Lab-Grown Diamond Guide

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Diamonds are one of those few jewellery details that appeal to almost everyone. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself (or someone else) to a diamond ring, necklace or pair of earrings, it’s worth putting some serious thought into what stone to choose. In addition to the setting, shape and style, deciding between a lab-grown diamond or a natural one is something else to take into consideration.

To help, we’re here to answer all the questions on lab-created diamonds we could possibly think of. Ahead, your H. Samuel-approved guide to all things lab-grown diamonds.

What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

First thing first: what is a lab-grown diamond? Simply put, it’s been created in a laboratory instead of being naturally formed and mined from the earth.

Diamonds made in a laboratory (also called cultured diamonds) mimic how natural diamonds are grown deep underground. Both involve using high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapour deposition (CVD), which is when gas is used to deposit carbon and form the diamond crystals. By duplicating that exact natural process, it makes a lab-grown diamond chemically identical to natural diamonds.

What Makes Lab-Grown Diamonds Special?

Lab-grown diamonds are everywhere right now, but how exactly do they compare to more traditional mined diamonds? If you’re on a budget but have a specific style in mind, then a laboratory-grown diamond can be a more affordable option. Creating a diamond in a lab has fewer steps in the process, making it more cost effective. This means, more often than not, that you’re able to buy the same carat and size as a natural diamond for less.

What’s The Difference: Lab-Grown & Natural Diamonds?

What’s the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds then? Visually, chemically, thermally and physically identical and all graded on the same 4Cs – cut, clarity, colour and carat – there isn’t much of a difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds. Price and origin are what typically separate lab-grown diamonds vs natural diamonds.

A laboratory-grown diamond can cost less than a natural diamond (with the same properties such as carat and size) as their relative abundance can make it easier to find a flawless lab-grown version than it is a natural stone. A flawless natural diamond is rarer, which makes it more expensive to buy.

Lab-created diamonds have the same consistency in colour, quality and hardness as natural ones do, and have few – if any – flaws as they are grown in a controlled environment. With that in mind, can jewellers tell the difference between natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds? To the naked eye, lab-grown and natural stones have the same sparkle, quality, and overall appearance as each other. The difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds only comes down to where it was formed, so jewellers are only able to differentiate between the two with specialist equipment.

Types of Lab-Grown Diamonds

White lab-created diamonds aren’t your only option though. If you prefer more colourful styles, you can go for a lab-grown yellow diamond or one in shades of pink or blue. Whether it’s a yellow lab-grown diamond or any other hue you’re after, coloured stones are made by adding trace elements, like boron or nitrogen, during the growth phase. This is the same way naturally occurring coloured diamonds are formed. The benefit is that naturally occurring coloured diamonds are very rare, and lab-grown coloured diamonds mean you can get your desired colour within budget.

Choosing the Right Lab-Grown Diamond

Now we’ve covered everything from what are lab diamonds? To the difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds, it’s time to decide on the right lab-created diamond for you.

There’s no difference between lab-grown diamond vs natural diamond certification – both use the fours Cs to assess quality and authenticity. The four Cs (colour, cut, clarity and carat weight) are determined by renowned certification bodies like the International Gemological Institute (IGI) to give you a transparent account of the stone's characteristics.

Keeping your lab-grown diamonds looking their best is the same as you would for natural diamonds. Use a soft cloth or brush to gently wipe the stone to remove any dirt and avoid harsh chemicals that can damage both the diamond and its setting.

FAQs About Lab-Grown Diamonds

What is the difference between lab-created and synthetic diamonds?

A mistake often made is thinking that lab-grown diamonds are the same as man-made synthetic diamonds, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, which they are not. Synthetic diamonds are made in a completely different way to lab-grown diamonds and are not considered to be similar in brilliance or colour. A synthetic diamond (also known as a simulated diamond) is also a lot cheaper than a lab grown or natural stone.

Can lab-grown diamonds hold value?

Just as commonly asked as ‘what are lab-grown diamonds?’ is whether they hold their value or not. Lab-created diamonds have the same optical, chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. However, because lab-created diamonds can be produced in abundance, they are less expensive and make larger size diamonds more affordable. Their relative abundance may not ensure that the value will hold over time.

Lab-grown vs. natural diamonds: What’s the difference?

Still deciding between a lab-grown diamond vs natural diamond? As we’ve covered, the main difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is origin and price. Lab-grown diamonds, as the name suggests, are created in a diamond lab as opposed to being formed in the earth over the course of billions of years. Plus, lab-grown diamonds are, in almost all cases, more affordable than natural diamonds.