Complete Guide to Lab Grown Diamonds – Everything You Need to Know

They say there is truly nothing like a diamond, but what about lab grown diamonds? We love the sentiment behind diamonds, especially when one has been offered to you by the one person in the world who you simply cannot live without! (That part is key.)

But what makes a perfect diamond…even better? Today we’re filling you in on the latest technology in engagement rings and beyond — the lab grown diamond.

We’ve teamed up with Scott Friedman, Master Gemologist Appraiser at the International Gemological Institute, to answer all your burning questions about lab created diamonds. We’ll give you all the pros and cons you need to be aware of when considering lab grown diamonds over their mined alternative.

And should you eventually decide that lab grown diamonds are for you, we’ll share where to buy your diamond ring, alongside a few of our very favorite bands. Let’s get started!

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds that are produced in a lab, rather than mined from the earth. While mined diamonds take billions of years to form, lab grown diamonds can be grown in a few weeks.

Lab grown diamonds also don’t require the destruction and environmental degradation that comes with mining for diamonds.

At the core of it is this: the two diamonds are the same gemstone. They look the same, and from a chemical composition standpoint they quite literally are the same. One is simply created in a lab and the other is created under the surface of the earth. It’s as simple as that.

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real?

Yes, lab grown diamonds are real! Like we said, the chemical composition of a lab grown diamond and a mined diamond is identical. They are both real diamonds.

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?

Now that we know that lab created diamonds are in fact real diamonds and that they are not cubic zirconia, how exactly are they made?

Scott breaks down the science for us. “A laboratory grown diamond is a human-made diamond developed in a laboratory environment by one of two growth processes. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition).

With the HPHT process, pure carbon powder is pressed into a capsule and subsequently placed in a growth chamber. Under extreme heat (1300-1600°C) and pressure, a rough diamond crystal will grow over a few weeks.

The CVD process begins with a diamond seed being placed inside a vacuum chamber. Next, a mixture of gases containing hydrogen and methane are heated at just the right pressure until they vaporize, and carbon starts to settle onto the seed layer by layer essentially growing.”

So basically, lab grown diamonds are able to take the process that takes place within the earth over the course of billions of years and put it in overdrive to give you a real diamond in the course of a few weeks. Pretty wild!

How Much Do Lab Grown Diamonds Cost?

One of the biggest wins for choosing a lab grown diamond? The price. Scott at IGI tells us, “Typically, there is a 35 to 40 percent price difference between mined and lab grown diamonds, if all 4C’s are equal.”

Talk about a steal. That’s good news for you because you’re either:

1. saving on the ring by getting the same size and quality diamond at a lower price tag or
2. you’re getting a bigger diamond for the same price as a mined diamond.

The production side of lab grown diamonds require a bigger upfront investment. That said, there are less players involved in the supply chain for lab grown diamonds. And this reduction leads to cost savings that get passed on to you.

Your lab created diamond touches fewer hands along the way, resulting in a less expensive rock. You as the shopper receive those cost benefits.

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Worth It?

Scott tell us, “You can find value in just about anything, whether that is monetary or sentimental value. When comparing natural mined diamonds to lab grown diamonds, the one major factor that sets them apart is rarity.

When something is rare, its value tends to increase. Lab grown diamonds do present value mainly by allowing you to afford more diamond for your money. A consumer would be able to purchase a larger or higher quality stone and still be within their budget. If this sounds like what you are looking for, then I would recommend considering a lab grown diamond.”

Takeaway: Diamonds in general aren’t known for their resale value. That includes both mined and lab grown ones.

Can a Jeweler Tell if a Diamond is Lab Created?

And if they can tell the difference, what exactly can jewelers identify when compared to a mined diamond of similar carat, clarity, cut, and color? In essence, are there any significant ways where the differences between mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds can be detected?

Scott at IGI clears things up. He says, “since they are chemically and physically identical, lab grown diamonds can only be distinguished from mined diamonds with advanced equipment or by an experienced gemologist. The handheld diamond testers, which most jewelers have, are not very accurate in determining mined or lab grown.

All diamonds which are submitted to the International Gemological Institute (IGI) for grading, will first be screened to make this distinction. Retail jewelers should sell lab grown diamonds that come with an independent grading report from a reputable laboratory such as IGI to help you buy with confidence.”

Do Lab Grown Diamonds Get Cloudy?

And if so, at what point in the diamond’s lifecycle would that happen? If not, what keeps lab created diamonds from getting cloudy or fading? And how does this all compare to mined diamonds?

