Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds? Facts
First, let us get the facts straight. Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Simple answer is YES and NO! Lab grown diamonds are exactly the same as real diamonds in terms of being chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.
Both are made of carbon, have the same Mohs scale hardness of 10, and have the same ‘ideal adamantine luster’ which we gemologists consider is the ‘top’ luster and fire a gemstone can get.
The main difference between lab grown and natural diamonds is their origin. Natural diamonds formed billions of years ago deep inside the earth’s crust, while lab grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond formation process.
This is what the debate among diamond traders is about whether lab grown diamonds are considered “real” or not.
The argument is that natural diamonds still have ‘rarity’ and/or ‘investment’ value on their side as the material was formed billions of years ago (limited supply) plus it needs to be mined deep from the earth, which adds additional cost and energy and crystal size is determined by nature and not by the ‘lab growth process.’
Lab grown diamonds over time will become cheaper and cheaper as we can ‘produce’ unlimited supply of them. A real life example of this has already occurred in the color gemstone trade in the early 1900s. Details regarding these arguments are provided below in this post.
So let us dive deeper regarding this question to see why this question has become relevant in today’s jewelry market.
Lab Grown Diamonds Market Reality 2024-2025 Update
The lab grown diamond market has experienced explosive growth, with global sales reaching nearly $9 billion in 2024. However, the market has begun to slow down after this initial rapid expansion.
Like all new trends, people got excited about being able to get a natural looking diamond for cheap. Also, attacks on the natural diamond industry like the Netflix documentary “Nothing Lasts Forever,” which was pretty much a direct attack on De Beers most popular marketing campaign “A diamond is forever,” plus Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Blood Diamond” movie didn’t help the natural diamond industry either.
More significantly, for the first time ever, more than half of couples (52%) reported their engagement ring features a lab grown diamond, according to The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study. This represents a massive shift in consumer preferences, particularly among millennial and Gen Z couples.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds Really?
In simple layman terms, lab grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds in every measurable way.
They both share the same:
- Chemical composition (pure carbon)
- Crystal structure
- Physical properties (hardness 10 on Mohs scale & durability)
- Optical properties (brilliance, fire, and scintillation)
The only difference is their formation process. Natural diamonds require billions of years to form under extreme pressure and high temperature deep within the earth.
Lab grown diamonds are created in weeks using two main methods:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) Method
This process, first developed by General Electric in the 1950s, simulates the same environment found deep in the earth’s crust. The process requires expensive equipment and significant energy, but creates diamonds with the same carbon structure as natural diamonds.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) Method
CVD is a newer and more cost effective process that has gained popularity in the last 5 to 6 years. Initially, CVD diamonds had color issues, producing brownish stones. However, after significant improvements, most CVD diamonds now appear colorless and are virtually impossible to detect without sophisticated laboratory equipment.
How to Identify Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds
Unlike synthetic colored gemstones, lab grown diamonds are extremely difficult to detect. Most natural and lab grown diamonds don’t have obvious internal inclusions or eye visible indicators which we can check under a microscope, and many are exceptionally clean (VS1 grade or above).
This has prompted major gemological laboratories like GIA to develop sophisticated detection methods as listed below:
Laboratory Detection Methods
Spectral Analysis: Large labs use advanced spectral analysis to distinguish between CVD created diamonds and natural diamonds by examining their precise chemical composition.
Natural diamonds generally have trace elements like nitrogen or boron impurities that lab grown diamonds don’t have. The purest natural diamonds called “Type IIA” don’t have these elements and are considered the most pure. Only 2% of natural diamonds are Type IIA and are extremely rare and were considered the most premium. But, with the introduction of lab grown diamonds, now they are a little more difficult to distinguish between the two, which is why labs need to use other identification methods below.
Grain Pattern Analysis: All diamonds have internal graining, but the patterns seen in natural diamonds differ from those in lab grown diamonds when examined under specialized equipment.
When natural diamonds grow, they generally form from the center outward. Lab grown diamonds, especially CVDs which are the most common today, typically grow upwards in a single direction. Due to this process, the crystal structure generally exhibits striations or lines that are parallel to the growth direction. These patterns, while subtle, can be identified using specialized instruments.
Ultraviolet Reaction: Lab grown and natural diamonds react differently under ultraviolet light, which can be observed using GIA’s DiamondView technology.
Examples of how they react differently are provided below:
a) Natural diamonds in general fluoresce only blue in long wave UV. There are exceptionally rare cases of other colors like yellow, red, or green. Also, some natural diamonds do not fluoresce at all or have very light fluorescence (faint).
b) Lab grown diamonds fluoresce in different colors, including yellow, green, orange, and red, and typically fluoresce in short-wave UV. Also, because they were grown in controlled environments, they tend to glow more intensely compared to natural diamonds and UV sticks longer (phosphorescence).
Photoluminescence: Advanced equipment can detect specific wavelengths of light emission that differ between natural and lab grown diamonds.
Why Professional Certification is Essential
Due to the sophisticated nature of modern lab grown diamonds, professional certification from reputable laboratories is crucial. Both natural and lab grown diamonds should come with certificates clearly stating their origin and have laser inscription on the girdle so you can match your diamond with the certificate.
GIA, for example, issues different certificates for natural diamonds versus lab grown diamonds to ensure complete transparency for consumers.
In general Lab Grown Diamonds come with IGI certificates, which include the 4Cs criteria similar to natural diamonds.
