Are lab diamonds REAL diamonds?

The My Irish Jeweler guide to lab diamonds

Also known as lab-created, lab-grown, man-made, or synthetic, as the name suggests, lab diamonds have their origins in a laboratory rather than originating in the earth like natural diamonds. But as you will find out in this guide, yes lab diamonds are REAL diamond. Read on to find out more about these incredible stones that are shaking up fine jewellery around the world.

Just like natural diamonds, lab diamonds are the product of pure carbon and time, combined with immense temperature and pressure. Lab diamonds are technological marvels: replicating and controlling the primeval forces required to produce natural diamonds in a man made setting. These processes that take millions of years to accomplish naturally can be completed in a lab in a few weeks. No mean feat!

Lab diamonds on the cutting edge.

It has been possible to grow diamonds in a lab since the 1950s. But until recently, most of the stones produced were of smaller size and inferior quality perfect for industrial or scientific applications but not for jewellery. In the past five to ten years, the technology to create large, gemstone quality lab diamonds for heirloom jewellery has developed rapidly, making them a viable and exciting option for jewelers and shoppers alike.

There are two main processes for creating large, gem-quality diamonds in a laboratory: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both use a natural diamond “seed” to kickstart growth and require several weeks of carefully controlled conditions. Both produce high quality gemstones that are perfect for use in fine jewellery.

Lab Diamonds: A more accessible, and sustainable, heirloom.

The advances in lab diamond technology has coincided with the search for more sustainable and ethical alternatives, paving the way for lab grown diamonds to be increasingly desirable. There is a growing worldwide trend for lab grown diamond options for engagement and anniversary rings.

As an added bonus, without the significant costs of exploration and extraction, lab diamonds can cost anywhere from 20% to 50% less than their natural counterparts. This makes them a savvy and scintillating choice for those looking to get the most bang for their buck!

Lab diamond FAQ

This more accessible price point is certainly appealing to many. But as with any new development, lab diamonds are likely to bring up a lot of questions for those looking to buy a piece of heirloom jewellery. Many may wonder “Are lab diamonds REAL diamonds?” or “Will a lab diamond last?” and “What really is the difference between lab diamond and natural diamond?” Read on for our answers to these Lab diamond FAQ:

Are Lab diamonds REAL Diamonds?

Yes, a lab diamond is most certainly real. Lab diamond and natural diamond 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.

To the untrained eye, and even those of highly trained and experienced jewelers, lab diamonds and natural diamonds are identical. They can only be told apart by using specific scientific testing techniques that zero in on their only clear distinction - how they formed. Natural diamond forms deep underground over millions of years, and lab diamond in a controlled man made setting over several weeks, but both are very much “real” diamonds.

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 diamond, they are chemically, optically, and structurally very different to natural diamonds.

Will a lab diamond last?

The short answer? Yes. A lab-grown diamond is essentially identical to a diamond that is formed naturally and shares all of its mesmerizing physical properties. Just like natural diamonds, lab diamonds are immensely hard gemstones, maxing out the hardness scale at 10, making them ideal for jewellery. They have the same fire and scintillation, and with proper care, a lab diamond - just like a natural diamond - will last throughout your lifetime, delighting you and the generations to come as a cherished heirloom.

Some scientific studies of industrial lab diamonds have shown that they can be even more durable than their natural counterparts. So the key takeaway - whether you choose lab diamond or natural diamond, you will have a piece of heirloom jewellery made with the hardest gemstone available that will certainly last and become a cherished family heirloom.

What’s the difference between lab diamond and natural diamond?

To even a highly trained eye, there is no difference between lab diamond and natural diamond. Lab diamond and natural diamond are essentially optically and chemically the same. So telling them apart using traditional tests or so called “diamond detectors” is not possible - even for experts.

How they grow

However professional organisations like the GIA and IGI have developed testing and technology to tell them apart that focuses on their one key difference - how and where they grow.

Lab diamond grows in a lab using one of two techniques - HPHT or CVD. Both of these techniques produce lab diamonds with specific growth patterns, cubic for CVD and cubo-octahedral for HPHT. These patterns are different again to natural diamond which grows in octahedral crystals deep underground over millions of years. Even when the resulting stones are cut and polished, experienced testers can look at their growth patterns under UV light to tell them apart.

How much they cost

That difference in how and where they grow also has an impact on their cost, resulting in a secondary distinguishing factor - price. Lab diamond comes in at a price point that is typically anywhere from 20% to 50% lower for a corresponding natural diamond.

Any other questions?

You are now on your way to becoming an expert in lab diamond. But if you have any other questions or would like to know more please do let us know. Leave a comment below, give us a call or send us an email.