Lab-Grown Diamonds: Questions, Differences, and Buying Guide

Lab-grown diamonds, also called laboratory-created diamonds, are increasingly chosen for engagement rings and diamond jewellery. Here you will find answers to the key questions to help you compare quality and offers with confidence.

What is a lab-grown diamond?

A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond created under controlled laboratory conditions. Like a natural diamond, it is made of crystalline carbon and has the same essential optical and physical properties. The difference is its origin, not the material.

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds consist of pure carbon and have the same physical and optical properties as natural diamonds. They cannot be reliably distinguished without specialised gemmological analysis. The difference lies in formation: weeks in a laboratory versus vast geological periods in nature.

How are lab-grown diamonds made?

There are two established methods. In the CVD process, a diamond grows layer by layer from carbon-containing gas. The HPHT process recreates conditions of high pressure and high temperature similar to natural growth. Both methods can produce jewellery-quality diamonds.

Are lab-grown diamonds certified?

Lab-grown diamonds can be certified by recognised gemmological laboratories such as IGI. A certificate documents carat weight, colour, clarity, cut, and laboratory origin. When buying, always compare the certificate number with the details of the offered diamond.

Lab-grown vs. natural diamonds: what is the difference?

The key difference is origin. Natural diamonds form in the earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory. Their optical properties, hardness, and chemical composition are comparable. Price differences result from supply, demand, origin, and the individual quality characteristics of a stone.

How much does a 1-carat lab-grown diamond cost?

The price of a 1-carat lab-grown diamond varies considerably depending on cut, colour, clarity, certificate, and shape. The four most important quality characteristics are known as the 4Cs: carat, cut, colour, and clarity. Use our filters to compare lab-grown diamonds by these criteria.

What should I look for when buying a lab-grown diamond?

Look for a traceable certificate, the 4Cs, and the proportions of the cut. A good cut has a strong influence on brilliance and light reflection. Also check the product description, return conditions, and whether the diamond suits the intended jewellery setting.

Are lab-grown diamonds suitable for engagement rings?

Yes. With a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, lab-grown diamonds are as suitable as natural diamonds for jewellery worn every day. For an engagement ring, a durable setting, the correct ring size, and regular care are also important.