What to Know Before Buying Lab Grown Diamonds

In a world that increasingly values sustainability, ethics and innovation, conflict-free lab grown diamonds are emerging as a popular alternative to their naturally mined counterparts. But with new technologies and products comes questions, and here at Labgrown.Diamonds, we love nothing more than talking about these wonderful, responsible gemstones.

Whether you’re a seasoned jewellery connoisseur or a first-time buyer seeking more information, we’re here to delve deep into the science behind lab grown diamonds and advise you on what to look out for when buying lab grown diamonds online. Let’s uncover the facets of this sparkling revolution and equip you with all the insight you need to make a meaningful, informed purchase.

Yes, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds in every sense of the word. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds and they are virtually indistinguishable from their natural counterparts. They deliver the same hardness, the same impressive sparkle and arrive in the same range of cuts and shapes.

The only difference between lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds is their origin; one is created in a controlled laboratory while the other is mined from the earth. A grown diamond from Labgrown.Diamonds is just as beautiful as a natural one.

Lab grown diamonds are growing in popularity for good reason. One significant advantage is their minimal environmental impact. They reduce the need for extensive mining which is largely associated with habitat destruction and vast carbon emissions. Lab created diamonds are considered a more eco-friendly and sustainable option.

Lab grown diamonds also come with an ethical advantage. They eliminate unethical labour practices that are sometimes associated with diamond mines and the trade in conflict diamonds, also referred to as "blood diamonds." Since lab grown diamonds are created in-house by a certified laboratory, you can confidently trace their origin.

Natural diamond prices are often inflated compared to their lab grown counterpart due to their rarity and the expensive machinery required for mining. Lab created diamonds can be produced in several weeks using advanced technologies making them more accessible. This growth in supply allows them to be a more affordable alternative and is one of the many reasons customers choose lab grown diamonds when seeking beautiful, budget-friendly jewellery.

Just as you would when buying earth mined diamonds, it’s important to be aware of the 4C’s when buying lab grown diamond jewellery. These four key attributes determine the quality of the gemstone and are often reflected in the price. They include cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.

Cut- The cut of a diamond holds paramount importance as it directly influences the gemstone’s brilliance and sparkle. It does not refer to the diamond’s shape, such as round, princess or oval, but the quality of the diamond’s precision, symmetry and polish. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) rates diamond cuts on a scale from Excellent to Poor. At Labgrown.Diamonds, our aim is to deliver diamonds with an Excellent or Very Good cut.

Colour- The colour of diamond refers to exactly that, it’s colour or lack of it. Natural diamonds can sometimes be found with a subtle, yellow tint but it is completely colourless diamonds that are the most coveted. The GIA employs a letter scale to grade a diamond’s colour from D (colourless) to X (light yellow or brown). At Labgrown.Diamonds, we exclusively use colourless diamonds graded D, E, or F.

Clarity- The clarity of a diamond refers to its imperfections. Yes, even diamonds can have inclusions or blemishes. These flaws are graded under 10x magnification, spanning from Flawless (no visible imperfections) to Included (inclusions and blemishes visible to the naked eye). Flawless diamonds are highly sought after, as are those with slight inclusions falling between clarity ratings of VVS1 (Very, Very Slightly Included) and VS2 (Very Slightly Included). At Labgrown.Diamonds, all our diamond jewellery is graded with clarity rating of VVS1, VVS2, VS1, or VS2.

Carat- Finally, the most widely known feature of the diamond 4C’s is carat. This does not refer to the height or width of the gemstone, but its total weight. Carat is a unit of weight with one carat equivalent to 0.20 grams. Larger diamonds are typically more valuable, but other factors such as cut, colour, and clarity will also play a crucial role in a diamond's value.

When buying lab grown diamonds through a reputed retailer, these 4C’s will be graded and certified by an independent gemmological laboratory. The grading report or certificate is an essential document that provides detailed information about the quality and characteristics of the diamond including its carat weight, colour, cut and clarity.

Two of the best-known, most respected laboratories include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). There are other lesser-known laboratories out there, so it’s always important to check the credibility of the issuing lab when reviewing a diamond certification.

You should always ensure the diamond, whether it be a natural diamond or a lab grown diamond, comes with a certificate or grading report. This provides you with assurance about the quality and authenticity of the gemstone and may be required for insurance and ownership purposes.

The accomplished team at Labgrown.Diamonds combines more than a hundred years of collective experience in the jewellery industry, united under the reputable banner of Avanti of Ashbourne Limited, an established British jeweller. We are a respected retailer of stunning lab grown diamond jewellery, specialising in lab grown diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings, necklaces and earrings.

We believe that buying diamond jewellery should be made simple, which is why our lab grown diamonds are hand-picked by our expert in-house team of specialists. All our diamonds are colourless, sitting in the colour ranges of D, E and F, with a clarity rating between VVS1 and VS2. Every diamond is certified by an objective third-party lab and arrives with a full grading report to confirm its quality and characteristics.

Explore our extensive collection of lab grown diamond jewellery today or get in touch with our team of specialists for any assistance or advice.

Lab grown diamonds, also known as lab created diamonds, synthetic diamonds or cultured diamonds, are a popular alternative to mined diamonds. While naturally mined diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s crust over millions of years, lab diamonds are created in a laboratory setting using advanced technological processes.

There are two primary methods used to create lab grown diamonds. The first is High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) which simulates the Earth’s heat and pressure required for diamond formation. The pressure is typically in the range of 725,000 to 1.3 million pounds per square inch (50,000 to 90,000 atmospheres) and is achieved using a hydraulic press capable of exerting immense force on a small diamond seed crystal.

The other method for creating lab diamonds is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). This involves growing diamonds from a carbon-rich gas mixture. The carbon-containing gases are introduced into a vacuum container which includes a diamond seed crystal. An energy source such as microwave plasma is used to break down the carbon-containing gases into individual carbon atoms. These gradually deposit onto the surface of the diamond seed crystal allowing for the creation of larger stones.

Despite being engineered in a controlled laboratory setting, lab fabricated diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They consist of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure which creates their exceptional brilliance and hardness, as measured by the Moh’s scale.