Lab Diamonds Buying guide
Shopping for a diamond can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be—especially if you’re exploring the world of lab-grown diamonds. Whether you’re looking for ethical sourcing, budget-friendly options, or simply a bigger stone for your money, lab-grown diamonds provide an exciting alternative to traditionally mined diamonds. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from understanding how they’re made and graded, to comparing prices and selecting the perfect ring. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to choose a diamond that meets your aesthetic, ethical, and financial expectations—without compromising on sparkle.
Price: The #1 Reason to Consider Lab Diamonds
When you’re shopping for a diamond—especially something as significant as an engagement ring—price is often top of mind. This is where lab-grown diamonds truly shine. In most cases, a lab diamond of the same carat weight, color, and clarity can be significantly more affordable than its mined counterpart—sometimes by 30–70% or more.
Why does this matter? Because it grants you greater flexibility:
- Afford a Larger Stone: Instead of settling for a smaller diamond to fit your budget, you can move up in carat size without breaking the bank.
- Higher Quality for the Same Price: If size isn’t your main priority, you could opt for a better color or clarity grade at a comparable cost.
- Overall Savings: Even with the same specs, a lab-grown diamond will leave more money in your pocket, allowing you to allocate your budget toward the setting, wedding costs, or other personal goals.
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See the REAL WORLD Difference in a 2 Carat Diamonds
To illustrate how much you can potentially save, check out these two curated ideal cut listings for 2-carat diamonds—one lab-grown and one natural. You’ll quickly see that the price gap is both significant and compelling.
That is a massive price difference. It’s undeniable that the price point drives a serious conversation for consideration. I will advise on some buying tips below for you to decide if lab diamonds are right for you.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?
A common question people have when first hearing about lab-grown diamonds is, “Are they actually real?” The short answer is yes. In fact, they’re so chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds that standard diamond-testing equipment and gemological labs will register them as genuine diamonds.
Key Points to Know:
Chemical Composition: Lab-grown diamonds are made of pure carbon—the same as mined diamonds. Under extreme heat and pressure, this carbon crystallizes into the diamond’s cubic structure, resulting in the same sparkle, hardness, and fire.
Physical Properties: On the Mohs hardness scale, both lab-grown and mined diamonds rank 10—making them the hardest known substance. This is why lab-grown diamonds are just as durable for everyday wear.
Diamond Tester Readings: Because lab diamonds share the identical thermal and electrical conductivity properties as mined stones, diamond testers will confirm them as authentic diamonds. They’re not simulants like cubic zirconia (CZ) or moissanite.
In other words, the only thing that’s different is where the diamond originated—in a controlled lab environment instead of deep within the Earth. When it comes to appearance, performance, and composition, lab-grown diamonds are every bit as real as their mined counterparts.
Lab Diamonds: IGI vs. GIA Grading
For a long time, most lab-grown diamonds on the market were certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI). IGI provides a thorough evaluation of the 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat) and often includes details about the diamond’s growth process (e.g., HPHT or CVD), as well as any post-growth treatments performed to enhance color or clarity.
Meanwhile, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)—often hailed as the gold standard for natural diamond grading—has begun expanding into lab-grown certification. However, GIA’s lab-grown diamond reports typically do not specify the growth method (HPHT or CVD) or note post-growth enhancements, leaving some aspects less transparent compared to IGI. Despite that, a GIA certification remains extremely valuable due to GIA’s rigorous standards for assessing the 4Cs. Many jewelers now offer GIA-graded lab diamonds, and as GIA refines its approach to lab-grown grading, this option will likely become even more prominent.
Growth Process & Post-Growth Treatments
High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) are the two primary methods used to create lab-grown diamonds.
HPHT: Diamonds are formed by subjecting a tiny carbon seed to intense heat (over 2,000°F) and high pressure (simulating conditions within the Earth’s mantle). This method can sometimes create diamonds with hints of color that may be removed or minimized through post-growth processes.
CVD: In this more common and rapidly advancing method, carbon-containing gases (such as methane) are introduced into a heated chamber. At the right temperature and pressure, the carbon atoms bond to a diamond “seed,” growing layer by layer into a crystal. CVD can also produce stones with brownish or grayish hues, which can be treated to achieve better color.
Post-Growth Treatments—such as further heating, irradiation, or annealing—are occasionally used to enhance clarity or remove unwanted color. These processes do not make the stone any less “real” in terms of chemical composition; rather, they refine its final appearance. If you want complete transparency, certain grading labs (like IGI) detail both the growth method and any treatments used, while GIA currently omits these specifics in its lab-grown diamond reports.
Diamond Cut: The True King
When it comes to maximizing a diamond’s brilliance, cut is king—it’s the most influential of the 4Cs. A well-cut diamond allows light to reflect and refract with maximum efficiency, creating that unforgettable sparkle we all look for.
Each diamond shape (round, oval, princess, etc.) comes with its own ideal proportions, and understanding those technical details can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a preformatted filter that automatically applies the recommended table and depth percentages for each shape—plus the highest available cut grade. Essentially, with a single click, you can jump straight into a curated list of top-performing diamonds for whichever shape you prefer.
Pro Tip: Whenever possible, prioritize cut over color and clarity. Even a near-flawless diamond will look dull if the cut is subpar. So, let’s start with an ideal cut—and then fine-tune other aspects to find the perfect balance of beauty and budget.
