Lab Grown Diamond FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about lab-grown diamonds—from how they're made to how they compare with mined diamonds.
The Basics
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as mined diamonds. They are composed of pure crystallized carbon arranged in a diamond's characteristic cubic crystal structure.
The only difference is their origin: mined diamonds formed in the Earth over billions of years, while lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories over weeks using processes that replicate natural diamond formation conditions.
There are two primary methods: High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
HPHT: Replicates the extreme pressure and heat found deep in the Earth's mantle. A diamond seed is placed in carbon and subjected to approximately 1.5 million pounds per square inch of pressure and temperatures around 1,500°C.
CVD: Uses a carbon-rich gas mixture in a vacuum chamber. Microwave energy breaks down the gas, and carbon atoms deposit onto a diamond seed, building layer by layer.
No. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically different from cubic zirconia and moissanite.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds (pure carbon). Cubic zirconia is zirconium dioxide—a completely different material often used as a diamond simulant. Moissanite is silicon carbide—also a different gemstone with distinct optical properties.
Lab-grown diamonds share all the properties of mined diamonds because they ARE diamonds. CZ and moissanite are different gemstones entirely.
Quality & Grading
Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same 4Cs standards as mined diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. Independent gemological laboratories like IGI (International Gemological Institute) evaluate and certify lab-grown diamonds.
Each certified diamond comes with a grading report documenting its specifications. Many lab-grown diamonds also have a laser-inscribed identification number on their girdle.
Yes. Like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can have inclusions and blemishes. These characteristics form during the growth process and are evaluated as part of the clarity grading.
Lab-grown diamonds span the full range of clarity grades, from Flawless to Included. Each stone is unique with its own individual characteristics.
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are available in a range of colors, from colorless (D-F on the GIA scale) to near-colorless (G-J) and beyond. Fancy colored lab-grown diamonds—including blue, pink, yellow, and other hues—can also be created by introducing specific trace elements during the growth process.
Identification & Testing
To the naked eye and most standard gemological tests, lab-grown and mined diamonds are indistinguishable. They share the same hardness, brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Specialized laboratory equipment can detect subtle differences in growth patterns and trace element concentrations that indicate a diamond's origin. These differences do not affect the diamond's appearance or durability.
Standard thermal conductivity diamond testers will identify lab-grown diamonds as real diamonds because they have the same thermal properties as mined diamonds. These testers are designed to distinguish diamonds from simulants (like cubic zirconia), not to differentiate between lab-grown and mined diamonds.
Durability & Care
Lab-grown diamonds have the same durability as mined diamonds. They score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale—the highest possible rating—making them the hardest natural substance and exceptionally resistant to scratching.
They are suitable for everyday wear, including engagement rings, and will maintain their beauty over time with proper care.
Care for lab-grown diamond jewelry the same way you would care for mined diamond jewelry:
• Clean regularly with mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush
• Store separately from other jewelry to prevent scratching
• Remove before swimming in chlorinated water or using harsh chemicals
• Have settings inspected periodically to ensure prongs are secure
No. Lab-grown diamonds will not fade, cloud, or change color over time. They have the same stable crystal structure as mined diamonds, which means they maintain their appearance indefinitely.
The brilliance and fire you see in a lab-grown diamond will remain constant for generations with proper care.
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Continue Learning: Lab Grown Diamonds · How They're Made · The 4Cs