Lab-Grown Diamonds: The Complete Guide
Real diamonds, grown in weeks instead of billions of years — for a fraction of the price. What lab-grown diamonds are, whether they're real, how they're made, cost, certification, and if they're worth it.
A decade ago they were a curiosity; today lab-grown diamonds account for a huge share of engagement rings. They're identical to mined diamonds in every physical way, cost a fraction of the price, and skip the mine entirely. But are they "real"? Do they hold value? And are they right for you? This complete guide answers every question — and links to deeper dives on each topic.
Lab-Grown Diamonds at a Glance
- What they are: real diamonds (pure carbon, Mohs 10).
- Not: simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite.
- Made by: HPHT or CVD, in weeks.
- Price: typically 60–90% less than mined.
- Trade-off: lower resale value.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
A real diamond, grown above ground.
A lab-grown diamond is a genuine diamond created in a controlled laboratory rather than mined from the earth. It's pure crystallized carbon with the exact same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a mined diamond — the same brilliance, fire, and Mohs 10 hardness. The only difference is how it was formed: in weeks in a lab, rather than over billions of years underground. Explore ours in lab-grown diamond engagement rings.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes — and this is the key point.
Lab-grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They are not diamond simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are entirely different materials that only imitate a diamond's look. A lab-grown diamond is chemically and structurally identical to a mined one, which is why even a trained jeweler can't tell them apart by eye — distinguishing them requires specialized laboratory equipment. Regulators and gem labs classify them as diamonds, full stop.
Lab-Grown Diamond Rings
Handcrafted, made to order, and IGI-certified — genuine diamonds for a fraction of the mined price.
Shop Lab DiamondsHow Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made
Two methods, one real diamond.
There are two ways to grow a diamond, both producing a genuine stone:
- HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) — recreates the earth's conditions, using extreme heat and pressure to crystallize carbon around a tiny diamond seed.
- CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) — grows a diamond layer by layer from a carbon-rich gas at lower pressure; common for gem-quality stones today.
Either way, the result is real diamond, formed in weeks rather than eons. For the full science, see how lab-grown diamonds are made.
Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds
Identical in the ways that count.
Side by side, a lab-grown and a mined diamond of the same specs look and perform identically — same sparkle, same hardness, same durability. The differences are origin, price, and rarity: mined diamonds carry a natural, billion-year story and hold more resale value, while lab-grown diamonds offer the same beauty for far less and a lower environmental footprint. For a full breakdown, see lab-grown vs natural diamond.
The 4 Cs & Certification
Graded exactly like mined diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are graded on the same four Cs — cut, color, clarity, and carat — as mined diamonds, and quality varies just as much, so certification matters. Most lab-grown diamonds are certified by IGI, with some by GIA; a reputable stone comes with a report and a laser-inscribed certificate number. To understand the labs, see IGI vs GIA certification.
Price: How Much Cheaper?
The headline advantage.
A lab-grown diamond typically costs 60–90% less than a mined diamond of the same size and quality — and prices have fallen sharply as production scaled (down roughly 74% since 2020). In practice, that means a bigger, cleaner, whiter stone for the same budget, or the same look for far less. See real numbers in our lab-grown diamond price guide.
Pros & Cons
An honest look.
Pros
- A genuine diamond, identical to mined
- 60–90% more affordable
- Bigger or higher quality for your budget
- Conflict-free with a lower footprint
- Fully certified and traceable
Cons
- Lower resale value than mined
- Not a financial investment
- Prices may keep falling
- Lacks a mined stone's rarity/story
- Production uses energy
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Worth It?
For most buyers, yes.
If you want the beauty, durability, and prestige of a real diamond and would rather have a larger or finer stone (or simply spend less), a lab-grown diamond is an excellent choice. The main reason to choose mined is if resale value or natural rarity matters most to you. Dig deeper in are lab-grown diamonds worth it? and do they hold value?
Keep reading: our guides to whether moissanite passes a diamond tester, lab-grown vs natural alexandrite and what is a salt and pepper diamond, emerald cut engagement rings cover the next questions most readers have.
Lab-Grown Diamond FAQ
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Is it worth buying a lab-grown diamond?
What is the downside of lab-grown diamonds?
Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds?
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Can you tell a lab-grown diamond apart from a mined one?
A real diamond, made brighter on your budget
Every Aquamarise lab-grown diamond ring is handcrafted, made to order, and IGI-certified — a genuine diamond for a fraction of the mined price.
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