Everything You Need to Know About Lab Grown Diamonds
We believe modern luxury should be as conscious as it is beautiful. Lab grown diamonds offer the same brilliance, durability, and fire as natural diamonds — with a story that reflects the values of today. This guide explains what lab grown diamonds are, how they are graded, and how to choose the one that is right for you.
1. What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are made of pure carbon, crystallized in the same isotropic 3D lattice structure as natural diamonds. They share the same chemical, physical, and optical properties — the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same way they bend light, and the same fire.
The only difference between lab grown and natural diamonds is their origin. Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth over billions of years under extreme heat and pressure. Lab grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments that replicate those same natural conditions, producing sparkling stones in a matter of weeks or months.
Even trained gemologists cannot distinguish a lab grown diamond from a natural one with the naked eye. Specialized screening equipment is required to determine origin.
Lab grown diamonds are not diamond simulants. They are not cubic zirconia or moissanite. Those are different materials entirely. Lab grown diamonds are genuine diamonds — just created above ground rather than below it.
2. How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Created?
There are two primary methods used to create lab grown diamonds:
HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature) replicates the conditions deep within the Earth's mantle, using extreme pressure and heat to crystallize carbon into diamond.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) grows diamonds from a carbon-rich plasma gas inside a vacuum chamber, atom by atom, onto a diamond seed.
Both methods produce genuine diamonds with identical properties. The choice of method does not affect the quality or beauty of the finished stone — what matters is the final 4Cs grade.
3. Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: What's the Same, What's Different
What's the same:
Chemical composition: both are pure carbon
Crystal structure: identical isotropic 3D lattice
Hardness: both rank 10 on the Mohs scale
Optical performance: the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation
Grading standards: both are evaluated using the same 4Cs
Durability: both take daily wear without scratching
What's different:
Origin: natural diamonds are mined; lab grown diamonds are created in a laboratory
Time: natural diamonds form over billions of years; lab grown diamonds grow in weeks
Price: lab grown diamonds typically cost 60–80% less than natural diamonds of comparable quality
Supply: lab grown diamonds can be produced in abundance, while natural diamonds are genuinely finite
Resale value: natural diamonds hold a little more at resale due to finite supply; lab grown diamonds have low resale value as production has scaled
4. The 4Cs of Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are graded using the same 4Cs system as natural diamonds — Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.
Cut is the most important factor. It determines how well the diamond interacts with light and how brilliantly it sparkles. Look for Excellent or Very Good cut grades.
Color ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). The closer to D, the whiter the diamond. For lab grown diamonds, D–F color is common and offers exceptional value, since lab grown production yields a high proportion of colorless stones.
Clarity reflects the presence of inclusions. Lab grown diamonds often have fewer inclusions than natural stones because they are created under controlled conditions. VS1–VS2 offers an excellent balance of quality and value, and VVS clarity is widely available in lab grown diamonds at accessible prices.
Carat measures weight, not size. A well-cut smaller diamond can often appear larger and brighter than a poorly cut larger one.
5. Understanding Certification: IGI vs. GIA
Certification is your assurance of quality and authenticity. For lab grown diamonds, the two most recognized grading authorities are IGI (International Gemological Institute) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
IGI has been the market leader in lab grown diamond certification. IGI began grading lab grown diamonds in 2005 and today accounts for the majority of lab grown diamond certifications globally. IGI reports are color-coded yellow to distinguish them from natural diamond certificates, and the diamonds are laser-inscribed with a unique report number and the words “lab grown” on the girdle, offering easy traceability.
GIA is widely considered the gold standard in diamond grading, especially for natural diamonds. However, GIA has recently updated its approach to lab grown diamonds. As of October 2025, GIA no longer uses the traditional D-to-Z nomenclature for lab grown diamonds. Instead, it uses descriptive terms — “Premium” or “Standard” — based on an overall assessment of clarity, color, and cut. Diamonds must meet minimum criteria (Clarity VS or higher, Color E–J, Polish Very Good, Symmetry Very Good) to receive a GIA assessment.
What this means for you as a buyer:
A GIA “Premium” assessment signifies exceptional quality. An IGI report provides detailed 4Cs grading in the format most buyers are familiar with. At LUCERARO, every diamond comes with an independent grading report, so you can buy with confidence knowing exactly what you are getting.
