Quick answer: Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same carbon crystal structure, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and the same sparkle as mined diamonds. What differs is origin, price and resale value. Since 2018, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has recognized lab-grown stones as diamonds, provided they are clearly disclosed as laboratory-grown.
Lab-grown diamonds have gone from a novelty to a mainstream choice in just a few years. The most common question we hear is simple: are they real? Yes. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond. What differs is where and how it formed, and what that means for price and personal preference.
What is the same
A lab-grown diamond is made of the same material as a natural diamond: carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal structure. That means it shares the same physical and optical properties:
- The same hardness, 10 on the Mohs scale, the hardest natural material.
- The same brilliance and fire, because light moves through it in the same way.
- The same durability for everyday wear.
You cannot tell the two apart by eye, and even a trained jeweler with a loupe usually cannot. Gem labs identify them with specialized instruments. In 2018, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission updated its jewelry guides to recognize that a diamond is a diamond whether it is mined or made in a lab, while requiring that lab-grown stones be clearly disclosed, with terms such as "laboratory-grown" or "laboratory-created."
What is different
- Origin. Natural diamonds formed deep in the earth over a very long time and were brought up by volcanic activity. Lab-grown diamonds are grown in weeks, using one of two methods: HPHT (high pressure, high temperature), which recreates the conditions deep underground, or CVD (chemical vapor deposition), which builds a crystal layer by layer from carbon-rich gas.
- Price. Lab-grown diamonds cost much less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality, and the gap has widened as production has grown.
- Resale value. Natural diamonds tend to hold more resale value. Lab-grown prices have fallen over time, so they are best bought for the joy of wearing them, not as an investment.
- Rarity and story. For some people, the age and rarity of a mined stone is the point. For others, a lab-grown stone fits their budget and values better.
Grading
Both types are graded on the same 4Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Major labs such as GIA and IGI issue reports for lab-grown diamonds, and those reports state clearly that the stone is laboratory-grown. Many lab-grown stones also carry a tiny laser inscription on the girdle.
How to choose
- Choose lab-grown if you want the look and durability of a diamond at a lower price, or a larger or higher-grade stone for the same budget.
- Choose natural if rarity, geological history or long-term value matters most to you.
Either way, ask for clear disclosure and, for larger stones, a grading report.
At Memori
For our small birthstone accents, pricier stones such as diamond, ruby and emerald are lab-grown by default. They have the same look and hardness as natural stones, at a price that suits a small accent. Natural stones are available as an upgrade if you prefer. Each stone is set by hand in solid sterling silver. See the birthstone options on the Infinity Double Twist Ring.
Frequently asked questions
Can a jeweler tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural one?
Not by eye, and usually not with a loupe. Gem laboratories identify lab-grown diamonds with specialized instruments that read growth patterns and trace elements.
Do lab-grown diamonds pass a diamond tester?
Yes. Because they are diamond, standard handheld testers respond to them just as they do to mined diamonds. Only advanced laboratory equipment can confirm the origin.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Less than natural diamonds. Lab-grown prices have fallen as production has grown, so they are best chosen for wearing and enjoying, not as an investment.
Are lab-grown diamonds graded?
Yes. Laboratories such as GIA and IGI grade lab-grown diamonds on the 4Cs, and their reports clearly state that the stone is laboratory-grown. Our pieces are cast in 925 sterling silver, with stones set by hand.