608 5th Avenue, Third Floor · New York, NY 10020 Call Us: (212) 391-0633

READ MORE ARTICLES

Diamonds

Lab Grown Diamonds

Moissanites

Gemstones

Engagement Rings

Wedding Bands

Videos

Jewelry

Lab Grown Diamonds 101

Learn everything you need to know about lab grown diamonds and different characterstics that makes them so attractive as a natural center-stone alternative.

WHAT ARE LAB GROWN DIAMONDS ?

Lab-grown diamonds (also referred to as man-made, lab-created, or synthetic diamonds) are a popular alternative to natural, earth-mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds possess the same chemical and optical properties as their natural counterparts with the only difference being their origin and how they are created. Lab-grown diamonds are, in fact, “real” diamonds and, to quote the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), “The difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds could be compared to the difference between ice that formed outside on a winter’s day versus ice that formed inside your refrigerator."

Creation

Before we explain how lab-grown diamonds are created, it might be helpful to understand how natural diamonds are formed. While the processes are quite similar, only one takes place naturally in the Earth while the other is produced in a laboratory.

Millions, even billions, of years ago, natural diamonds started as tiny carbon atoms that existed deep down in the Earth’s crust (approx. 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface). These atoms were exposed to extreme heat and pressure which caused them to crystalize and form diamonds. Simultaneously, magma was forming close to the planet's surface expanding at rapid rates. This expansion caused the magma to ‘erupt’, forcing the crystalized carbon atoms, now diamonds, to the Earth’s surface where the diamonds can be mined.

In contrast, there are two methods for creating lab-grown diamonds: High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The method used to create a lab-grown diamond is stated on the grading report. There is no conclusive evidence as to one approach being superior to the other as the finished products will look identical to the naked eye.

  • The HPHT Method

    is most similar to how natural diamonds are grown in that an environment is created where extreme heat (up to 2200°F) and extreme pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch) are applied to a carbon seed.  After a careful cooling process, pure carbon forms around the original seed which is then used as the rough diamond. In total, this process can take several days to weeks depending on the size of the diamond being created

  • Chemical Vapor Deposition(CVD)

    diamonds are made under less intense conditions and in a slower developing process taking around 6 to 12 weeks. A small diamond seed is placed inside a sealed chamber and subjected to intense heat, sometimes reaching 1500°F. Hydrogen and methane are introduced to the chamber and then ionized to break down molecular bonds thus causing a pure carbon atom to attach itself to the seed. As the carbon builds, it forms atomic bonds with the diamond seed creating one, larger diamond.

Durability & Appearance

Because lab-created diamonds have the same chemical and visual characteristics as natural diamonds, they also possess all the same attributes that make natural diamonds highly sought after for both jewelry and industrial use. The hardness of a lab-grown diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs scale making it the most durable gemstone while also having a high refractive index giving it a beautiful sparkle—exactly like a natural diamond. Lab-grown diamonds can be cut in every same shape that natural diamonds can; from round and oval down to heart and marquise. For these reasons, lab-grown diamonds make beautiful options as the center-stone for engagement rings.

The 4 C’s of Lab Grown Diamonds:

Lab-grown diamonds are graded on the same scale as their natural counterparts and have a similar spectrum of colors, inclusions, cuts, and sizes.

    • Color:

      During the growth process, color can be introduced to the lab-grown diamond which will give it a tint of yellow or brown and will negatively impact its color grade. The more colorless the diamond the more desirable it is and those in the D-H color range are most popular for lab-grown diamonds. With natural diamonds, there is more willingness to explore lower color ranges due to the higher costs associated with natural stones.

    • Clarity:

      Inclusions are imperfections that form within a diamond during its growth process; the same occurs for both lab-grown and natural diamonds. These inclusions can vary in synthetic diamonds based on the method used to grow them and can also help differentiate between the types of formation (natural or lab-grown). For both HPHT and CVD diamonds, there are outside elements used as catalysts to help grow the diamond. During this process, any of the catalysts can become trapped within the diamond's structure and become inclusions. For the most part, GIA identifies all inclusions within lab-grown diamonds as “Growth Remnants” regardless of the inclusion’s shape or size. As with natural diamonds, lab-grown can also have feathers which are surface-reaching inclusions that occur during the cutting process.

    • Cut:

      Identical to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished to maximize sparkle and brilliance. A cut grade is only assessed for round brilliant finishes as it can be quantified based on its angles, proportions, and measurements. Fancy shapes (non-rounds) are based on their visual appearance and a wider range of factors.  Parallel to natural diamonds, there are premium cut cushions and radiants that have sharper facets on the pavilion and less hidden weight underneath to give them a brilliant appearance. There can also be variations in length-to-width ratios for all shapes so selecting the right one for you is based solely on preference.

