Lab-created diamonds (also called "lab-grown diamonds" or synthetic diamonds) have the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as their mined counterparts. The only significant difference between a lab-created and mined (or "natural") diamond is that one forms in a controlled environment in a laboratory, and the other forms over time in the uncontrolled environment of the Earth. Both lab-created and natural diamonds are real diamonds.
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Note that diamond simulants, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, differ from both lab-created and mined diamonds. These gem materials have different properties than diamonds. Though they may resemble or "simulate" the appearance of diamonds, they are not diamonds.
To understand what's the same and what's different between a lab-grown gem and a natural gem, think of ice. You can create ice in your freezer or scrape some off your driveway (in the winter). Both pieces would constitute real ice. Both consist of frozen water. However, cutting a chunk of ice off your driveway takes some time and physical effort. Ice is ice, but you may still want to take some extra time to find a piece you'd like to put in your drink. Not to mention you'd have to wait until winter. In contrast, your freezer generates excellent, uniform pieces of ice all year round (probably), although it costs money to run your freezer. Freezer ice is also (hopefully) a lot cleaner than driveway ice, and you'll spend less time and effort getting it.
The same holds true for lab-created diamonds. Creating a gem-quality diamond in a laboratory is very expensive. However, that process still costs far less than mining diamonds. Did you know that the vast majority of mined diamonds don't meet gem-quality standards? While they still have the properties of diamonds, they don't meet the subjective standards for use in jewelry. (The same way most driveway ice won't meet the subjective standards for going in your drink). Thus, lab-created diamonds are less expensive than mined diamonds.
Now, let's debunk some myths.
Actually, neither mined nor lab-created diamonds are rare. Diamond rarity is one of the most pervasive myths about gemstones in general. If you want to buy a rare gem, don't buy a diamond at all. However, if you insist, look for extremely rare (and expensive) mined diamonds over 5 carats or very large natural fancy colored diamonds, such as blues or pinks.
It's true that the market for lab-created diamonds is newer, smaller, and, therefore, less "liquid" than the secondary market for mined diamonds. As a result, selling a lab-grown diamond may prove harder than selling a mined diamond. However, mined diamonds aren't a good store of value either! Ask anyone who has ever tried to sell a diamond if they were happy with the price they got. Diamonds don't make good investment purchases, since their markup is usually very low.
If you're buying a diamond, mined or lab-grown, with the intention of reselling it, you may want to rethink what you're doing for a whole host of reasons. ????
Every mined diamond literally requires moving X tons of earth, fossil fuel use, etc. Diamond mining is about as destructive an activity as you could possibly imagine from an environmental perspective.
The price advantages of buying a lab grown diamond are highly compelling. Lab created diamonds typically cost significantly less than their naturally mined counterparts. On average, lab grown diamonds are about 20-40% cheaper, allowing consumers to access larger or higher-quality stones within their budget.
When it comes to diamonds, the cut is a critical — if not the most critical — driver of beauty and value. Lab-created diamonds tend to receive better cuts than mined diamonds.
Mined, natural rough may occur in irregular shapes or contain mineral inclusions and flaws. This may dictate what a faceter can profitably cut. Whatever leftover rough can't be cut into a gem is wasted. Since lab-created diamond rough forms in a controlled environment, it tends to be both cleaner and cheaper to produce. Thus, faceters face fewer constraints and compromises to the cut when optimizing the yield or size of the finished gem. Less material is wasted and better quality diamonds can be cut from lab-grown rough. The finished gems usually perform better optically compared to cut mined diamonds of the same size, due to superior cutting.
At any given price point, you can get a better and bigger diamond if you buy lab-created instead of mined. For example, take a mined diamond of 1.45 carats, color G, and clarity VS1. For the same money, you could a lab-grown diamond of the same color and clarity but at 2 carats! That's a big difference in size.
