What are lab grown diamonds?

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds? The Complete Guide

Lab-grown diamonds have transformed the modern diamond industry, giving buyers another way to purchase a real diamond for jewellery. But what exactly is a lab-grown diamond? How is it made? Is it a real diamond? How is it different from a natural diamond? And is it worth buying?

This complete guide from Natures Diamond answers these questions and explains everything you need to know before buying a lab-grown diamond in India.

Quick answer: A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond created using advanced technology in a controlled laboratory environment rather than being formed naturally deep inside the Earth. Lab-grown diamonds have the same fundamental chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds and can be graded for the same key quality characteristics, while their primary difference is their origin.

What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

A lab-grown diamond, also called a laboratory-grown or laboratory-created diamond, is a diamond produced in a controlled technological environment.

Unlike a natural diamond, which forms naturally over geological timescales deep within the Earth, a lab-grown diamond is created using advanced diamond-growth technology.

The two principal technologies used to grow gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds are:

CVD — Chemical Vapor Deposition
HPHT — High Pressure High Temperature

Both methods begin with a diamond seed and use controlled conditions to allow carbon to crystallise into diamond.

The resulting material is diamond—not cubic zirconia, glass or another diamond imitation.

That distinction is important.

Lab-grown diamond vs diamond simulant

A diamond simulant is a different material that resembles a diamond but does not have the same chemical and physical properties.

Examples include:

Cubic zirconia
Moissanite

Lab-grown diamonds are different because they are diamond material produced through a laboratory growth process. GIA notes that lab-grown diamonds are not diamond simulants and have physical and chemical properties that correspond very closely to natural diamonds.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds.

This is one of the most common questions asked by people considering lab-grown diamond jewellery.

A laboratory-grown diamond has the characteristic diamond crystal structure and is composed of carbon, just like a natural diamond. The important distinction is how and where the diamond formed.

Natural diamond

A natural diamond forms through geological processes inside the Earth.

Lab-grown diamond

A lab-grown diamond is grown using controlled technology in a laboratory or manufacturing facility.

Therefore, "lab-grown" describes the origin of the diamond, not a different type of gemstone.

GIA explains that although laboratory-grown diamonds are produced in factories, their chemical and physical properties correspond very closely to those of natural diamonds.

How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Made?

There are two primary methods used to produce gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds:

1. CVD Diamonds

CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition.

In the CVD process, diamond seed plates are placed inside a controlled vacuum chamber containing a carbon-containing gas, such as methane.

The gas is activated using energy, causing carbon-containing molecules to break down. Carbon atoms then deposit onto the diamond seed and gradually form additional layers of diamond.

The diamond grows progressively until the desired crystal size is achieved.

CVD growth generally occurs at lower pressures than HPHT and can take several weeks depending on the size and production conditions.

Simplified CVD process

Diamond seed → Vacuum chamber → Carbon-containing gas → Energy activation → Carbon deposition → Diamond crystal → Cutting & polishing

2. HPHT Diamonds

HPHT stands for High Pressure High Temperature.

The HPHT method recreates some of the high-pressure and high-temperature conditions associated with natural diamond formation.

A diamond seed is placed in a growth chamber together with a carbon source and other materials used during the growth process.

Extremely high pressure and temperature allow carbon to dissolve and crystallise around the diamond seed.

According to GIA, HPHT diamond growth can involve pressures of approximately 5–6 GPa and temperatures of around 1300–1600°C.

Simplified HPHT process

Diamond seed → Carbon source → High pressure + high temperature → Crystal growth → Cutting & polishing

CVD vs HPHT: What Is the Difference?

Both CVD and HPHT can produce gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds, but the growth processes are different.

Feature CVD HPHT
Full form Chemical Vapor Deposition High Pressure High Temperature
Starting point Diamond seed Diamond seed + carbon source
Main environment Controlled vacuum chamber High-pressure growth chamber
Growth mechanism Carbon deposits layer by layer Carbon crystallises under high pressure and temperature
Can produce gem-quality diamonds? Yes Yes
Used for jewellery? Yes Yes

There is no simple rule that says "CVD is always better" or "HPHT is always better."

The quality of an individual diamond depends on factors such as colour, clarity, cut, carat weight, growth history, treatments and grading—not simply whether it was grown by CVD or HPHT.