6. Price: What You Can Expect
Lab grown diamond prices have fallen dramatically as production has scaled. In 2025, the average retail price of a 1-carat lab grown diamond was around $1,000 or less**, compared to approximately **$4,200 for a natural 1-carat diamond of comparable quality. The wholesale price for a 1-carat round near-colorless VS1 lab grown diamond has fallen by approximately 95% when compared to 2018.
Typical retail price ranges (2025):
Carat Weight Lab Grown (approx.) Natural (approx.)
1.0 ct $600–$1,000 $3,000–$6,000
1.5 ct $800–$2,000 $6,000–$12,000
2.0 ct $1,500–$4,000 $10,000–$25,000
Prices vary based on the 4Cs and market conditions. These figures are for reference only.
Because lab grown diamonds cost significantly less, the same budget that buys a smaller natural diamond can buy a larger, higher-quality lab grown diamond — more carat weight, better color, better clarity, or a combination of all three.
7. The Resale Value Question
It is important to be transparent: lab grown diamonds have low resale value. This is not a flaw — it is a natural consequence of their production. Lab grown diamonds can be produced in abundance, so their prices have declined as technology has improved and production has scaled.
If resale value is a priority for you, natural diamonds have the edge because their supply is genuinely finite. But if you are buying a diamond to wear and treasure — not as an investment — this difference is mostly on paper. Lab grown diamonds offer exceptional beauty and value for the wearer.
8. Ethics and Sustainability
Lab grown diamonds avoid traditional mining. There is no mine, no risk of funding conflict, and the supply chain is easier to trace.
However, it is fair to call lab grown diamonds lower-impact rather than impact-free. Growing a diamond requires real energy, and a stone grown on a coal-heavy grid is not as green as some marketing suggests. Mining carries a heavier land and water footprint. Neither option is spotless — but lab grown diamonds are simply easier to buy with a clear conscience.
At LUCERARO, we are committed to transparency about our production processes and the energy sources used to create our diamonds.
9. How to Choose Your Lab Grown Diamond
Start with cut. Cut has the greatest impact on how a diamond looks. Choose Excellent or Very Good. Do not compromise here.
Choose your color. For lab grown diamonds, D–F is widely available and offers excellent value. G–H is also a great choice if you want to put more budget toward size.
Select your clarity. VS1–VS2 is the sweet spot for most buyers — eye-clean and beautiful. VVS clarity is also accessible in lab grown diamonds and offers extra assurance of quality.
Choose your carat. Because lab grown diamonds cost less, you can afford a larger stone. Consider just-under-threshold weights — 0.90ct instead of 1.00ct, or 1.90ct instead of 2.00ct — for extra savings with virtually no visible difference.
Verify certification. Ensure your diamond comes with a grading report from IGI or GIA. The report number should be laser-inscribed on the diamond's girdle.
Consider fancy shapes. Oval is currently the most popular shape for lab grown diamonds, followed by round, cushion, and emerald. Fancy shapes often appear larger per carat than round brilliants.
10. Your LUCERARO Buying Checklist
Cut: Excellent or Very Good — the most important factor
Color: D–F for maximum whiteness, or G–H for great value
Clarity: VS1–VS2 or VVS — eye-clean and beautiful
Carat: Choose the largest size your budget allows within your quality parameters
Certification: IGI or GIA grading report included
Polish & Symmetry: Excellent or Very Good
Shape: Choose what you love — oval and round are most popular
Setting: Select a style that complements the diamond and your personal taste
11. Caring for Your Lab Grown Diamond
Lab grown diamonds are diamonds — they rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and are exceptionally durable. With proper care, their brilliance will last a lifetime.
Clean regularly with a soft brush and mild soap in warm water, or use a professional ultrasonic cleaner
Store separately in a soft pouch or jewelry box to prevent scratches from other jewelry
Avoid harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bleach, which can damage the metal setting over time
Inspect the setting periodically to ensure the diamond is secure. LUCERARO offers complimentary inspections and cleaning
For more detailed guidance, visit our Jewelry Care Guide.
12. The LUCERARO Promise
Every LUCERARO lab grown diamond is a real diamond — created with intention, graded with integrity, and selected for its beauty. We believe that choosing a lab grown diamond is a modern choice that does not compromise on brilliance, quality, or meaning.
Questions? Our diamond specialists are here to help you find the perfect stone. Contact us at service@luceraro.com — we are happy to assist you at every step of your journey.