Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are, in the strict scientific sense, diamonds through and through. They are made of pure carbon arranged in the famous cubic crystal lattice, so they score a full 10 for hardness, display the same fire and brilliance, and will live happily on a diamond tester. Chemically and physically they tick every box.
What they do not share is the geological back-story that makes a natural diamond one-of-a-kind. A mined diamond began life one to three billion years ago, some 150 kilometres under the earth’s crust, and was carried to the surface by a volcanic event that will never be repeated. That journey leaves each stone with tiny quirks—subtle growth lines, trace elements and inclusions—that record its origin.
Can you see the difference?
With the naked eye, no. A clean, well-cut lab diamond looks just as sparkly on the finger as a natural stone. Under specialist equipment, yes. High-powered microscopes pick up straight growth striations that rarely occur in nature, and fluorescence imaging reveals patterns unique to lab growth. Gem labs also laser-inscribe every certified lab stone on the girdle, so a jeweller can read the report number and check the database in seconds.
Will a lab diamond pass a tester?
A basic handheld tester measures thermal or electrical conductivity. Both stones conduct heat in the same way, so the device flashes “diamond”. Professional screening instruments, which combine spectroscopy and phosphorescence, will still flag a lab-grown origin.
Do lab diamonds go cloudy?
No. They are as just stable as natural stones. If a diamond of any origin - natural or synthetic - loses its sparkle it is almost always coated in hand cream, soap or kitchen grease and needs a quick scrub with warm water, mild washing-up liquid and a soft toothbrush.
Are they as durable?
Absolutely. The Mohs scale tops out at 10, and both stones sit right there. They resist scratches from anything but another diamond, and will happily become an heirloom if that is your plan.
Why are lab-grown diamonds so much cheaper?
The price gap comes down to supply and time. A natural diamond requires millions of years, heavy infrastructure and formidable earth-moving costs to uncover. A lab-grown diamond takes roughly six to twelve weeks in a factory the size of a small warehouse. Once the machinery is up and running, extra stones cost little more than electricity and maintenance.
As new growers join the market and older factories scale up, prices keep sliding. A 2 ct lab diamond that cost £10,000 five years ago can be found for under £3,000 today, while the same natural stone still sits nearer £18,000. Consumers enjoy the lower ticket price, but that flood of new supply has consequences for resale and long-term value.
Do they hold their value?
At the moment, no. Because production keeps rising and techniques keep improving, yesterday’s stones are being undercut by cheaper, technically cleaner stones grown today. That downward pressure makes lab diamonds a poor choice if you are hoping to recoup your money later or pass the stone on as an appreciating asset. Natural diamonds, although not immune to market shifts, have a century-plus track record of retaining a healthy slice of their purchase price and often ticking up over decades.
Are they a good investment?
Only in the emotional sense. Lab-grown diamonds let you enjoy a bigger, brighter stone for your budget right now, but they should not be bought as a financial hedge. If future value matters - perhaps you are building an heirloom piece for the next generation - natural is the safer bet.
Certification and identification
Reputable stones, natural or lab, are graded by independent authorities such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), IGI (International Gemological Institute) or GCAL. Each report assesses cut, colour, clarity and carat weight to the same strict standard.
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Every lab-grown diamond comes with “LABORATORY-GROWN” printed in bold on the certificate and has its report number laser-inscribed on the girdle.
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Every natural diamond is labelled “NATURAL” on the report and carries its own inscription if requested.
If you ever inherit or buy a diamond without papers, a trusted jeweller can send it to a lab for confirmation.
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
There are two main recipes, both starting with a wafer-thin slice of natural diamond called a seed.
HPHT vs CVD Diamonds
Both routes create real diamonds; they simply arrive by different roads.
How different types of Lab Grown Diamonds are grown
Are lab-grown diamonds more ethical or eco-friendly?
Mining versus manufacturing
Open-pit mining moves tonnes of rock, disturbs habitats and can bring heavy social baggage if carried out in countries with weak governance. Lab growth sidesteps those land issues and conflict concern, but the picture is not automatically green.
The energy question
Growing a diamond demands sustained heat, vacuum pumps and plasma generators, all of which draw serious electricity. In countries like the UK or Canada, where renewable and nuclear power dominate, the carbon footprint can be fairly modest. In areas running on coal, it can exceed that of a modern, well regulated mine.
Working conditions
Factory work is generally safer than deep mining, yet wages, hours and safety gear still hinge on local labour laws. Some Chinese and Indian facilities have been criticised for poor oversight, while a handful of Western growers publish detailed sustainability reports and pay living wages.
The take-away
Lab-grown diamonds can be the more ethical choice, but only when the factory runs on clean energy and treats staff well. The only way to know is to ask. Responsible jewellers will name their growers and show third-party audits.
Are lab-grown diamonds suitable for engagement rings and daily wear?
From a practical perspective, yes. They shrug off everyday wear and look fabulous in a proposal photo. If your goal is maximum sparkle per pound, a lab diamond wins hands down.
From an emotional perspective, ask yourself what feels right. Many of our clients fall in love with the idea of a stone that pre-dates the dinosaurs and choose a natural diamond for its history and heirloom potential. Others prefer the larger lab stone because size and visual impact matter more than geological romance. There is no wrong answer, only the answer that suits you.
A word on coloured lab diamonds
Colourless lab stones can match the icy white of a natural D or E grade. Fancy colours, however, are still a work in progress. Lab yellows and pinks often look oversaturated, more “jelly-tot” than the subtle champagne and blush found in nature. If you are craving a delicate hue, a natural fancy-colour diamond or a sapphire might still be the better artistic choice.
Our stance at Poppy Elder Fine Jewellery
I build my reputation on unique natural diamonds - stones with quirks, character and a story written by geology itself. That is where our heart lies, and it is what we do best.
But life is not one-size-fits-all. If you dream of a bigger stone for your budget, want to avoid new mining entirely or simply love the tech behind a lab crystal, we are happy to source a lab-grown diamond from one of our vetted partners. You will get:
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A full grading report from GIA or IGI .
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Transparent pricing that shows exactly how the cost compares with a natural stone.
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An honest chat about long-term value, care and any ethical questions you might have.
No upsell, no pressure. My job is to lay out the facts so you can choose with confidence. Whether you walk away with a billion-year-old natural diamond or a six-week-old lab diamond, we will set it beautifully, size it perfectly and invite you back any time for a free clean and check-up.
Ready to explore the options? Book a free consultation or email me at hello@poppyelder.com. Let’s chat and you can decide which sparkle tells your story.