GIA identifies both CVD and HPHT as established methods for producing laboratory-grown diamonds.

Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds

The biggest difference between the two is their origin.

Factor Lab-Grown Diamond Natural Diamond
Origin Created using controlled technology Formed naturally inside the Earth
Main composition Carbon Carbon
Crystal structure Diamond Diamond
Available shapes Many Many
Available colours Many Many
Can be used in jewellery? Yes Yes
Can be graded? Yes Yes
Main difference Laboratory origin Geological origin

A lab-grown diamond should therefore not be thought of as a "fake diamond."

The more useful question is:

Which type of diamond is right for you—lab-grown or natural?

That depends on your preferences, budget, values and what you want from your purchase.

Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Look Like Natural Diamonds?

To the unaided eye, a high-quality lab-grown diamond can look like a natural diamond.

Both can exhibit the brilliance, fire and scintillation associated with diamond.

However, laboratory-grown diamonds have distinctive growth characteristics that specialised gemological equipment can identify. GIA notes that some laboratory-grown diamonds can be difficult to identify using basic gem-testing equipment and may require advanced testing.

This is one reason why proper disclosure and reliable grading documentation are important when buying a diamond.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds as Hard as Natural Diamonds?

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring mineral, and lab-grown diamonds are diamond material with the same fundamental crystal structure.

This makes lab-grown diamonds suitable for jewellery, including pieces intended for regular wear.

However, hardness does not mean indestructibility.

A diamond can still chip or be damaged under certain conditions, particularly around vulnerable points or edges. Good jewellery care is therefore important whether the diamond is laboratory-grown or natural.

Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Sparkle?

Yes.

The sparkle of a diamond depends heavily on factors such as:

Cut quality
Proportions
Faceting
Polish
Symmetry
Colour
Clarity
Lighting conditions

A well-cut lab-grown diamond can display excellent brilliance and fire.

When choosing between diamonds, it is therefore better to evaluate the individual stone rather than assuming that its laboratory origin determines its appearance.

What Are the 4Cs of a Lab-Grown Diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds can be evaluated using the familiar diamond quality characteristics known as the 4Cs:

1. Carat

Carat refers to the diamond's weight.

It does not directly mean the physical size of the diamond.

2. Colour

For colourless diamonds, grading commonly ranges from D through Z, with D representing the highest colour grade in the standard scale.

3. Clarity

Clarity refers to the presence of internal characteristics and surface features.

Common clarity grades include:

FL
IF
VVS
VS
SI
I
4. Cut

Cut evaluates how effectively a diamond's proportions and facets interact with light.

For a round brilliant diamond, cut quality can have a major influence on its visual performance.

Which C should you prioritize?

There is no single answer for everyone.

For many buyers, the best approach is to find a balance between cut, colour, clarity and carat weight that delivers the appearance they want within their budget.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Cheaper Than Natural Diamonds?

Generally, lab-grown diamonds are priced lower than comparable natural diamonds.

However, there is no single fixed percentage difference.

Prices can vary considerably depending on:

Carat weight
Shape
Colour
Clarity
Cut
Certification or grading documentation
Growth method
Treatments
Market conditions
Jewellery design
Gold purity
Making charges

This is why two diamonds with the same carat weight can have very different prices.

For an accurate comparison, compare diamonds with similar specifications, rather than comparing carat weight alone.

Why Are Lab-Grown Diamonds More Affordable?

Natural diamonds require geological formation, exploration, extraction and processing through a mining-based supply chain.

Lab-grown diamonds are produced through controlled technological processes.

The economics of production and the supply dynamics of the two markets are different, which contributes to the difference in pricing.

Importantly, a lower price does not mean that a lab-grown diamond is a fake gemstone.

It primarily reflects differences in origin, production and market economics.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Environmentally Friendly?

This question deserves a careful answer.

Lab-grown diamonds avoid the need to extract the diamond itself through conventional mining, but laboratory production still requires energy and other resources.

Therefore, it is better to avoid describing every lab-grown diamond as having zero environmental impact.

The environmental profile of a laboratory-grown diamond can depend on factors including:

Energy source
Electricity consumption
Production technology
Manufacturing location
Production efficiency
Cutting and polishing
Transportation

For consumers who are particularly concerned about sustainability, asking about the production practices and energy sources behind the diamond is a more meaningful approach than relying solely on the label "lab-grown."

