Lab-Grown Diamond Guide

What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular, with a constantly growing number now available in a variety of settings and pieces. But before we delve any deeper, what is a lab-grown diamond? Simply stated, they are diamonds made in a laboratory instead of being naturally formed and mined from the earth. Also known as cultured diamonds, they are created in the same way as natural diamonds are grown deep underground. The process involves high pressure, high temperature ((HPHT) and chemical vapour deposition (CVD), which is when gas is used to deposit carbon and form the diamond crystals. This makes a lab-grown diamond made of pure carbon and chemically identical to natural diamonds.

What Makes Lab-Grown Diamonds Special?

It’s completely down to personal preference whether natural or lab-grown diamonds are right for you. One of the main draws is the price point. If you’re looking for a particular size of stone (that sparkles just as much as a natural diamond) but need to stay within a certain budget, then a laboratory-grown diamond could be a cost-effective option. This is largely due to lab-grown diamonds not being as rare as their natural counterparts, as well as less steps involved in the creation process. Lab-created diamonds also have few – if any – flaws as they are grown in a controlled environment.

Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

Need some more information on lab-grown diamonds vs natural diamonds? When weighing up the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds, it all comes down to the cost and origin. After all, they are visually, chemically, thermally and physically identical and are both graded on the same 4Cs – cut, clarity, colour and carat. They are consistent in colour, quality and hardness. So, the difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds really is minimal.

To the naked eye, lab-grown and natural stones have the same sparkle and overall appearance as each other. However, can jewellers tell the difference between natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds? The main difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds comes down to where it was formed, so jewellers would be unable to differentiate between the two without using specialist equipment.

Types of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Prefer your gemstones to have a higher intensity of hue? You don’t have to go for white lab-created diamonds. There are a range of brighter options – from a lab-grown yellow diamond to one in shades of pink or blue. Whether it’s a yellow lab-grown diamond or any other colour, these are created by adding trace elements, like boron or nitrogen, during the growth phase. This matches the way that coloured diamonds are naturally formed and means that you can invest in lab-grown coloured diamonds a lot easier than rarer natural alternatives.

Choosing the Right Lab-Grown Diamond

We’ve taken you through what are lab-grown diamonds? As well as lab-grown diamonds vs natural diamonds, but how do you narrow down the best lab-created diamond for you?

Lab-grown diamond vs natural diamond certification is the same, so you can use this to guide you in your choice. Renowned certification bodies such as the International Gemological Institute (IGI) use the four Cs to assess the quality and authenticity of both natural and lab-grown stones. The four Cs refer to colour, cut, clarity and carat weight and provide transparency around the stone's characteristics.

If you’ve decided on lab-grown diamonds, it’s important to properly care for them as much as natural stones. After all, there’s no point having a beautifully cut, sparkling lab-created diamond if it’s dirty. We recommend getting your lab-grown diamond jewellery professionally cleaned in one of Ernest Jones stores at least twice a year, and wipe with a soft cloth regularly in between your appointments.

FAQs About Lab-Grown Diamonds

What is the difference between lab-created and synthetic diamonds?

It’s important not confuse lab grown-diamonds with man-made synthetic diamonds, such as cubic zirconia and moissanite. Synthetic diamonds are created in a completely different way to lab-grown diamonds. A synthetic diamond (also known as a simulated diamond) is not made entirely of carbon, so lacks the brilliance and colour of natural and lab-grown stones.

Can lab diamonds hold value?

Whether lab-grown diamonds hold their value or not, is a commonly asked question. Lab-created diamonds have the same optical, chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. However, because lab-created diamonds can be produced in abundance, they are less expensive and make larger size diamonds more affordable. The relative abundance of those created in a diamond lab may not ensure that the value will hold over time.

Lab-grown vs. natural diamonds: What’s the difference?

Still deciding between a lab-grown diamond vs natural diamond? As the main difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is origin and price, it’s completely down to individual choice as to which one is preferred. Instead of being formed in the earth over the course of billions of years, lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled laboratory. This ensures less flaws but also doesn’t make them as rare. Lab-created diamonds are, in almost all cases, more affordable than natural diamonds but are just as durable and sparkly.