    • Carat:

      Diamonds are measured in carats which is simply how much the stone weighs once placed on a scale. The carat weight of a diamond is only an indication of how large it will look. The cut of the stone and its depth/proportions will also impact its face-up appearance.

Grading:

Lab-grown diamonds come with independent grading reports verifying their quality and authenticity. We offer reports from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or through VeraLume™, an advanced grading standard available exclusively on select stones.
IGI reports are available upon request only and are not part of our stocked selection, as their grading methods can be less consistent with the strict standards we maintain.
VeraLume™ goes beyond the traditional 4 C’s by introducing Color Tone, Growth Lines, and Visual Performance — providing a deeper and more transparent understanding of a diamond’s overall beauty and structure.

GIA Logo
Veralume Logo

GIA & VeraLume Grading:

GIA remains the global benchmark for grading natural diamonds, and all Lauren B natural diamonds continue to be certified by GIA.
For lab-grown diamonds, select stones are evaluated through VeraLume™, which upholds the same level of precision as GIA while expanding the evaluation criteria to include subtle Color Tone variations, internal Growth Lines, and overall Visual Performance. This provides an added layer of insight that helps clients better understand the visual and structural qualities of each diamond.

Beyond the 4C’s

VeraLume’s grading system goes beyond the 4c’s, Each Veralume grading report includes additional factors such as color tone variations, internal Growth Lines, and overall visual performance.

Color Tone:

Subtle undertones are carefully identified, even in colorless grades, to ensure accurate evaluation. Veralume’s Color Tone Scale includes:

Pure: Crisp white, no undertone

Brown: Warm undertone, may soften brilliance

Gray: Cool undertone, can mute sparkle

Blue: Rare undertone, sometimes perceived as icy

pure
Brown TINT
Grey TINT
Blue TINT
Growth Lines:

Formed during the lab-creation process, growth lines can reduce transparency and sparkle. Veralume evaluates and clearly discloses their presence.

Growth Line Scale:

None: No visible lines under 10x magnification

Slight: Faint, minor effect face-up

Moderate: Noticeable, may reduce transparency/ sparkle

Distinct: Prominent, reduces brilliance and effects beauty

None Diamond Without Growth Lines
Slight Diamond With Slight Growth Lines
Moderate Diamond With Moderate Growth Lines
Distinct Diamond With Distinct Growth Lines
Visual Performance:

Visual Performance scores reflecting brilliance, fire, and face-up beauty. It is calculated through a multi-factor analysis of cut precision, polish, symmetry, light behavior, and structural clarity.

EXCELLENT
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor

Identifying Lab Grown Diamonds

Because lab-grown and natural diamonds share the same physical and optical properties, it is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to tell them apart. Specialized equipment or gemologists can sometimes identify internal growth patterns or trace elements, but the most reliable method is through a trusted grading report.
Lauren B discloses the origin of every diamond and provides grading reports only from recognized authorities such as GIA or VeraLume™.

Price & Value

This is perhaps the most questioned aspect of lab-grown diamonds since they are a relatively new phenomenon in the jewelry industry. While demand for these man-made gems has been increasing, the technology for creating them has been evolving at a faster pace to make them more efficiently, which has caused an increase in the supply versus the demand. As with any surplus of goods, this has caused the price to steadily decline over the past few years.

Compared to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are generally priced at discounts of 50-70%, depending on the size of the stone. At the time of this article, the gap between the two is widening as natural diamond prices are on the rise while lab-grown diamonds, which are showing signs of steadying, have been edging lower. Similarities between the two types of diamonds include exponential pricing (the price-per-carat increasing as carat weight increases) and premium pricing for higher quality stones (colorless and VS clarity as well as cut stones) As an example a 2 carat colorless/VS clarity natural diamond could be $20,000 while a lab-grown diamond with the same specifications can be around $8,000

Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond:

There are many reasons someone may choose a lab-grown diamond as the center stone for their engagement ring. They possess the same beauty and durability as natural diamonds and are available at a more accessible price point.
At Lauren B, we offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds as center-stone options. Every diamond we sell is thoroughly inspected for its origin, quality, and face-up beauty. Select lab-grown diamonds feature VeraLume™ grading, which goes beyond the traditional 4 C’s to deliver greater detail, accuracy, and transparency.

Education