The rise of lab grown diamonds has not only brought in a significant change in the market for diamonds and fine jewelry but has also caused a lot of conversation about the authenticity of lab grown diamonds and their comparison with naturally mined diamonds.
Here are some points that will make you understand both forms of diamonds better and break the myths of lab grown diamonds being fake diamonds.
Diamonds have long symbolized love, status, and timeless beauty. For centuries, mined diamonds were the only option, formed deep within the Earth under immense pressure and heat over billions of years. Today, technology has revolutionised the game by introducing a powerful alternative, lab grown diamonds. These diamonds, created in advanced laboratories, mirror the brilliance and durability of their mined counterparts while offering unique advantages in terms of ethics, pricing, and sustainability.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Simply put, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds produced in controlled environments using advanced technology. Unlike simulants such as cubic zirconia or moissanite, lab diamonds share the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as mined diamonds. Two primary methods are used to grow these gems:
- HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature): Replicates the Earth’s natural diamond-forming conditions.
- CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): Uses a carbon-rich gas to grow diamond crystals layer by layer.
A lab-created diamond is virtually indistinguishable from one mined from the Earth, so much so that even professional gemologists require specialized equipment to tell them apart.
The Science vs. Nature Debate
Mined diamonds are natural wonders, formed 100 miles beneath the Earth’s crust over 1–3 billion years. They’re then brought closer to the surface through volcanic eruptions and extracted through extensive mining.
Lab-created diamonds are “born” in a matter of weeks, yet replicate the same conditions with human innovation. Think of it as the difference between ice formed in your freezer and ice formed in a glacier; both are chemically identical, just made in different environments.
Visual and Structural Similarities
Lab diamonds and mined diamonds are the same in their physical, chemical and visual composition and qualities. Both exhibit the same fire, brilliance, and sparkle that make diamonds so captivating. Structurally, they are identical, ranking 10 on the Mohs hardness scale; they are equally durable and suitable for daily wear. This makes lab grown diamond jewelry, whether engagement rings, bracelets, or earrings, just as long-lasting as mined pieces.
Cost and Value: A Striking Difference
One of the biggest advantages that lab grown diamonds bring is affordability, because beauty should not be restricted to only a few. On average, they cost 30–40% less than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality, making them affordable for a larger number of people.
The reason for the price difference is not only that lab grown diamonds take less time to create and obtain in comparison to natural diamonds, but also that the supply chain for lab grown diamonds is shorter, and there are fewer markups compared to mined diamonds, which undergo extraction, transportation, and multiple resales. This price difference allows customers to either save money or opt for a larger or higher-quality stone without exceeding their budget and opens new possibilities for luxury without compromise.
Certification and Authenticity
Just like mined diamonds, loose lab grown diamonds are graded and certified by renowned gemological institutes such as GIA and IGI. The grading reports include the same 4Cs – cut, clarity, color, and carat, ensuring transparency and trust. When buying, always look for certified documentation to confirm your diamond’s authenticity and quality, whether it’s a mined or lab-created stone.
Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
Hollywood celebrities like Meghan Markle and Emma Watson have been vocal about opting for sustainable lifestyles and fashion choices and have embraced lab grown diamonds, making them red-carpet favorites. Lab grown diamonds are making rarity reframed. While mined diamonds are finite, lab diamonds can be created on demand, also protecting the planet from the damage that mining for diamonds brings. Being created in safe lab environments doesn’t diminish their beauty or value as jewelry. Natural diamonds are also hand-cut to give it the right shape and size, which at times may lead to wastage of the rare stone.
Lab Grown Diamonds Are Real Diamonds
One of the most common misconceptions is that lab grown diamonds are “fake” or merely imitations. In reality, they are every bit as real as mined diamonds. The only difference lies in their origin. While mined diamonds form beneath the Earth’s surface over billions of years, lab-manufactured diamonds are created in a matter of weeks in advanced labs that replicate the same natural growth process.
The diamonds have no difference from one another, even from a gemological perspective. Both lab grown and mined diamonds are composed of pure carbon in a crystalline structure, giving them identical hardness, fire, and brilliance. They are both graded by the same 4Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat and certified by leading gemological institutes like IGI and GIA. The distinction between “real” and “fake” jewelry usually applies to simulants like moissanite or cubic zirconia, which look similar but are chemically different. Lab-created diamonds, however, are authentic diamonds, just as enduring, just as radiant, and just as capable of becoming treasured heirlooms.
Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Which Should You Choose?
When weighing lab grown vs natural diamonds, the decision often comes down to priorities:
- Choose Mined Diamonds If: You value geological rarity and tradition, and want a gem formed over billions of years inside the Earth.
- Choose Lab Created Diamonds If:You want affordability, sustainability, and the ability to enjoy a larger or higher-quality stone at the same budget.
Both options are real diamonds, one shaped by nature, the other by human ingenuity.
Why Customers Love Lab Grown Diamonds
Many modern buyers are turning to lab grown diamond jewelry not just for its affordability but also for the peace of mind it brings. Above all, lab diamonds allow people to focus less on compromise and more on celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. In a world increasingly eco-conscious of sustainability and ethics, lab-created diamonds represent not only a sparkling choice but also a meaningful one, which allows one to rest assured regarding the forever choice they are making by purchasing a diamond that aligns with their values.