Are Lab Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Last Updated: May 29, 2026
As the name suggests, lab diamonds originate in a laboratory rather than in the earth like natural diamonds. Despite this, a lab diamond is most certainly real. Lab diamonds and natural diamonds are almost identical in their chemistry and structure, and when cut and polished, they are indistinguishable in how they look and behave.
Both are made from essentially pure carbon. Lab diamonds and natural diamonds are both cut, polished, and graded using the same internationally recognised system of the 4C’s (carat, cut, clarity, and colour,) and both are issued with reports from the same oversight bodies: the GIA and IGI.
We think much of the confusion here lies with the popularity of diamond alternatives like moissanite or cubic zirconia (CZ). These gemstones may look similar, but unlike lab diamonds, they are chemically, optically, and structurally very different to natural diamonds.
Learn more about lab diamonds: our resident geologist, Jane, wrote a comprehensive blog post about them.
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