Lab Grown Diamonds
Studio Bijouxx
Lab-grown diamonds, explained
Natural or lab-grown? Both are real diamonds, and I work with both. Here’s an honest guide to how they compare, so you can choose what feels right for you.
Andrea|Melbourne Jewellery Designer
A real diamond
Lab-grown diamonds are made of carbon, just like natural diamonds. They are not an imitation such as cubic zirconia or moissanite.
The same properties
They share the same physical, chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds, so they have the same hardness, brilliance and fire.
A different origin
The only real difference is where they formed: natural diamonds in the earth, lab-grown diamonds in a controlled environment.
The basics
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Lab-grown diamonds are created using technology that recreates the conditions diamonds need to form. There are two main methods: CVD (chemical vapour deposition), where carbon builds up layer by layer on a small diamond seed, and HPHT (high pressure, high temperature), which recreates the intense heat and pressure found deep underground.
Once grown, a rough lab-grown diamond is cut and polished in the same way as a natural diamond.
Can you tell them apart?
Not with the naked eye. Telling a lab-grown diamond from a natural one takes specialised gemmological equipment, which is one reason a grading report is so useful: it records whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown, as well as its quality.
Side by side
Natural and lab-grown compared
| Natural diamond | Lab-grown diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | Carbon | Carbon |
| Physical, chemical and optical properties | The same | The same |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale, the hardest natural material | 10 on the Mohs scale, the same as natural |
| Where it forms | Deep within the earth, over billions of years | Grown above ground in a controlled environment |
| Grading | Graded on the 4Cs by independent laboratories | Graded on the 4Cs by independent laboratories |
| Availability | Rare, with a finite supply | More readily available |
| Price | Generally higher for a similar size and quality | Generally lower for a similar size and quality |
Value
What about price and value?
Because they are more readily available, lab-grown diamonds generally cost less than natural diamonds of a similar size and quality. For many people, that means a larger stone or a higher grade within the same budget.
Natural diamonds are rare, and some people treasure that rarity and the idea of a stone formed by nature over billions of years. Natural and lab-grown diamonds are also valued differently if you ever sell them, so if long-term value matters to you, let’s talk it through before you decide.
Quality
The 4Cs, in brief
Natural and lab-grown diamonds are graded in the same way, using the 4Cs.
Cut
How well a diamond’s facets are proportioned and polished. Cut has a big influence on how a diamond returns light and sparkles.
Colour
White diamonds are graded from D (colourless) through the alphabet as warmer tones appear. Diamonds also come in fancy colours, such as pink.
Clarity
How few inclusions and blemishes a diamond has, from Flawless through to Included. Many are invisible without magnification.
Carat
A measure of weight, not size: one carat is 0.2 grams. Two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different sizes depending on their cut and shape.
Certification
Grading reports
A grading report from an independent laboratory sets out a diamond’s 4Cs and other details, and confirms whether it is natural or lab-grown. Many of the loose diamonds on my Diamonds page are listed with a report from IGI (International Gemological Institute), and some natural diamonds with a report from GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
Any certificates that come with your piece are included in your packaging, so you have them to keep.
A note on sourcing
You’ll hear plenty of big claims about the ethics and environmental impact of diamonds, both natural and lab-grown. The honest answer is that it depends on the individual stone and how it was produced. Rather than make broad promises, I’m always happy to share what I know about a specific stone, so please ask.
Your choice
Which is right for you?
There’s no wrong answer. Both are beautiful, and I’ll help you compare real options within your budget.
You might love a natural diamond if…
- the rarity of a stone formed by nature over billions of years means a lot to you
- you love tradition, or the character of vintage and estate pieces
- long-term value is an important part of your decision, and you’d like to talk it through
You might love a lab-grown diamond if…
- you’d like a larger stone or a higher grade within your budget
- you’re drawn to a coloured diamond, such as pink
- you love the idea of modern technology creating something beautiful
Questions
Lab-grown diamond FAQs
Do you only use lab-grown diamonds?
No. I work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds, as well as gemstones. Many of my designs can be made with either, so you can choose what feels right for you.
Will a lab-grown diamond change colour over time?
No. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond, so it’s just as hard and durable as a natural one and won’t fade or change colour with normal wear. Like any diamond, it will look its best with regular, gentle cleaning.
Is a lab-grown diamond the same as moissanite or cubic zirconia?
No. Moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials that imitate the look of a diamond. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond, made of carbon, with the same properties as a natural diamond.
Can I search for a loose diamond myself?
Yes. You can browse loose diamonds and gemstones on my Diamonds page. Each listing shows the stone’s details, and I’m always happy to help you compare options. Please allow up to 14 days from ordering to receive a loose stone.
Can I set a loose diamond in a custom design?
Yes. Choose a stone you love from my Diamonds page, or let me source one for you, and we’ll design the setting around it. Start your custom request and include any stones you’re considering.
More questions? See my FAQ page.
Ready when you are
Find your diamond
Search loose diamonds and gemstones, or tell me about the piece you have in mind and I’ll help you choose the right stone.
Andrea|Studio Bijouxx, Melbourne Jewellery Designer