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When it comes to evaluating, selecting, and buying diamonds, the same rules apply to mined and lab-created stones. The 4 Cs of color, clarity, cut, and carat will form the basis of your decision. (And don't forget the fifth C, cost).
For detailed information on determining diamond value and evaluating each property, you can consult the following articles:
You can purchase lab-created diamonds from many places, online as well as brick-and-mortar. In either case, rather than purchasing a loose diamond and having it set later, you should secure the assistance of the jeweler who'll actually make the finished jewelry piece when buying the stone. The jeweler can help you consider numerous other factors beyond the 4 Cs. For example:
Some popular online retailers have made the decision to stick to earth-mined diamonds. However, online retailers such as With Clarity and James Allen have thousands of lab-diamonds for sale. For a more bespoke shopping experience CustomMade.com has a great depth of experience specifically with lab-created diamonds. It also has excellent sources and exceptional pricing.
These buying guides should also prove helpful:
Diamonds have long been a symbol of luxury, elegance, and true love. But for much of history, getting your hands on one has required a big bank account, hunting down rare treasures, or and dealing with questionable paper trails. Today, however, advancements in technology have brought us lab-grown diamonds, a popular and ethical alternative to natural diamonds. But what makes the best lab grown diamonds stand out from this growing crowd and how can you find the perfect lab grown diamond for your jewelry needs? Let us serve as your guide to everything you need to know about lab diamonds, from their creation process to their benefits, and how to choose the best ones for your collection.
Sparkle with the Signature Pavé Engagement Ring With a Lab Grown Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond.
Let's start with mined diamonds, or natural diamonds, which are formed under high pressure and temperatures deep within the Earth's crust and brought to the surface by volcanic activity. They are then mined by both human hands and major machinery, which has a lot of impact on our natural resources. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are made using advanced technological processes that replicate the natural formation of diamonds.
Lab diamonds are formed from carbon atoms attached to a diamond seed under high pressure and temperature conditions, only in a highly controlled scientific environment instead. There are a couple of different methods used to grow diamonds in a lab: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods produce diamonds with the same chemical properties as natural diamonds. They are physically and optically identical. So, same brilliance, same beauty, less ethical concern, more sustainability. Sometimes you might hear terms like synthetic or cultured diamonds, but as the market becomes more accustomed to the technology, lab-grown or lab-created diamonds are the terms to know.
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When searching for the best lab-grown diamonds, several factors come into play. The Four Cs—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight—are as important for lab-grown diamonds as they are for natural ones. Additionally, consider the diamond's origin, the certification it comes with, and the reputation of the producer.
Cut: The cut of a diamond has the most impact on its brilliance and sparkle. A well-cut lab-grown diamond will reflect light beautifully, creating that signature sparkle you're looking for. Prioritizing cut grade and diamond proportions will ensure you have a beautiful stone.
Color: The best lab-created diamonds are colorless or near-colorless, though they can be created in any color you desire! The GIA grades diamond color from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Aim for diamonds in the D to F range for a truly white, clear appearance.
Clarity: Clarity refers to the diamond's lack of inclusions or blemishes. The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the higher the clarity grade. We often recommend looking for an eye-clean diamond, meaning that no matter what grade it is, inclusions are not noticeable to the naked eye without magnification. This can help save money while still providing a beautiful stone.
Carat Weight: Carat weight measures the physical weight of the diamond, not its size. This is where cut is important because you can have a large diamond that isn't cut well, and end up with a big dull rock on your hand. Instead, look for a well-cut diamond at a size you can afford.
Dazzle with our Split Shank Solitaire Engagement Ring with a Lab Grown Marquise Cut Diamond.
When shopping for lab-grown diamonds, here are some additional factors to keep in mind beyond the 4Cs:
Certification: While many trusted labs historically did not grade lab created diamonds, they do now. Look to see if your lab grown diamond comes with a certification from a reputable gemological laboratory, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). This gives you a detailed report on the diamond's quality and authenticity.