Cloudiness can be seen in both mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds. And the lab grown kind aren’t more or less susceptible to getting cloudy.

Scott clears up the confusion on this topic. “In both mined and lab grown diamonds, cloudy inclusions are caused by clusters of tiny crystals inside the stones; this is an effect of the growth processes and will not change over time.

The cloudy inclusions that some lab grown diamonds have results from the HPHT growth process and is not seen in CVD grown stones. In the early days of production, it was more prominent, however the process has improved, and we are seeing stones with higher clarities come through the lab more frequently.

These inclusions are typically only visible under 10x magnification and not seen with the naked eye. Regarding fading, it is not a common occurrence in either kind of diamond.”

All of this to say, generally speaking, you need not be worried about cloudiness in your diamonds, whether grown or mined.

Are Lab Created Diamonds Ethical and Environmentally Friendly?

There’s a lot of talk out there about lab grown diamonds being more sustainable than mined diamonds, but is that actually true? We took this question to the pros, so we could get the facts straight. Are these diamonds truly more sustainable, or is that all talk?

Mined diamonds obviously have a direct impact on the earth. And mining practices aren’t exactly known to be kind to the earth. But are there any sustainability drawbacks that you as the shopper should be aware of when looking at lab created diamonds as an earth-friendly alternative?

We asked Scott, and he had some interesting info to share. He tells us, “Some would argue the energy needed to produce lab grown diamonds removes any sustainability benefit, however certain producers are using alternative energy sources to power their factories. Going one step further, certain producers and industry leaders including IGI, are becoming more sustainable by offsetting carbon emissions.”

And while diamond mining companies are taking steps toward more earth-friendly practices, the fact remains that mining any natural resource takes a toll on the environment. Lab grown diamonds take less energy to create — a significant difference when it comes to building an eco-friendly engagement ring.

So what about the moral/ethical side of things? Regarding human rights issues and ethics, are there any problems with lab grown diamonds that shoppers should be aware of when making a purchase?

Scott tells us there are not any concerns here. “Since lab grown diamonds are produced in modern factory settings, there are no known human rights or ethics issues.”

So if you’re looking for a diamond that doesn’t present any possible ethical or moral conflicts, a lab created diamond might just be the right pick!

Do Lab Grown Diamonds Last?

They say a diamond is forever, but can the same be said for their lab grown counterparts? Scott tells us not to worry. “With both mined and lab grown diamonds having the same chemical, physical and optical properties, both are equally as durable. In fact, both have a mohs hardness rating of 10, which is the highest on the scale.”

What does this mean? Lab created diamonds and mined diamonds are extraordinarily durable and built to last. Whichever you choose, your rock is extraordinarily strong.

Lab Grown Diamond Grading

We asked Scott if there was any difference in the grading and certification process for diamonds created in the lab versus those that are mined from the earth.

He tells us, “at IGI we believe the consumer has the right to know what their diamond’s quality is, based on the internationally accepted system for diamond grading.

That is why since 2005 we have graded lab grown diamonds the same way we do for mined. Our Laboratory Grown Diamond Report will include all 4C’s grading information, as well as proportions, measurements, polish/symmetry and fluorescence grades.”

Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds

Should You Go With Lab Created or Not?

There are a few pros and cons you should be aware of when choosing between lab grown vs mined. Let’s do a quick recap of what we’ve learned from Scott and IGI.

Pros of Lab Grown Diamonds

• Lab grown diamonds are conflict free.
• Assuming all 4C’s are equal, a lab created diamond will cost you about 35-40% less than its mined counterpart. This translates into either cost savings or a bigger diamond, depending on your budget.
• Lab grown diamonds tend to be more sustainable. And many of the companies that create them are working towards reducing their carbon footprints.
• You’re wearing a gem that represents the astounding progress of science. Your diamond represents science’s ability to expedite a billions of years process in a matter of weeks.

Cons of Lab Grown Diamonds

• Lab grown diamonds don’t have an established resale market in the same way mined diamonds do. That said, mined diamonds don’t have great resale value either. In general, this is something to consider when you’re viewing a jewelry purchase solely or primarily from an investment standpoint.

Our Favorite Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings

Love the idea of a lab grown diamond engagement ring? Us too! Now that you know the facts, we’re sharing a few of our favorite rings and styles we’ve fallen in love with.

Looking for More Sustainable Engagement Ring Options + Ideas?

Look no further than our guide to moissanite vs diamond rings. Moissanite is another common alternative to mined diamonds that offers couples a more ethical and sustainable stone option.