVD.
HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature)
This method recreates the natural conditions deep within the earth.
- A tiny diamond “seed” is placed in a press with carbon‑rich material.
- The press applies extreme pressure and heat – similar to the conditions 150–200km underground.
- Carbon atoms bond to the seed and slowly build up into a larger diamond crystal.
- The rough diamond is then cut and polished, just like a mined stone.
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)
CVD is a more modern, high‑tech approach.
- A thin slice of diamond is placed inside a vacuum chamber.
- The chamber is filled with a carbon‑rich gas (often methane).
- The gas is energised so carbon atoms break free.
- Those carbon atoms settle on the diamond slice, layer by layer, gradually forming a larger crystal.
A Brief History of Lab Grown Diamonds
- 1950s: The first tiny synthetic diamonds were created for industrial use (cutting tools, electronics).
- 1980s–1990s: Technology improved; larger, better‑quality stones became possible, but costs were high and supply was limited.
- 2000s: CVD and HPHT processes advanced rapidly, allowing cleaner, whiter crystals and better colour control.
- 2010s: Lab grown diamonds started to appear in fine jewellery and were graded by labs such as IGI and GIA.
- Today: Lab grown diamonds are firmly established in the market and offered by both boutique brands and major jewellers.
How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Graded (The 4Cs)
Lab grown diamonds are graded using the same system as mined diamonds – the 4Cs:
- Cut: How well the diamond has been shaped and faceted. Cut has the biggest impact on sparkle.
- Colour: How white the diamond appears. DEF is the highest (whitest) range.
- Clarity: How free the diamond is from internal marks (inclusions) and surface marks (blemishes).
- Carat: The weight of the diamond. Bigger is not always better – balance size with cut and quality.
Reputable lab grown diamonds come with an independent grading report from a lab such as IGI or GIA, just like mined stones.
Lab Grown vs Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia
It is easy to get confused by all the different “sparkly” stones on the market. Here is a simple comparison:
- Lab grown diamond: Real diamond. Carbon crystal, 10 on Mohs scale, graded by IGI/GIA, higher price but still below mined.
- Moissanite: Different gemstone (silicon carbide). Very sparkly, slightly different look, 9.25 on Mohs, more affordable than diamond.
- Cubic zirconia (CZ): Man‑made crystal. Good sparkle at first but softer (8–8.5 on Mohs) and more prone to scratching and clouding over time.
If you want the diamond look and longevity, lab grown diamonds are the closest match to mined diamonds.
Why Are Lab Grown Diamonds More Affordable?
Lab grown diamonds are not cheaper because they are “less real”. They are more affordable because the supply chain is different.
- Shorter journey: Mined diamonds travel from mine to sorter, cutter, polisher, wholesaler and retailer. Lab grown diamonds usually go from grower to cutter to retailer, with fewer mark‑ups.
- Scalable production: Once a lab is set up, multiple diamonds can be grown at the same time without moving huge amounts of earth.
- More transparent pricing: Costs are driven by technology and energy, not by the expense and risk of large‑scale mining operations.
The result is simple: you can often choose a larger, higher‑quality diamond for the same budget – or keep the same size and enjoy a lower price.
Ethical and Environmental Considerations
Ethical benefits
- No large‑scale mining, which can be linked to land disruption and complex social issues.
- Clear traceability – you know where the diamond was grown and cut.
- Modern working environments that are typically easier to regulate and audit.
Environmental impact
- No blasting, digging or moving of earth.
- Some growers are moving towards renewable energy sources.
- The overall footprint can be lower than traditional mining, especially when renewable power is used.
Every producer is different, so it is worth checking what your chosen brand does in terms of energy and sustainability – but the potential for a lighter footprint is real.
The Beauty of Lab Grown Diamonds
From a wearer’s point of view, the appeal is straightforward:
- Brilliance and fire: they sparkle just like mined diamonds.
- Clarity: many lab grown stones are produced with excellent clarity, so you see fewer natural inclusions.
- Colour: high colour grades (DEF) are more accessible at a given budget.
- Design freedom: because the price per carat is lower, you can explore bolder designs – larger centre stones, halo settings or fully diamond‑set bands.
Resale Value and Insurance
Like most modern jewellery, lab grown diamond pieces are bought for personal enjoyment rather than investment. Resale prices for both mined and lab grown diamonds are usually lower than the original purchase price.
- Lab grown diamonds typically have a lower resale value than equivalent mined stones, because production can increase over time.
- However, you also pay less up front, so you are not tying up as much money in the first place.
- Lab grown diamond jewellery can still be insured in the same way as mined diamond jewellery, based on a professional valuation or purchase receipt.
How to Choose a Lab Grown Diamond
When you are ready to choose your diamond, focus on:
- Cut first: A well‑cut diamond will look brighter and more lively than a poorly cut stone, even at the same carat weight.
- Colour and clarity balance: For most people, DEF–G colour and VS–SI1 clarity offer an excellent balance of beauty and value.
- Certification: Look for an independent report from IGI, GIA or a similar recognised lab.
- Setting style: Halo and cluster designs can make the centre stone appear larger; solitaire settings keep the focus on a single diamond.
If you are unsure, choose the design you love first, then fine‑tune the diamond grades within your budget.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Right for You?
Choosing between mined and lab grown is a personal decision. Lab grown diamonds might be a good fit if you:
- Want more size or higher quality for your budget
- Like the idea of a modern, tech‑driven approach to diamonds
- Care about traceability and reduced mining impact
- Want to enjoy diamonds as everyday luxury, not just once‑in‑a‑lifetime purchases
If you love the romance of a stone formed over billions of years deep in the earth, a natural diamond may still feel right for you. If you are excited by innovation, transparency and value, lab grown diamonds open the door to a new kind of luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. They are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds and are graded using the same standards.
Will anyone be able to tell my diamond is lab grown?
Not by looking at it. Only specialised equipment can reliably distinguish lab grown from mined diamonds.
Do lab grown diamonds last as long as mined diamonds?
Yes. They have the same hardness and durability, so they are suitable for everyday wear in engagement rings and fine jewellery.
Why are lab grown diamonds cheaper?
They have a shorter, more efficient supply chain and can be produced in a controlled environment, which reduces overall costs.
What’s Next?
In this guide we have covered:
- What lab grown diamonds are
- How HPHT and CVD growth work
- Their history and how they are graded
- How they compare with moissanite and cubic zirconia
- Why they are more affordable
- The ethical and environmental advantages
- How to choose a lab grown diamond with confidence
If you would like to dive even deeper into certificates, pricing and technical details, explore our in‑depth education articles below.