Lab-grown diamonds, also called lab-created diamonds, are real diamonds. They have the same chemical makeup, crystal structure and hardness as diamonds mined from the earth. The difference is where they form: in a laboratory over a few weeks, rather than deep underground over billions of years.
Here is what that means when you choose a diamond for an engagement ring or a piece of fine jewelry.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?
Yes. A lab-grown diamond is pure carbon, arranged in the same crystal lattice as a natural diamond. It is not a simulant such as cubic zirconia, which is a different material altogether.
- Natural diamonds form deep in the earth's mantle over billions of years.
- Lab-grown diamonds grow over several weeks in a laboratory, either under high pressure and heat or from a carbon-rich gas.
A trained gemologist cannot tell the two apart with a loupe alone. It takes specialized laboratory equipment. Lab-grown diamonds are graded by IGI on the same color, clarity and cut scales as natural diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds
| Lab-grown diamond | Natural diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Grown in a laboratory over weeks | Formed in the earth over billions of years |
| Composition | Pure carbon, diamond crystal structure | Pure carbon, diamond crystal structure |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Brilliance and fire | The same as a natural diamond of the same cut | The same as a lab-grown diamond of the same cut |
| Grading | Graded by IGI on the same color, clarity and cut scales as natural diamonds | Graded by labs such as GIA and IGI |
| Price | Usually lower for the same size and grade | Usually higher for the same size and grade |
| Availability | Widely available in most sizes and grades | Rarer, especially in large sizes and top grades |
Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond?
More diamond for your budget
For the same budget, a lab-grown diamond usually lets you choose a larger stone, or a higher color and clarity grade, than a natural diamond would.
The same beauty and strength
A well-cut lab-grown diamond has the same brilliance, fire and sparkle as a natural one. It is just as hard, so it is made for everyday wear.
Clear, consistent grading
Lab-grown diamonds are graded by IGI on the same color, clarity and cut scales as natural diamonds. At Tang&Co., every lab-grown center stone is at least F color and VS1 clarity, and center stones of 1.00 ct and above come with an IGI report.
How Are Lab Diamonds Made?
There are two main methods.
1. High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT)
HPHT recreates the heat and pressure found deep in the earth. A small diamond seed is placed in a press with a carbon source. Under intense heat and pressure, the carbon dissolves and crystallizes onto the seed.
2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
In CVD, a diamond seed sits in a vacuum chamber filled with a carbon-rich gas such as methane. The gas is heated until it breaks apart, and carbon atoms settle on the seed one layer at a time, building a diamond crystal.
Both methods produce real diamonds. The method does not tell you how good a stone is. Cut, color, clarity and carat do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Most diamonds, natural or lab-grown, resell for less than their purchase price. Lab-grown diamonds usually resell for less than natural ones. Because they cost less to begin with, they suit buyers who are choosing a ring to wear rather than an investment.
Do lab-grown diamonds get cloudy?
No. A lab-grown diamond does not change over time. Lotion, soap and everyday dust can leave a film that dulls the sparkle. A soak in warm water with a little mild soap, and a gentle brush with a soft toothbrush, brings it back.
How can I tell if a diamond is lab-grown?
Check the grading report. Reports from IGI and GIA state whether a diamond is laboratory-grown, and many lab-grown diamonds carry a tiny laser inscription on the girdle that matches the report number.
Are There Any Downsides to Lab-Grown Diamonds?
- Resale value: lab-grown diamonds usually resell for less than natural diamonds, and prices have fallen as production has grown.
- Rarity: if a stone formed by nature over billions of years matters to you, a natural diamond may feel more meaningful.
If what matters most is how the ring looks and what you get for your budget, a lab-grown diamond is a strong choice. If you prefer a natural diamond, we source natural stones by quotation, including G to J color and SI clarity. Tell us what you are looking for through our Diamond Curation Service.
Choosing Your Lab-Grown Diamond
Our engagement rings are made to order in 14k or 18k gold, in white, yellow or rose. You choose the lab-grown center stone from three grades:
- F color, VS1 clarity
- E color, VVS2 clarity
- D color, VVS1 clarity
Center stones of 1.00 ct and above come with an IGI report. Browse our lab-grown diamond engagement rings, see our Ready to Wear engagement rings with the center stone already chosen, or find more answers in our FAQ.