Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Diamonds have always fascinated us — symbols of eternity, love, and luxury. But in recent years, a new question has disrupted the jewelry world: 
Can a diamond be real if it's made in a lab?

With the rise of lab-grown diamonds, consumers are more curious (and skeptical) than ever. Are they genuine or synthetic? Do they look the same? Are they worth buying?

In this guide, we’ll cut through the myths, explore the facts, and help you understand what really makes a diamond... real.

The ultimate question: Are lab-grown diamonds real?

Yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They possess the same optical, chemical, and physical properties as their natural counterparts. What sets them apart is not their essence, but their origin. While mined diamonds form deep within the Earth over billions of years, lab-created diamonds are grown in controlled environments using advanced technologies that mimic nature’s process.

More than just a scientific marvel, lab-grown diamonds are driving a sustainable shift in the jewelry industry. They offer an eco-friendly and ethically responsible alternative to traditional diamond mining, which is often associated with environmental destruction and human rights concerns.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a major consumer protection body in the United States, officially defines a diamond as “a mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system.” Based on this definition, a diamond is a diamond — no matter where it’s made.

To better understand the distinction, think of it like this: a rose grown in a greenhouse and a rose grown in the wild are both real. One is cultivated with precision, the other by nature — but they are chemically identical. The same goes for diamonds.

Are lab-grown diamonds the same as mined diamonds? 

At first glance, lab-grown and mined diamonds are visually and chemically indistinguishable. Both are composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice. Both sparkle with the same brilliance. Both are graded using the 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat. Yet, their stories differ.

Lab-grown diamonds are produced in high-tech laboratories using cutting-edge techniques, while mined diamonds are extracted from the Earth’s crust through energy-intensive and often controversial mining operations.

Despite their different origins, the result is the same gem — a real diamond, not a simulant like cubic zirconia or moissanite.

What makes each diamond unique?

Even in a lab, diamonds don’t grow in perfect symmetry. Just like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds develop natural variations during their growth process — subtle differences in inclusions, color undertones, and growth patterns that make every stone unique.

These imperfections are not flaws. They are what give a diamond its identity, just like fingerprints make each person unique.

Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?

This is a common concern, especially for buyers thinking long-term. While lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30% to 50% less than their mined counterparts, their resale value can also be lower.

Why? Because their production is scalable, new diamonds can be created on demand. In contrast, mined diamonds are limited by nature and logistics, making them rarer and often perceived as more exclusive.

That said, lab-grown diamonds are gaining legitimacy fast, and as demand grows, so may their value perception. If your focus is ethical sourcing, affordability, and environmental impact, they remain a strong investment in meaning, if not in resale.

How are lab-grown diamonds made?

Creating a diamond in a lab isn’t science fiction — it’s science perfected. Lab-grown diamonds are formed through advanced technological processes that replicate the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth: intense heat, extreme pressure, and time.

There are two primary techniques used to grow diamonds in laboratories: HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). Each method starts with a “diamond seed” — a small fragment of carbon that serves as the foundation for growth.

The difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds?

To the naked eye — and even under a jeweler’s loupe — lab-grown and natural diamonds look the same. They both sparkle with the same fire, brilliance, and scintillation. Their optical and physical properties are identical, which means that even a trained gemologist can't tell the difference just by looking.

Not detectable by the human eye

Lab-grown diamonds are not imitation stones like moissanite or cubic zirconia. These are entirely different materials with distinct visual cues. Lab-created diamonds, however, are the real deal — down to the atomic structure. If you're worried someone will “know” you're wearing a lab diamond, rest assured: they won’t — unless you tell them.

How are they identified?

The only way to distinguish a lab-grown diamond from a mined one is through specialized equipment that detects growth patterns or trace elements left during the creation process. These include:

• Phosphorescence analysis
  

• Spectroscopy
  

• Laser inscriptions (often added by grading labs for identification)
  
  

Reputable labs like GIA or IGI will always include this information in the diamond’s certificate.

So yes, there are differences — but only ones that matter to scientists, not to your eyes or your heart.

Lab-grown diamonds vs. moissanite and cubic zirconia

A common misconception is to lump lab-grown diamonds together with diamond simulants like moissanite or cubic zirconia. But in reality, they are fundamentally different — in composition, durability, brilliance, and price.

Let’s break it down.

What are diamond simulants?

Simulants are stones that look like diamonds but aren’t made of carbon crystal. They may resemble diamonds at first glance, but behave very differently under light, wear, and magnification.

Here’s how they compare:

Why it matters

• Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds: same substance, same sparkle, same grading standards.
  

• Moissanite is brilliant, but overly fiery under light, which gives it a different look.
  

• Cubic zirconia is cheap and dulls quickly, making it unsuitable for long-term wear or engagement rings.
  

So if you're looking for the authentic diamond experience — both in feel and value — lab-grown diamonds are in a league of their own.

Lab Grown Diamond FAQ

Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper than natural ones?

Yes, significantly. On average, lab-grown diamonds cost 30% to 50% less than mined diamonds of the same size and quality. That’s because their production is scalable and doesn’t involve the high costs of mining, labor, and logistics.

Are lab-grown diamonds real or fake?

They are 100% real. Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical, optical, and chemical composition as natural diamonds. They are not imitations like moissanite or cubic zirconia; they are actual diamonds, just grown in a lab.

Can you insure a lab-grown diamond?

Absolutely. Just like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can be insured based on their appraised value. Many insurers accept IGI or GIA certification and treat lab-grown stones the same as natural ones.

Will my lab-grown diamond come with a certificate?

Yes. Reputable retailers provide grading certificates from trusted gemological labs (such as IGI or GIA). These documents assess the diamond's cut, color, clarity, carat weight, and sometimes specify its lab-grown origin.

Do lab-grown diamonds sparkle the same way?

Yes. Since they have the same refractive index and crystal structure as natural diamonds, they reflect light in the same way, delivering identical brilliance, fire, and scintillation.