LAB GROWN DIAMOND GUIDE

Lab created diamonds have taken the jewellery industry by storm. They’re beautiful alternatives to natural diamonds and offer the same amount of fire and sparkle so if they look the exact same? Why are they so loved? Read our lab grown diamond buying guide to learn more about these lovely gemstones.

What are Lab Created Diamonds?

Lab created diamonds, otherwise known as man-made or cultured diamonds, are grown in a laboratory using cutting-edge technology that mimics the conditions under which natural diamonds develop. As they are formed from the same material and exposed to the same conditions, lab created diamonds are optically and chemically identical to the natural variety.

Why Buy Lab Created Diamonds?

  •  1. Value 

    Lab created diamonds can be up to 30% cheaper than the natural variety. Perfect if you are on a tighter budget or wish to maximise the size of your diamond for the same cost.

  •  2. Quality & Beauty 

    Lab created diamonds exude the same beauty and quality as the natural variety - in fact, they are visually and chemically identical.

  •  3. Ethical 

    Lab diamonds are excellent options for engagement rings. Not only for their beauty and availability but also as being considered an eco-friendly alternative to natural diamonds due to there being a lot of scrutiny over mining practises in the past.

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How are Lab Diamonds made?

Our lab created diamonds are, as their name suggests - made in a laboratory. Each diamond starts its life as a tiny carbon seed. It is then exposed to extreme heat and pressure or entered into a deposition process (known as CVD), to mimic the process of natural diamond formation. It then grows within the laboratory, usually in six to ten weeks, and is cut and polished in the same way that natural diamonds are.

Are Lab Created Diamonds Real?

Yes! Lab created diamonds are real diamonds - just with a different origin. They are visually and chemically identical, so they cannot be differentiated by eye, and specialist equipment is required to tell them apart.

Lab Grown Diamond Natural Diamond Moissanite
Durability 10 on the Mohs scale 10 on the Mohs scale 9.25 on the Mohs scale
Brilliance Refractive index ranges from 2.417 to 2.419 Refractive index ranges from 2.417 to 2.419 Higher brilliance with a refractive index around 2.65
Color Primarily colorless, but can also be created in vivid fancy color options. Primarily colorless, but can also naturally occur in pink, blue, yellow, and rare shades. Usually colorless or near-colorless, but may show rainbow-like reflections.
Grading Graded on cut, color, clarity, and carat. Graded on cut, color, clarity, and carat. Typically graded by cut, color, clarity, and size.
Certification Certified by reputable gemological institutions. Certified by reputable gemological institutions. Can be certified by select gemological laboratories.
Origin Grown in controlled laboratories over several days to weeks and then cut and polished. Formed naturally deep within the Earth over billions of years before mining and polishing. Usually lab-created from silicon carbide specifically for jewelry purposes.
Rarity Can be produced in increasing quantities as technology advances. Limited quantities based on geological availability. Widely available because most moissanite used in jewelry is lab-created.
Price Lower cost than natural diamonds. Higher cost due to rarity and mining processes. Generally the most affordable option among all three.

Lab-Created Diamond vs.Natural Diamonds

Lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds are equally as beautiful as each other. Both are chemically and visually identical, and therefore impossible to differentiate. The only real difference is their origin. Lab-created diamonds are man-made and grown in a laboratory, while natural diamonds are found in nature and formed within the Earth’s mantle. While natural diamonds are still the favoured traditional choice, lab diamonds can be up to 30% cheaper than a natural diamond of the same size and quality.

How to Buy Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery

All of our diamond jewellery is available to buy with synthetic lab-grown diamonds. When selecting your products, simply choose “Lab-Created Diamonds” from the options before adding to your cart. Whether you’re buying a ring, necklace, bracelet, or earrings, the options to select lab-created diamonds will help you create the perfect piece of jewellery.

Lab-Created Diamond Tips

  • Cut

    The cut of a diamond refers to its symmetry, and more specifically to the overall polish and proportion of the diamond. Just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are cut and created using the exact same process. As lab grown diamonds can be made more uniformed in shape in a laboratory, diamond cutters can often cut better stones, meaning less imperfections and a better overall diamond cut in comparison to a natural diamond.

  • Clarity

    Natural diamonds can have imperfections or inclusions that affect their value. The clearest, colourless diamonds are the most valuable and offer the best sparkle so are therefore the most sought after. Lab diamonds are almost always colourless or nearly colourless, putting them on par with the more valuable natural diamonds on the market.

  • Budget

    Lab-created diamonds are perfect for those on a budget.Because they are created instead of mined, the cost of these diamonds can be around 30% lower than that of their natural counterparts meaning you can get more for your money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are lab diamonds a good investment?

Yes, lab diamonds offer a great solution if you are searching for a larger diamond for your budget or a mining-free alternative. Lab diamonds tend to be more affordable than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. However, as with every gemstone, resale value can vary over time. As lab created diamonds are fairly new to the jewellery industry, there is some uncertainty over future pricing when compared to natural diamonds.

Do lab diamonds test as real diamonds?

Both Natural and lab diamonds are physically and chemically identical. They are real diamonds that offer the same characteristics and sparkle as a natural diamond. It is impossible to differentiate lab diamonds from natural diamonds using the naked eye. Specialist equipment is required to distinguish lab diamonds from the natural variety.

Are lab diamonds flawless?

Just like Natural diamonds, every lab diamond is unique and varies in cut, colour and clarity. Lab created diamonds can have minor internal flaws or surface inclusions, in a similar way to high-quality natural diamonds. Using the same strict standards applied to evaluate natural diamonds, lab created diamonds are rigorously tested and graded by independent gemological labs.

Are lab diamonds cheaper than Natural diamonds?

Yes, lab created diamonds offer great value for money and can be up to 30% cheaper than a natural diamond of the same size and quality.

Can you insure lab diamonds?

Yes, you can insure lab diamonds, in the same way as natural diamonds, for further peace of mind.