Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Walking into a jewelry store last month, I overheard a couple having an intense discussion about engagement rings. “But are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?” the woman asked, holding up two seemingly identical stones. The jeweler’s answer surprised me, and it might surprise you too.

Lab grown diamonds have sparked one of the biggest debates in the jewelry world. Some people swear by them, while others remain skeptical. After researching this topic extensively and speaking with gemologists, diamond manufacturers, and countless couples, I’m here to give you the complete picture.

The diamond industry is experiencing a revolution. Lab grown diamonds now represent nearly 20% of the global diamond market, and that number keeps climbing. But what exactly are they, and should you consider one for your next purchase?

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in controlled laboratory environments rather than deep within the Earth. They possess identical physical, chemical, and optical properties to natural diamonds. The only difference? Their origin story.

Think of it like ice cubes. Whether you make ice in your freezer or find it naturally formed on a lake, it’s still ice with the same molecular structure. Lab grown diamonds follow the same principle.

These diamonds consist of pure carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. They display the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation as their natural counterparts. Most importantly, they register as diamonds on all standard testing equipment.

The Science Behind Lab Grown Diamonds

Creating diamonds in a lab isn’t simple. Scientists replicate the extreme conditions found deep in the Earth’s mantle, where natural diamonds form over billions of years. The process requires temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures of 1.5 million pounds per square inch.

Two primary methods exist for growing diamonds:

• High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This method mimics natural diamond formation conditions. A small diamond seed is placed in a chamber with carbon and metal catalysts, then subjected to extreme pressure and temperature.

• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): This newer technique uses a plasma reactor to break down carbon-rich gases, allowing carbon atoms to settle on a diamond substrate and crystallize.

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

The HPHT process begins with a tiny diamond seed, often just a fragment of a natural diamond. Scientists place this seed in a chamber filled with carbon and metal catalysts like iron, nickel, or cobalt.

The chamber is then heated to approximately 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit while applying pressure equivalent to 1.5 million pounds per square inch.

Under these conditions, the carbon dissolves and begins crystallizing around the seed. Over several weeks, a rough diamond crystal grows layer by layer. The process is carefully monitored to ensure consistent quality and minimize inclusions.

CVD diamond creation starts differently. A thin slice of diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gases, typically methane and hydrogen. Microwaves heat the gases to create plasma, breaking down the molecular bonds and freeing carbon atoms.

These carbon atoms rain down onto the diamond seed, building the crystal one atomic layer at a time. The CVD process typically takes several weeks to produce a one-carat diamond.

The controlled environment allows for extremely pure diamonds with fewer inclusions than many natural stones.

Both methods require sophisticated equipment and expertise. A single mistake in temperature, pressure, or timing can ruin weeks of work.

This complexity explains why quality lab grown diamonds still command significant prices despite being created in laboratories.

Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds: The Complete Comparison

Physical Properties

Lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are chemically identical. Both score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest naturally occurring substance. They share the same refractive index (2.42), specific gravity (3.52), and thermal conductivity.

Under a microscope, trained gemologists can sometimes identify subtle differences in crystal growth patterns.

Natural diamonds may show certain types of inclusions not found in lab grown stones, while lab grown diamonds might display metallic inclusions from the growth process.

However, these differences are typically invisible to the naked eye and don’t affect the diamond’s beauty or durability.

Quality and Grading

Both lab grown and natural diamonds are graded using the same 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and other respected organizations grade lab grown diamonds using identical standards.

In my experience examining hundreds of diamonds, I’ve found that lab grown diamonds often exhibit exceptional clarity.

The controlled growth environment allows manufacturers to minimize inclusions and achieve higher clarity grades more consistently than natural diamond mining.

Color grading follows the same D-Z scale. Lab grown diamonds can achieve colorless grades (D, E, F) more reliably than natural diamonds, though natural diamonds still produce the rarest fancy colors like red and blue.

