What Exactly Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

Lab Grown Diamonds: The Modern Sparkle

Diamonds have always symbolized love, strength, and timeless beauty. But today, you don’t have to look deep within the earth to find one. Lab grown diamonds are changing the jewellery world, offering the same brilliance as mined diamonds, but with a story that’s modern, ethical, and affordable.

Key Insights

  • Real diamonds, real sparkle: Lab grown diamonds are made of the same material as mined diamonds, pure carbon crystalized, with identical beauty and durability.

  • Advanced technology: They are created through two methods, HPHT and CVD, which reproduce the natural conditions that form diamonds.

  • Smart choice: Lab grown diamonds are more budget-friendly and come without the environmental and ethical concerns tied to mining.

What Exactly Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

A lab grown diamond is not a replica or imitation, it is a diamond in every scientific sense. Same crystal structure, same hardness, same fire and brilliance. The only difference lies in its origin: one formed deep underground over billions of years, the other created in a high-tech lab in just weeks.

Properties and Sparkle

  • Composition: 100% carbon, identical to mined diamonds.
  • Durability: A hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, the highest level.
  • Appearance: To the eye, they look identical to mined diamonds. Cut well, they sparkle with the same brilliance and fire.

Simply put: you can’t tell the difference without professional gemological equipment.

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

Two fascinating methods bring these diamonds to life:

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)

A diamond “seed” is placed under extreme conditions of heat (over 1,000°C) and pressure (over 1.5 million PSI). Carbon crystallizes around the seed, just as it does naturally in the earth. HPHT often produces larger stones but may show a slight yellow tint due to nitrogen.

Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)

Here, a tiny diamond seed sits inside a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases. Heated into plasma, the gases layer carbon atoms onto the seed until a diamond grows. This method usually creates stones with excellent clarity and precise proportions.

Both techniques use nature’s blueprint, only faster and cleaner.

Lab Grown vs. Mined Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds share the same composition, both are pure carbon and both are real diamonds. The difference begins when we look at other aspects. In terms of price, lab grown diamonds are typically 30–70% less expensive, while mined diamonds come at a higher cost. When it comes to environmental impact, lab grown stones have a minimal footprint, whereas mining causes significant land disruption and ecological damage.

Resale value is generally low for both, except in the case of rare mined stones. Ethically, lab grown diamonds are conflict-free, offering peace of mind about sourcing, while mined diamonds can still carry risks related to human rights issues.

The difference is not in beauty, both are stunning. The difference is in how they’re made and the story you want your jewellery to tell.

Jewellery Options

Lab grown diamonds are available in everything from engagement rings and wedding bands to earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Many jewellers now allow you to custom-design your piece by choosing the cut, carat, colour, and clarity that match your style.

Can You Tell the Difference?

Not with the naked eye. Only trained gemologists using advanced instruments can detect subtle growth patterns, inclusions, or fluorescence that reveal a diamond’s lab origin. Most lab grown diamonds are inscribed on the girdle and come with certificates from trusted labs like GIA or IGI.

The Future of Lab Grown Diamonds

The market for lab grown diamonds is growing rapidly, expected to reach over $37 billion by 2028. With technology advancing and consumer demand rising, larger and higher-quality stones are becoming more common. Younger generations, in particular, are choosing them for their blend of beauty, value, and sustainability.

Final Thoughts

Lab grown diamonds are more than just an alternative, they are the future of fine jewellery. They offer the same brilliance, strength, and symbolism as mined diamonds, while being kinder to the planet and easier on your budget.

When you choose a lab grown diamond, you’re not compromising. You’re choosing a diamond that’s every bit as real, with a story that reflects today’s values.

Contact us

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.