Lab grown diamonds have experienced a tremendous jump in popularity over the past few years as more people become aware of all of the benefits created diamonds have to offer. Whether the buyer is looking for the perfect engagement ring or an accent piece to symbolize an important event, the wide variety of>lab created diamonds available makes it easy for any buyer to find the perfect gem that fits both their style and their budget. Here are some of the biggest benefits buyers can get from buying lab grown diamonds.
Superior Quality & Purity
When purchasing a diamond, the clarity and color of the gem are very important considerations, with higher ratings commanding higher prices. While mined diamonds are often contaminated by their surrounding environment, which can darken or cloud its appearance, lab created gems are formed in a controlled environment virtually free of impurities. This makes lab grown diamonds much clearer and brighter than their natural counterparts.
Known Origin of Every Diamond
Knowing where a diamond has come from has become a top concern over time as more people have become worried about the environmental and humanitarian impacts of the gems they buy. Since lab grown diamonds have been created in a factory by scientists, the buyer knows exactly where the diamond comes from and the path it took from factory to jeweler, which is all backed up with verified paperwork.
Environmental Superiority
Growing diamonds in a lab has a much smaller environmental footprint than mining for the gems. Diamond mining can destroy large parcels of land, displacing the local wildlife and polluting the environment with mining waste and the by-products of fossil fuels. Lab grown diamonds sold by environmentally-friendly companies are often produced using renewable energy and very few natural resources. Read more about Diamond Rings at Your Finger Tips.
Larger, Better Diamonds in Budget
Growing diamonds in a lab is less expensive than mining diamonds at a dig site and the prices for each type of diamond are reflective of that. Lab grown diamonds can cost as much as 40% less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality, due to the supply chain for these gems being more efficient and the distance they must travel from source to buyer is much shorter. Buying a lab-created stone leaves more room in the budget for a bigger diamond or higher-quality housing for the gem.
Guilt-Free
In recent years, many people have become concerned about where mined diamonds are coming from. Horrific stories have emerged about how some mined diamonds are sourced from places where forced labor or child labor is used. Purchasing a lab-created diamond ensures that the money is not going to mines controlled by unsavory characters that are taking advantage of struggling populations.
Bottom Line
Lab grown diamonds are comparable to natural diamonds in every way and are superior to their natural counterparts in numerous areas. Made with cutting-edge technology, these created gems have the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds, but are less expensive, more environmentally responsible, are ethically sourced, and have a more desirable appearance.
How Lab Diamonds Are Made: HPHT and CVD
Scientists grow lab diamonds in two ways. The first is HPHT, which stands for High Pressure High Temperature. A small diamond seed goes into a chamber with carbon. The chamber heats up and presses down with great force, copying the conditions deep inside the earth where natural diamonds form. The seed grows into a larger diamond over days or weeks. The second way is CVD, which stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition. A thin diamond seed sits in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas breaks apart and carbon atoms settle on the seed, layer by layer, until a diamond forms. Both methods make real diamonds with the same crystal structure as mined diamonds.
The 4 Cs Apply to Lab Diamonds Too
Lab diamonds are graded the same way as mined diamonds, using the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Cut describes how well the diamond is shaped and how it reflects light. Color grades run from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Clarity grades describe how few flaws the stone has. Carat is the weight of the stone. Ask for a grading report from a trusted lab, such as GIA or IGI, before you buy. The report lists the 4 Cs and confirms the stone is lab grown. A certificate protects you and makes the purchase easy to compare with other stones.
Lab Diamond vs Mined Diamond: How to Tell Them Apart
You cannot tell a lab diamond from a mined diamond by looking at it. They look the same, feel the same, and sparkle the same. Only lab equipment can tell them apart, by checking tiny growth patterns inside the stone. That is why the grading report matters. Sellers must tell you when a diamond is lab grown. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission requires sellers to disclose that a diamond is lab grown. Ask for the report, read it, and keep it with the stone. If a seller cannot show a report, buy from someone who can.
How to Care for a Lab Diamond
A lab diamond needs the same care as a mined diamond. Clean it once a month with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Soak it for 15 minutes, then brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and rinse it clean. Dry it with a soft cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners unless a jeweler says it is safe for your setting. Store the ring or piece alone in a soft pouch so other jewelry does not scratch it. Have a jeweler check the prongs once a year, because loose prongs are the most common reason a stone falls out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds. They are real diamonds, grown in a lab instead of dug from the earth.
How are lab diamonds made?
They are made with two methods: HPHT, which uses high pressure and high temperature, and CVD, which grows the diamond layer by layer from carbon-rich gas.
Do lab diamonds hold their value?
Lab diamonds usually lose value faster than mined diamonds, because new supply keeps growing. Buy a lab diamond for its beauty and meaning, not as an investment.
Can you tell a lab diamond from a mined diamond?
Not by looking. Only lab equipment can tell them apart. Ask for a grading report from GIA or IGI to confirm what you are buying.
Should I buy a lab diamond for an engagement ring?
Many buyers do. A lab diamond lets you pick a bigger or clearer stone for the same budget. Ask for the grading report and buy from a seller who discloses that the stone is lab grown.
Disclaimer: Prices change often. Check the seller’s own website for the latest price before you buy. This guide gives general information only. This guide gives no investment advice for readers.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026