Flawless. Ethical. Identical to the real thing, because it is the real thing.
Lab grown diamonds are one of the most exciting shifts in fine jewelry in decades. But what exactly are they? Are they real diamonds? Are they worth buying? And why are more and more luxury jewelry lovers choosing them?
This guide answers every question, beautifully, honestly, and completely.
✦ What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond, also called a lab created diamond, synthetic diamond, or cultured diamond is a real diamond, grown in a controlled laboratory environment rather than mined from the earth.
It has the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same optical properties, and the same physical hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) as a mined diamond.
"A lab grown diamond is not a simulant. It is not cubic zirconia. It is not moissanite. It is a diamond — grown above ground."
Even the world's most advanced gemological labs cannot distinguish a lab grown diamond from a mined one without specialized equipment.
✦ How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
1. HPHT - High Pressure High Temperature
This method replicates the natural conditions deep within the Earth. A small diamond seed is placed in carbon and exposed to extreme pressure (around 1.5 million PSI) and heat (over 1,400°C). The carbon crystallizes around the seed, forming a diamond.
2. CVD - Chemical Vapor Deposition
A diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is ionized into plasma, causing carbon atoms to bond to the seed layer by layer, growing a diamond from the top down. CVD is the most widely used method today and produces exceptionally pure, gem-quality stones.
Both processes take weeks to months, compared to billions of years underground.
✦ Lab Grown vs. Mined Diamonds: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Lab Grown Diamond | Mined Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical composition | 100% carbon ✓ | 100% carbon ✓ |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 ✓ | 10 ✓ |
| Origin | Laboratory | Earth's mantle |
| Environmental impact | Significantly lower | High (land disruption, water use) |
| Price | 50–80% less | Premium pricing |
| Certification | GIA, IGI certified ✓ | GIA, AGS certified ✓ |
✦ Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes. Unequivocally.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officially recognizes lab grown diamonds as real diamonds. The GIA grades and certifies them using the same 4Cs, Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat as mined diamonds.
The only difference is their origin story.
✦ Why Are People Choosing Lab Grown Diamonds?
1. Ethical Sourcing
Lab grown diamonds are conflict-free by nature. There is no mining, no displacement of communities, no risk of funding armed conflict. For the conscious luxury buyer, this matters deeply.
2. Environmental Responsibility
Diamond mining moves hundreds of millions of tons of earth annually. Lab grown diamonds require a fraction of the land and water, with a significantly smaller carbon footprint, especially when produced with renewable energy.
3. Exceptional Value
Lab grown diamonds typically cost 50–80% less than mined diamonds of equivalent quality. This means you can choose a larger stone, a higher clarity grade, or a more intricate setting without compromise.
4. Identical Beauty
They sparkle the same. They refract light the same. They are graded the same. The woman wearing a lab grown diamond solitaire is wearing a diamond, full stop.
✦ The 4Cs of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Cut — The most important factor. Determines brilliance and sparkle.
- Color — Graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). D–F is considered exceptional.
- Clarity — Measures internal inclusions. FL (Flawless) to I3.
- Carat — The weight of the diamond. 1 carat = 0.2 grams.
Always look for a certified lab grown diamond, IGI and GIA are the most trusted grading laboratories.
✦ Do Lab Grown Diamonds Hold Their Value?
This is the most honest answer we can give: lab grown diamonds are not investment assets and neither are most mined diamonds, despite the marketing.
What lab grown diamonds offer is exceptional beauty at a fraction of the cost. The value is in the experience of wearing fine jewelry, not in resale speculation.
✦ How to Choose a Lab Grown Diamond
- Always buy certified — look for IGI or GIA certification.
- Prioritize Cut above all other factors — it determines brilliance.
- Choose Color D–G for a visually colorless appearance.
- Choose Clarity VS2 or above for eye-clean stones.
- Work with a jeweler who is transparent about origin and grading.
✦ Lab Grown Diamonds at Guerilla Choice
At Guerilla Choice, we believe that luxury should never come at the cost of your values. Our lab grown diamond jewelry is crafted with the same precision, care, and aesthetic vision as the finest mined diamond pieces, because the diamond itself is just as real.
Every piece is certified. Every stone is selected for exceptional cut and brilliance. Every design is made to be worn, loved, and passed down.
Explore our lab grown diamond collection →
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab grown diamonds the same as cubic zirconia?
No. Cubic zirconia is a diamond simulant made from zirconium oxide, a completely different material. Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds.
Can a jeweler tell the difference?
Not with the naked eye. Even experienced gemologists require specialized equipment to detect the difference and only because lab grown diamonds are often too perfect.
Are lab grown diamonds graded?
Yes. IGI and GIA both grade and certify lab grown diamonds using the same 4Cs system.
Do lab grown diamonds come in fancy colors?
Yes. Pink, blue, yellow, and green lab grown diamonds are available, often at a fraction of the cost of their natural colored counterparts.
Are lab grown diamonds sustainable?
They have a significantly lower environmental footprint than mined diamonds, particularly when produced using renewable energy sources.
