Guide
The same diamond. The same sparkle. A different story.
Lab-grown diamonds have exactly the same chemical, physical and optical properties as mined diamonds — the only difference is where they were created. Where a mined diamond formed naturally over billions of years, a lab-grown diamond is created in a laboratory under the same pressure and temperature conditions found deep within the earth.
The result is a real diamond that is graded, cut and certified to exactly the same standards as a mined stone — but without mining.
How a lab-grown diamond is created
A lab-grown diamond is not found, but created — under the same natural conditions, just in a laboratory instead of deep within the earth.
A small diamond seed
The process starts with a small piece of real diamond — a "seed" — which is placed in an advanced machine in the laboratory.
The diamond grows
Under the same high pressure and temperature conditions found deep within the earth, the diamond is built up layer by layer until it is complete.
2-8 weeks
Where a mined diamond formed over billions of years, growing a diamond in a laboratory typically takes just a few weeks.
An identical result
The result is a diamond with exactly the same crystal structure, hardness and chemical composition as a mined diamond — just created somewhere else.
Certification — your guarantee of quality
When you buy a lab-grown diamond, it always comes with an internationally recognised certificate from an independent laboratory, so you can see the stone's carat, cut, clarity and colour in black and white. The laboratory we use is:
IGI
The International Gemological Institute is today the most widely used certification specifically for lab-grown diamonds and grades all 4 Cs. The vast majority of lab-grown diamonds on the market today are sold with an IGI certificate.
How to check authenticity
Each certificate has a unique report number that you can always look up directly on IGI's own website — so you can confirm in black and white that the certificate belongs to your diamond.
See them in real life
Certified lab-grown diamonds in three of our most popular shapes.
Benefits of lab-grown
More sustainable
No mining means significantly less impact on nature — a more sustainable and ethical choice for many couples. On the other hand, production requires electricity, so the real climate footprint depends on where and how the diamond is grown.
The same quality
Graded according to the same 4 Cs as a mined diamond, and indistinguishable from it with the naked eye — only specialist equipment in a laboratory can determine its origin.
More diamond for your money
A more efficient process typically means a larger or purer diamond for the same budget than a comparable mined stone.
Is a lab-grown diamond an imitation, like cubic zirconia?
No. A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond — pure crystallised carbon, chemically and physically identical to a mined diamond. Cubic zirconia and moissanite, on the other hand, are entirely different minerals that only resemble a diamond and will never have the same hardness or sparkle.
Can you tell the difference with the naked eye?
No. Even experienced jewellers cannot tell a lab-grown diamond from a mined one without specialist equipment. Most colourless lab-grown diamonds lack measurable nitrogen entirely, which only advanced laboratory equipment can use to determine their origin.
Do lab-grown diamonds lose value?
Honestly: yes, like most diamonds — lab-grown and mined alike — bought in a shop, the resale value will typically be lower than the purchase price. If you choose a lab-grown diamond, it should therefore be because you love the stone and the story behind it, not as an investment.
Should an engagement ring cost two to three months' salary?
No — that is a misconception that originally comes from an advertising campaign by the diamond company De Beers in the USA in the 1930s and 40s. There is no "right" rule. Set the budget that feels right for you, and let that be your starting point.
Do lab-grown diamonds lose their sparkle over time?
No. Since it is chemically and physically exactly the same crystal as a mined diamond, it does not change over time. The hardness — 10 on the Mohs scale, the hardest of all natural materials — and the chemical stability are identical, regardless of origin.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
A lab-grown (laboratory-created) diamond is a real diamond that is grown under controlled conditions instead of being extracted from the earth. It has the same crystal structure and the same material (carbon) as a mined diamond, and the process typically takes weeks rather than millions of years.
Is the quality the same as a mined diamond?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are graded according to the same 4 Cs — Carat, Cut, Clarity and Colour — and cannot be distinguished from mined diamonds with the naked eye, only with specialist equipment. They are also certified by the same independent laboratories.
Why choose lab-grown?
Lab-grown diamonds typically give you more diamond for your money, and the process is more transparent to trace than many mines' supply chains. For many couples it is also a more conscious choice, without compromising on appearance or quality.
Is it more sustainable?
Comparisons typically point to significantly less impact on the landscape and lower water consumption than traditional mining, because production takes place in existing facilities rather than in open mines. The climate footprint does, however, depend on the electricity the laboratory uses — which is why traceability and certification matter if sustainability is important to you.
Does a lab-grown diamond last just as long?
Yes. Because it is chemically and physically identical to a mined diamond, it is just as hard and durable — a diamond is a diamond, no matter where it was created.
How large can lab-grown diamonds be?
Very large. The technology has become so advanced that most CVD diamonds submitted for certification today weigh over 3 carats — and the largest registered lab-grown diamond has passed 75 carats. In other words, there is no longer any practical upper limit to the size.
Are lab-grown diamonds treated after growth?
Some lab-grown diamonds are treated with heat and pressure after growth to further improve their colour. This is a recognised and common practice in the industry, and it is always stated on the diamond's certificate, so you know exactly what you are buying.
See our engagement rings
All our engagement rings are set with lab-grown diamonds.