Settings for Best Lab Diamond Cuts
Can you tell which is a lab diamond or a natural diamond?
Resale Value of Lab Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Currently, lab-grown diamonds tend to have a lower resale value than natural diamonds. Some industry experts claim the resale value of lab diamonds is effectively zero, although others argue this could improve over time as lab-grown stones become more mainstream. Realistically, you might see 15–35% of your initial investment if you sell a lab diamond on a secondhand platform like eBay, Craigslist, or OfferUp—but traditional jewelers are usually not interested in buying them back.
Example: Imagine purchasing a lab-grown diamond for $2,000. If lab diamonds become more accepted and you manage to resell it for $500, you’ve lost $1,500 (a 75% decrease). Depending on market conditions, that percentage could be a bit lower or higher, but it’s generally significant.
Natural Diamonds
Surprisingly, natural diamonds also take a substantial hit when sold in the secondary market—often in the range of 60–80% off the original purchase price. This can come as a shock to buyers who believe natural diamonds inherently hold or increase in value.
Real-World Resale Example
Let’s compare two real diamonds—one lab-grown, the other natural—both with E color and VS2 clarity around 1.50–1.51 carats:
Lab-Grown 1.51 Carat Round Diamond
- Price: $1,420
- Assumed Resale Loss: 80%
- Estimated Resale Value: $1,420 – (80% of $1,420) = $284
- Total Loss: $1,420 – $284 = $1,136
Natural 1.50 Carat Round Diamond
- Price: $9,770
- Assumed Resale Loss: 60%
- Estimated Resale Value: $9,770 – (60% of $9,770) = $3,908
- Total Loss: $9,770 – $3,908 = $5,862
Observations
- Initial Investment: The lab-grown diamond’s upfront cost is far lower ($1,420) than the natural diamond’s ($9,770).
- Absolute Loss vs. Percentage Loss:
- The lab-grown diamond loses a whopping 80% of its value, but in dollars, that’s a $1,136 drop.
- The natural diamond retains a bit more value—40%—but in real dollars, you’re still losing a substantial $5,862.
- Bottom Line: Both stones experience significant depreciation, but the upfront cost for the lab-grown stone is much more affordable. A lower initial outlay means a smaller total dollar loss, even if the percentage loss is higher.
This example highlights the reality that diamonds—whether lab-grown or natural—are typically not strong investments if you plan to sell later. However, if you’re focused primarily on owning and enjoying the beauty of a diamond rather than its future resale potential, either option can still be a wonderful choice.
Diamond clarity
Be careful when buying SI1 – SI2 grades. In fact, this is the only way you can tell the difference from a natural versus lab diamond. Lab diamonds can have long scratch like inclusions that are not common in natural stones. Below is an example of that characteristic. Click on the links to view these inclusion types to avoid.
DIAMOND SAMPLE 1 DIAMOND SAMPLE 2
Not all SI1 grades are like this but know that if the stone exhibits long scratch like inclusions, it may be best to avoid that diamond. Some Si1 will be eye clean without these blemishes and those are ideal. Vs2-VS1 grades are a better choice.
Real Photos & 360° Videos: A clarity grade alone doesn’t guarantee eye-clean status, so it’s best to actually inspect the diamond or utilize high-res imaging whenever possible.
Diamond color
Please pay close attention to color. With the IGI grading, you want to analyze color closely. Feel free to reach out to me for any questions. I will be adding a pre selected criteria to keep you safe from certain grades. But the eye test shouldn’t fail you. If a diamond doesn’t appear white to you on the screen, avoid buying. Take a look at this H color diamond round. It looks white and is safe to buy. Now compare it to this J color diamond. Pay close attention to the side angle of the diamond. The diamond color starts at the bottom tip. I would avoid this stone. Diamond shapes also need to be taken into account. Round diamonds hide color best. A diamond shape like a pear, oval and emerald needs to be a higher color.
Also remember this tip: If you are using a yellow gold or rose gold, it will change the perception of color in your diamond. A lower grade is more acceptable in yellow gold and rose gold engagement rings.
Recommended Places To Buy
For me to recommend any business, they must meet certain criteria. They must prove valuable to my clients in regards to How to buy a diamond savings and selection | EXPECT 20%-40% LOWER PRICES THAN TRADITIONAL JEWELERS |, time doing business(legitimacy), reputation, and return policy.
James Allen has the highest volume in diamond sales in the web and now have 500,000 diamonds in their inventory. They have industry leading diamond viewing technology. The ability to see your diamond more clearly than in a physical retail store is a massive plus for you. JA has incredible costumer service and have a massive Lab created diamond consisting of HPHT diamonds in their inventory. They have free shipping domestic + international - free ring resizing - no questions asked money back return 30 days - provides insurance appraisals - lifetime warranty
Blue Nile was the original online giant that opened in 1999! They have the industry-leading largest available exclusive online inventory. They have incredible prices and their images are catching up to James Allen. No questions asked money back 30 day guarantee - Free shipping - Free ring sizing - Provide insurance appraisals - Lifetime warranty - 100% future credit towards upgrades
Feel free to reach out and send me a message. Do you want buying advice on How to buy a diamond or have you found a stone you wish for me to evaluate. Feel free to drop me a line and say hello. Advice is free.