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Ethical?

Lab-grown diamonds can be attractive to buyers who prefer a diamond that is produced in a controlled environment rather than extracted through conventional mining.

However, "ethical" can mean different things to different people.

When evaluating the ethical credentials of a diamond, consider the entire supply chain, including:

Diamond origin
Manufacturing practices
Labour conditions
Environmental practices
Transparency
Certification and disclosure

A trustworthy jewellery purchase should provide clear information about what you are buying.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Certified?

Laboratory-grown diamonds can be submitted to gemological laboratories for grading and identification.

A grading report can provide information about characteristics such as:

Carat weight
Colour
Clarity
Measurements
Cut-related information where applicable
Laboratory-grown origin
Growth method or other identifying information, depending on the laboratory and report type

For example, GIA's laboratory-grown diamond reports identify the stone as laboratory-grown and can state whether it was created using CVD or HPHT.

When purchasing a diamond, always check what documentation is supplied with the specific stone you are considering.

How Can You Tell if a Diamond Is Lab-Grown?

You generally should not rely on visual inspection alone.

A high-quality laboratory-grown diamond can look very similar to a natural diamond to the unaided eye.

Specialised gemological testing can identify laboratory-grown diamonds based on their growth characteristics.

Depending on the stone, advanced instruments and laboratory analysis may be required.

For this reason, buyers should purchase from a reputable jewellery business and check the available grading documentation and product information.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Good for Engagement Rings?

Yes.

Lab-grown diamonds can be used in engagement rings in the same way as natural diamonds.

They are available in many:

Carat weights
Shapes
Colours
Clarities
Cuts
Settings

This gives couples flexibility when designing an engagement ring.

For example, instead of spending the entire budget on a smaller natural diamond, a couple may choose a larger or higher-specification laboratory-grown diamond while keeping the overall jewellery budget within their preferred range.

The right choice ultimately depends on your priorities.

What Is the Best Lab-Grown Diamond to Buy?

There is no single "best" lab-grown diamond.

The best diamond is the one that provides the combination of:

Appearance + quality + documentation + price + personal preference

For an engagement ring, you may want to prioritize:

Excellent cut and visual performance
A colour grade appropriate for your chosen metal
Eye-clean clarity
The carat size you prefer
A shape that suits your style
Reliable grading documentation
A reputable jewellery retailer

You do not necessarily need to purchase the highest grade in every category.

A well-balanced diamond can often provide better value than simply choosing the highest possible colour and clarity grades.

How to Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond

Before purchasing, compare the following:

Step 1: Decide your budget

Set a total budget for the complete jewellery piece—not just the loose diamond.

Step 2: Choose the diamond shape

Consider round, oval, emerald, pear, princess, cushion, radiant, marquise and other shapes.

Step 3: Choose the carat size

Think about the visual size you want rather than focusing only on the carat number.

Step 4: Compare colour

Consider the diamond colour grade together with the colour of your jewellery metal.

Step 5: Compare clarity

Look for a clarity level that gives you the appearance you want without unnecessarily paying for grades that may not make a visible difference.

Step 6: Prioritize cut

For diamonds where a formal cut grade is applicable, cut quality can have a major impact on brilliance.

Step 7: Check documentation

Review the available grading report and diamond details.

Step 8: Compare the complete jewellery price

Remember that the final price of jewellery includes more than the diamond itself. Gold, design, making charges, setting and other factors can affect the final price.

Why Choose Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery?

For many modern jewellery buyers, lab-grown diamonds offer an appealing combination of:

Diamond material
Modern production technology
Wide selection of sizes and shapes
Flexible design possibilities
Lower prices than many comparable natural diamonds
Choice for buyers who prefer laboratory-grown origin

At Natures Diamond, lab-grown diamonds are used to create modern and timeless jewellery designs, including rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and other jewellery pieces.

Explore the [lab-grown diamond jewellery collection from Natures Diamond].

Lab-Grown Diamonds in India

India has become an important centre for the laboratory-grown diamond industry, including diamond growth, cutting and polishing.

GIA research has documented substantial CVD laboratory-grown diamond production in India and notes the country's important role in the global laboratory-grown diamond industry.

