If you are shopping for diamond jewelry, you have probably wondered whether a lab-grown diamond is a genuine diamond or an imitation. The short answer from gemologists and the US Federal Trade Commission is that lab-grown diamonds are diamonds. They are not a different stone. They are grown in a lab instead of mined from the ground.
Quick answer: a lab-grown diamond has the same chemical makeup, crystal structure and hardness as a mined diamond. The difference is where it came from, which is why it must always be described as laboratory-grown.
What a diamond actually is
A diamond is pure carbon arranged in a specific crystal structure. That structure is what makes diamond the hardest natural material, a 10 on the Mohs scale, and gives it its brilliance and fire. A lab-grown diamond is carbon in the same structure, so it has the same hardness and the same optical behavior.
How lab-grown diamonds are made
Producers use one of two methods:
- HPHT (high pressure, high temperature): a small diamond seed is placed under extreme pressure and heat, similar to the conditions in the earth, and carbon crystallizes onto it.
- CVD (chemical vapor deposition): a seed sits in a chamber with carbon-rich gas, and carbon atoms build up on it layer by layer.
In both cases the rough crystal is then cut and polished by the same methods used for mined diamonds.
What the FTC says
In July 2018, the FTC updated its Jewelry Guides and removed the word natural from its definition of a diamond. The agency's position is that lab-grown stones have essentially the same optical, physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds. The same update made disclosure the rule: sellers should say the stone is not mined, using wording such as laboratory-grown or laboratory-created, placed clearly and conspicuously next to the word diamond.
That is why our product pages describe our diamonds as lab-grown.
How labs grade lab-grown diamonds
Independent gemological labs such as IGI and GIA grade lab-grown diamonds on the same four factors used for mined stones: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Their reports state clearly that the diamond is laboratory-grown. Our stud earrings come with IGI certification. See diamond color and clarity explained for what the grades mean.
Can you tell the difference?
Not by eye, and not with most basic tools. Handheld diamond testers that measure heat conduction generally cannot tell a lab-grown diamond from a mined one, because both conduct heat in the same way. Gemological labs use advanced spectroscopy and imaging to separate them. That is the reason disclosure and independent reports matter.
Lab-grown diamond vs moissanite vs cubic zirconia
People often lump these together. They are different materials:
| Stone | Material | Mohs hardness | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab-grown diamond | Carbon | 10 | A diamond, grown in a lab |
| Moissanite | Silicon carbide | About 9.25 | A different gemstone that resembles diamond |
| Cubic zirconia | Zirconium oxide | About 8 to 8.5 | A lower-cost simulant |
Moissanite and cubic zirconia are diamond simulants. They can look similar at a glance, but they are different stones with different properties.
What to know before you buy
- Price: a lab-grown diamond usually costs noticeably less than a mined diamond of the same size and grade. That lets many buyers choose a larger or higher-grade stone for the same budget.
- Resale value: lab-grown diamonds generally do not hold resale value the way mined diamonds can. Buy them to wear and enjoy, not as an investment.
- Durability: they will not scratch easily, cloud or fade over time. Diamond is hard, but it can still chip if struck at the wrong angle, so wear and care for your jewelry sensibly.
- Certification: ask for an independent grading report, and check that the report number and grades match the piece.
Frequently asked questions
Do lab-grown diamonds pass a diamond tester?
Usually yes, because most testers measure thermal conductivity, which is the same in lab-grown and mined diamonds. Separating them takes laboratory equipment.
Do lab-grown diamonds lose their sparkle?
No. Their brilliance comes from the cut and the diamond itself. Regular cleaning keeps them bright. See our care guide.
Are lab-grown diamonds the same as moissanite?
No. Moissanite is silicon carbide, a different gemstone. A lab-grown diamond is carbon, the same material as a mined diamond.
Why are lab-grown diamonds less expensive?
Growing a diamond in a controlled setting takes less time and avoids the cost of mining, and prices across the industry have come down as production has grown. The grade and the cut still decide how a stone looks.
Shop lab-grown diamond jewelry
Browse our IGI-certified lab-grown diamond studs and tennis bracelets, all in 14K gold. Orders ship in 1 to 2 business days and include a 30-day return policy.