If you're shopping for an engagement ring, you've almost certainly come across lab-grown diamonds. They look identical to mined diamonds and cost far less, so it's natural to wonder what the catch is. Here is a clear, honest comparison to help you decide.
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. A lab-grown diamond is made of the same thing as a mined diamond: pure carbon arranged in a diamond crystal structure. It has the same hardness, the same way of bending and reflecting light, and the same fire and brilliance. It is not a simulant like cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are different materials that only look similar.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides recognize lab-grown diamonds as diamonds, as long as their origin is clearly disclosed with words such as "laboratory-grown" or "lab-created." That's why every LUXEIGA diamond is always described as lab-grown, on our website and on its grading report.
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Mined diamonds formed under intense heat and pressure deep in the earth over millions of years. Lab-grown diamonds recreate those conditions in a controlled environment over a few weeks, using one of two methods:
- HPHT (high pressure, high temperature), which mimics the conditions where natural diamonds form.
- CVD (chemical vapor deposition), where carbon atoms build up layer by layer on a diamond "seed."
Both methods produce real diamonds. After growing, each stone is cut and polished by hand, exactly like a mined diamond.
Can you tell them apart?
Not by eye. A trained jeweler with a loupe can't tell a lab-grown diamond from a mined one either. Identifying the origin requires specialist laboratory equipment. What matters for beauty is the same for both: the quality of the cut, color and clarity, which you can read about in our guide to the 4Cs of diamonds.
Lab-grown vs mined: side by side
| Lab-grown diamond | Mined diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Pure carbon diamond crystal | Pure carbon diamond crystal |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Sparkle | Identical when cut equally well | Identical when cut equally well |
| Grading | Independent lab grading report | Independent lab grading report |
| Origin | Grown above ground, traceable | Mined |
| Price | Usually a fraction of the mined equivalent | Much higher for the same size and quality |
Why lab-grown diamonds cost less
The price difference comes down to supply, not quality. Mined diamonds depend on finding, extracting and distributing a scarce natural resource. Lab-grown diamonds can be produced to order. For you, that usually means a noticeably larger or higher-quality diamond for the same budget, or the same diamond for much less.
What about resale value?
It's worth being honest here: lab-grown diamonds generally have a lower resale value than mined diamonds, and prices for lab-grown stones have fallen as production has grown. If you're buying a ring to wear and treasure rather than as an investment, this matters far less than getting a beautiful, well-cut diamond you love at a fair price.
Are lab-grown diamonds durable enough for everyday wear?
Absolutely. With the same hardness as a mined diamond, a lab-grown diamond is just as suitable for an engagement ring you'll wear every day for a lifetime.
The bottom line
A lab-grown diamond gives you the real thing: the same beauty and durability as a mined diamond, with a traceable origin and a far more approachable price. The most important decisions are the same either way: choose a well-cut diamond, the right shape and a setting you love.
Design your lab-grown diamond engagement ring in 3D, or book a free video consultation to see real lab-grown diamonds on camera before you decide.