For Indian consumers, this has made laboratory-grown diamonds increasingly accessible through jewellery retailers and manufacturers.

When buying in India, look beyond the headline price and compare:

Diamond specifications
Grading documentation
Gold purity
Jewellery weight
Making charges
GST
Exchange/buyback terms
Warranty or service terms
Retailer's reputation
Lab-Grown Diamonds in Kolkata

For customers in Kolkata, buying from a jewellery business that allows you to understand the diamond and jewellery specifications before purchasing can make the buying experience easier.

Natures Diamond provides lab-grown diamond jewellery for customers looking for contemporary and classic diamond designs.

If you are looking for a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, solitaire, earrings, pendant, bracelet or other diamond jewellery, you can explore the Natures Diamond collection online or visit the showroom.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Worth Buying?

For many buyers, yes—but the answer depends on what you value.

A lab-grown diamond can be a compelling choice if you want:

A real diamond
A larger diamond within a particular budget
More flexibility in diamond specifications
Contemporary jewellery designs
Laboratory-grown origin

A natural diamond may be more appropriate for someone who specifically values geological origin, natural rarity or the traditional diamond market.

Neither choice is universally "better."

The best decision is the one that matches your budget, priorities and reasons for buying the jewellery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds real?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds created using laboratory growth technology. They have the fundamental diamond crystal structure and are not diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia or moissanite.

Are lab-grown diamonds fake?

No. Lab-grown diamonds are not fake diamonds. They are diamonds produced through controlled laboratory processes rather than geological processes.

Are lab-grown diamonds the same as natural diamonds?

They share the fundamental chemical and physical characteristics of diamond, but they differ in origin. Natural diamonds form naturally inside the Earth, while lab-grown diamonds are produced using CVD or HPHT technology.

Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper?

Generally, yes. Comparable lab-grown diamonds are usually priced lower than natural diamonds, although the actual difference depends on the individual diamond and market conditions.

Do lab-grown diamonds sparkle?

Yes. A well-cut lab-grown diamond can have excellent brilliance, fire and scintillation. The visual performance depends heavily on the diamond's cut and proportions.

Can you tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural diamond by looking at it?

Not reliably. Identification may require specialised gemological testing because laboratory-grown diamonds can look very similar to natural diamonds.

Are lab-grown diamonds good for engagement rings?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds can be used in engagement rings and are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and clarities.

What are CVD and HPHT diamonds?

CVD stands for Chemical Vapor Deposition, while HPHT stands for High Pressure High Temperature. They are two principal technologies used to grow gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds.

Are lab-grown diamonds certified?

Laboratory-grown diamonds can receive grading reports from gemological laboratories. The report can provide information about the diamond's characteristics and laboratory-grown origin.

Should I buy a lab-grown or natural diamond?

There is no universal answer. Compare origin, price, diamond quality, documentation, personal preferences and your intended use before deciding.

Final Thoughts

Lab-grown diamonds have changed the way consumers can think about buying diamond jewellery.

They are real diamonds, produced through advanced technologies such as CVD and HPHT rather than formed naturally inside the Earth. They offer buyers another option across a wide range of shapes, sizes and quality grades.

The most important thing is not simply choosing "lab-grown" or "natural." It is understanding what you are buying, how the diamond was produced, how it was graded, what you are paying for and whether it matches your priorities.

At Natures Diamond, our focus is on helping customers discover modern lab-grown diamond jewellery with the information needed to make a confident purchase.

Explore Natures Diamond's lab-grown diamond jewellery collection and find a piece that fits your style, occasion and budget.

Key Takeaways
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, not diamond simulants.
They are primarily produced using CVD or HPHT technology.
Their fundamental diamond properties closely correspond to those of natural diamonds.
The biggest distinction between lab-grown and natural diamonds is origin.
Lab-grown diamonds are generally more affordable than comparable natural diamonds.
Diamond quality should be evaluated using characteristics such as carat, colour, clarity and cut.
Proper grading documentation and disclosure are important when buying a diamond.
There is no universally "best" diamond—the right choice depends on your budget and priorities.
Lab-grown diamonds can be an excellent option for engagement rings and everyday jewellery.
Buyers should compare the complete jewellery price and specifications, not just the diamond's carat weight.