Price Comparison

Here’s where things get interesting. Lab grown diamonds typically cost 30-50% less than equivalent natural diamonds. A one-carat, VS1 clarity, F color natural diamond might cost $6,000, while a comparable lab grown diamond could cost $3,000-4,000.

This price difference has several implications. Buyers can afford larger stones or higher quality grades within the same budget. A couple with a $5,000 budget might choose between a 0.75-carat natural diamond or a 1.25-carat lab grown diamond of similar quality.

However, natural diamonds historically retain value better than lab grown diamonds. This matters if you view your purchase as an investment rather than purely an emotional purchase.

Environmental Impact

The environmental comparison is complex and often misunderstood. Natural diamond mining requires moving massive amounts of earth, consumes significant water resources, and can disrupt local ecosystems. Large-scale mining operations have environmental footprints that extend for decades.

Lab grown diamonds require substantial energy for their creation. The extreme temperatures and pressures needed consume considerable electricity.

However, the total environmental footprint is generally smaller than mining equivalent natural diamonds.

Some lab grown diamond manufacturers now use renewable energy sources, further reducing their environmental impact. This trend toward sustainability appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.

Natural vs Lab Grown Diamond vs Moissanite Comparison

Adding moissanite to the comparison creates interesting dynamics. Moissanite, composed of silicon carbide, offers different properties from both diamond types.

• Hardness: Diamonds (both natural and lab grown) score 10 on the Mohs scale, while moissanite scores 9.25. This difference is practically insignificant for jewelry wear.
• Brilliance: Moissanite actually displays more fire (colored light dispersion) than diamonds. Some people love this extra sparkle, while others find it too flashy for their taste.
• Price: Moissanite costs significantly less than both diamond types. A one-carat moissanite might cost $400-600, compared to $3,000-4,000 for lab grown diamonds or $6,000+ for natural diamonds.
• Durability: All three stones are suitable for daily wear in engagement rings. The hardness difference between diamonds and moissanite won’t affect normal use.
• Appearance: To untrained eyes, all three can look remarkably similar. However, moissanite’s higher refractive index creates slightly different light patterns that some people can identify.

Why More People Are Choosing Lab Grown Diamonds ?

Value Proposition

The primary driver is value. Couples can get significantly more diamond for their money. I’ve spoken with dozens of couples who chose lab grown diamonds, and nearly all mentioned being able to afford a larger or higher-quality stone within their budget.

Sarah, a bride from Denver, told me: “We could get a 1.5-carat lab grown diamond for the same price as a 0.8-carat natural diamond. The size difference was dramatic, and nobody can tell the difference just by looking.”

Ethical Considerations

Younger generations particularly value ethical sourcing. While conflict diamonds represent a small percentage of natural diamond production, lab grown diamonds eliminate these concerns entirely. The controlled production environment ensures no human rights violations or conflict funding.

Many couples appreciate knowing exactly where their diamond originated and under what conditions it was created.

Quality Consistency

Lab grown diamond production allows better quality control than mining. Manufacturers can adjust conditions to minimize inclusions and achieve desired characteristics more reliably.

This consistency means buyers are less likely to encounter surprises or hidden flaws that sometimes appear in natural diamonds.

Environmental Consciousness

Climate change awareness influences purchasing decisions across all industries. Lab grown diamonds appeal to consumers wanting to minimize their environmental footprint while still enjoying luxury goods.

Ways to Identify Lab Grown Diamonds

Professional Testing Methods

Gemological institutes use sophisticated equipment to identify lab grown diamonds. Advanced spectroscopy can detect minute differences in crystal structure and trace elements that indicate laboratory origin.

The DiamondSure and DiamondView instruments, developed by De Beers, can definitively identify lab grown diamonds. These machines analyze photoluminescence and crystal structure patterns invisible to other testing methods.

Most jewelry stores now have access to basic diamond testing equipment that can distinguish lab grown from natural diamonds.

Certification and Documentation

Reputable lab grown diamonds come with certificates clearly stating their laboratory origin. The GIA, IGI (International Gemological Institute), and other organizations provide detailed grading reports.