Reputation of the Producer: If you can, research the diamond producer's reputation and ensure they adhere to ethical and environmental standards. Trusted producers are transparent about their processes and have positive reviews from customers. Our team can help you identify everything you need to know.
Type IIa Diamonds: Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds, with no nitrogen or boron impurities. They are rare and highly sought after for their exceptional clarity and brilliance. Many lab grown diamonds are Type IIa, making them a superior choice for those seeking the best quality.
The perfect lab grown diamonds can create a stunning statement piece like our, Claw Set Wave Diamond ring.
Sure, you can buy loose lab-grown diamonds, or set them in engagement rings, but you can also purchase them in wedding jewelry, pendant necklaces, diamond studs, wedding bands, and other jewelry too! Lab-grown diamonds can be used in all the same styles as mined diamonds, and offer all the same diamond cuts, shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some popular ways to incorporate these stunning gems into your collection:
Lab-grown diamonds are a fantastic choice for engagement rings, which are often a major budget breaker for folks. A lab diamond offers the same brilliance and durability as a natural diamond but at a more affordable price. Whether you prefer a classic solitaire, a vintage-inspired halo, or a modern tension setting, lab-grown diamonds can be crafted into any design. Lab-grown diamonds sparkle from across the room as your center stone, but you can also find gorgeous lab-grown diamond pave settings, or accent stones that feature lab diamonds in countless shapes and styles.
You can also buy lab-grown diamonds set into beautiful men's wedding bands, women's wedding bands, and fashion rings. These high-quality diamonds offer the same beauty and sparkle, and they work for gorgeous diamond bands. The diamond industry is producing diamonds in every size to fit all kinds of designs from chunky diamond eternity bands to tiny pave rings to on-trend styles and diamond shapes. Our collection of lab-grown diamond rings is precision-crafted and set with perfectly cut diamonds to mark your special moment with timeless elegance.
From elegant diamond studs to glamorous hoops and drop earrings, lab-grown diamonds add a touch of sophistication to any style. Their sparkle and clarity make them a perfect choice for everyday wear or special occasions. The only difference between lab diamonds and mined diamonds here is the price tag. A pair of lab grown diamond stud earrings might be half the price of a comparable pair of mined diamond studs, with the same diamond quality and appearance.
A lab grown diamond pendant or necklace is a timeless addition to any jewelry collection. Whether you opt for a simple solitaire pendant or a more elaborate design like a tennis necklace, a lab created diamond necklace will catch the light beautifully and complement any outfit. Want a drop-dead diamond choker? We've got that too.
You can't go wrong with a diamond bracelet, they're just a stunning way to accessorize any look and they go well with both black tie and your favorite denim. Their flexibility is made even better when set with lab grown diamonds, offering intense sparkle and beauty at a more affordable price than natural diamonds. Choose from a wide variety of diamond shapes, total carat weights, and metal colors to suit your style.
Lab grown diamonds make the perfect jewelry accessories.
Choosing lab-grown diamonds for your jewelry can be a more ethical, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective option compared to natural diamonds. The mining process for natural diamonds can be pretty rough on the Earth, including deforestation, soil erosion, and habitat destruction. In contrast, the controlled environments where lab-grown diamonds are produced have a smaller environmental footprint. They still use a lot of energy to produce, but it's low in comparison to the water and carbon footprint of natural diamonds.
Additionally, many natural diamonds come from conflict zones, where they can fund violence and exploitation. If you're concerned about purchasing a conflict-free diamond, a lab-grown diamond is for you.
And one of the most significant advantages of lab-grown diamonds is their cost-effectiveness. Lab-grown diamonds are produced super efficiently and at a lower overall cost than natural diamonds. This means you can get a larger, higher-quality diamond for the same price as a smaller, lower-quality natural diamond.
Choose a more ethical option and save money with Lab Grown Diamonds.