While GIA in 2025 has decided to remove D-to-Z color scale terminology altogether to distinguish the difference between lab-grown diamond colors compared to natural diamonds as they fell they are not the same. They are instead using descriptions like Colorless, Near Colorless, Faint, Very Light, and Light rather than the D-to-Z scale seen in natural diamonds.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Worth Buying? Price and Value Analysis
This is where the economics become interesting and somewhat concerning for long term value retention.
Current Price Differences
As of early 2025, an unbranded, round, 1.50 carat lab grown diamond costs on average $500, compared to approximately $8,000 to $12,000 for an equivalent natural diamond. This represents roughly a 90% price difference.
For engagement ring shoppers, this price difference is significant. Where a 2 carat natural diamond engagement ring might cost $35,000, a comparable lab grown diamond ring could cost under $2,000.
The Unlimited Supply Issue
Here’s the critical economic factor that affects long term value: Lab grown diamonds have virtually unlimited supply potential since carbon is abundant everywhere on earth.
Based on basic economic principles, when a resource has unlimited supply, there’s actually no theoretical limit on how low priced it can become, as any laboratory can produce additional units.
This creates a fundamental difference between lab grown and natural diamonds:
- Natural diamonds: Limited supply from mining operations
- Lab grown diamonds: Unlimited supply potential from laboratories worldwide
Historical Precedent Synthetic Colored Gemstones
We’ve seen this pattern before in the colored gemstone trade. Synthetic rubies, invented in the 1880s, can now be produced in tons and are perfect substitutes for natural rubies in terms of:
- Color (often better than natural)
- Chemical composition
- Crystal structure
- Physical properties
However, synthetic rubies today have minimal value essentially just the cost of cutting labor. Meanwhile, the highest quality natural rubies have dramatically increased in value due to their limited supply.
The same pattern exists for synthetic emeralds and sapphires.
Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds Which Should You Choose?
When Lab Grown Diamonds Make Sense
Budget Considerations: If you want maximum size and visual impact for your budget, lab grown diamonds offer significantly more carat weight for the same price.
Ethical Concerns: Lab grown diamonds eliminate concerns about potential conflict diamonds or environmental impact from mining.
Fashion Jewelry: For pieces where long term value retention isn’t a primary concern, lab grown diamonds provide excellent beauty at accessible prices.
When Natural Diamonds Make Sense
Investment Value: If long term value retention is important, natural diamonds historically maintain value better due to limited supply.
Tradition and Sentiment: Many buyers still prefer the romantic notion of a diamond formed over billions of years in nature.
Rarity Factor: Natural diamonds offer genuine scarcity, which some consumers value for special occasions like engagements. Also, the larger (higher carat weight), whiter (D to F color), and cleaner (VVS or above) the rough is, the more ‘rarer’ the diamond is.
Our Professional Recommendation
When buying any diamond lab grown or natural it’s essential to:
- Verify Certification: Ensure your diamond comes with proper certification from a reputable laboratory clearly stating its origin.
- Understand the 4Cs: Whether lab grown or natural, diamond quality still depends on Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight.
- Ask Pointed Questions: Make sure your dealer is knowledgeable about diamond origins and can explain the differences clearly.
- Consider Your Priorities: Decide whether maximum size, long term value, or ethical considerations are most important to your purchase.
The Future of Lab Grown Diamonds 2025 and Beyond
The lab grown diamond market faces several challenges moving forward:
Market Saturation Concerns
With sales growth slowing after explosive expansion, the market shows signs of approaching saturation in certain segments.
Falling Prices
Continued technological improvements and increased production capacity are driving prices down further, which benefits consumers but raises questions about future value retention.
Regulatory Changes
Stricter labeling requirements ensure better consumer protection but also highlight the importance of understanding exactly what you’re purchasing.
Consumer Education
As consumers become more educated about the differences between natural and lab grown diamonds, purchasing decisions are becoming more informed and value conscious.
Lab Grown Diamonds Conclusion
Are lab grown diamonds real? Yes, in terms of physical or chemical composition they are identical to natural diamonds.
The question isn’t about their authenticity but rather about understanding what you’re buying and what factors matter most to you.
Lab grown diamonds offer exceptional beauty and value for consumers who prioritize size, budget, and environmental or political considerations. However, natural diamonds continue to hold advantages in terms of rarity, tradition, and potential long term value retention.
The most important factor is purchasing from knowledgeable, reputable dealers who can provide proper certification and help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences.
Whether you choose lab grown or natural diamonds, understanding the 4Cs, getting proper certification, and working with trusted professionals will ensure you get the best value for your investment.
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds, and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us:
- Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of both natural and lab grown diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world
- All stones sold by us are verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or properly certified
- We provide personalized service and NOT the same old “One Size Fits All” Approach
- Honest, frank, and objective opinions about which option is best for your specific needs and budget
Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring Service:
If you are in the market looking for the best diamond (natural or lab grown) and custom handmade engagement ring, contact us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.
From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, we are not looking to sell you anything specific, but will provide honest, frank, and objective opinions on what we think is best within your offered budget.
This service is free, and there is absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won’t hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!
How do we compile this diamond list?
- We first contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirements in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to ensure we can provide you the best deal.
- If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network, sifting through over 900,000+ natural diamonds & lab grown diamonds, and will find you the best option. The only setback when choosing from this global list is that it can take one to two weeks to arrive in Bangkok.
Contact us at [email protected] to start your diamond search today!