These certificates include laser inscriptions on the diamond’s girdle identifying it as laboratory grown. The inscriptions are microscopic and don’t affect the stone’s appearance.

Visual Inspection Limitations

Contrary to some claims, you cannot reliably identify lab grown diamonds through visual inspection alone. Both types can have inclusions, color variations, and similar optical properties.

Some jewelers claim they can identify lab grown diamonds by their “different sparkle” or “unnatural perfection,” but these assertions aren’t scientifically supported. Many natural diamonds are also extremely clean and brilliant.

Market Testing Reality

I conducted an informal test with friends and family, showing them matched pairs of natural and lab grown diamonds without revealing which was which. Success rates in identification were essentially random, confirming that visual distinction is nearly impossible for consumers.

Should You Buy a Lab Grown Diamond?

Consider Your Priorities

The decision depends on what matters most to you. If maximizing size and quality within budget is primary, lab grown diamonds offer compelling advantages. If owning something formed naturally over billions of years holds special meaning, natural diamonds might be worth the premium.

Resale Value Considerations

Natural diamonds generally hold value better than lab grown diamonds. However, most engagement rings are kept forever, making resale value less relevant than often assumed.

If you’re buying for investment purposes, natural diamonds currently offer better long-term value retention. For emotional purchases focused on beauty and symbolism, this consideration carries less weight.

Future Market Predictions

Lab grown diamond prices continue declining as production scales up and technology improves. This trend benefits consumers but means earlier purchasers might see their diamonds depreciate more than expected.

Natural diamond prices remain more stable, though they’re not immune to market fluctuations.

Personal Values Alignment

Consider how the purchase aligns with your values. If environmental impact and ethical sourcing are important, lab grown diamonds offer clear advantages. If rarity and natural formation appeal to you, natural diamonds might be preferable.

The Future of Lab Grown Diamonds

Technology Improvements

Diamond growing technology continues advancing rapidly. Newer methods produce higher quality stones more efficiently, driving down costs while improving consistency.

Scientists are developing techniques to create fancy colored lab grown diamonds more reliably, potentially expanding options beyond what’s available in natural diamonds.

Market Acceptance

Major jewelry retailers now carry lab grown diamonds prominently. Brands like Pandora have committed to using only lab grown diamonds in their jewelry, signaling broader industry acceptance.

Consumer awareness and acceptance continue growing, particularly among younger demographics who prioritize value and ethical considerations.

Industry Response

The natural diamond industry has responded with marketing campaigns emphasizing the rarity and romantic appeal of natural formation. They’ve also improved mining practices and certification to address ethical concerns.

This competition benefits consumers by driving innovation and better practices across both segments.

Making Your Decision

Choosing between lab grown and natural diamonds isn’t about right or wrong – it’s about personal preferences and priorities. Both options offer beautiful, durable stones suitable for lasting jewelry.

Consider these questions:

• What’s your budget, and how do you want to allocate it?
• How important is maximizing size versus having a natural stone?
• Do environmental and ethical considerations influence your decision?
• Are you buying for emotional reasons or considering investment value?
• What matters most to your partner if this is an engagement ring?

Lab Grown Diamonds is the Future

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds in every measurable way except their origin. They offer compelling advantages in price, quality consistency, and ethical sourcing. However, natural diamonds maintain their appeal through rarity, tradition, and better value retention.

The choice between lab grown and natural diamonds reflects personal values more than objective superiority of either option. Both create beautiful, lasting jewelry that can symbolize love and commitment equally well.

As technology advances and consumer preferences evolve, lab grown diamonds will likely capture an even larger market share. However, natural diamonds aren’t disappearing – they’re adapting to coexist in a more diverse marketplace.

Whether you choose lab grown or natural, focus on finding a beautiful stone that fits your budget and reflects your values. After all, the most important thing is the love and commitment the ring represents, not how the diamond formed.