What are lab-grown diamonds?

'Lab grown diamonds? Aren't those fake diamonds?' This is a statement I often hear, but is it true? The answer is no. The word 'fake' means something that is an imitation, like plastic flowers or toy jewelry. Lab-grown or synthetic diamonds are not imitations. They are real diamonds, but made in a laboratory instead of deep within the earth.

Lab-grown diamonds are available at various jewelers (Siebel jewelers, Pandora) and goldsmiths. I am increasingly seeing confusion arise regarding the term lab-grown diamond. Questions like 'Is that a CZ or moissanite?' and 'How is it different from a natural diamond?'

What is the difference from a natural diamond?

A lab-grown diamond has exactly the same properties as a natural diamond:

• The same chemical composition (pure carbon)
• The same crystal structure
• The same hardness and brilliance

The way they are formed

A natural diamond grows over millions of years deep within the earth. A lab-grown diamond grows in a laboratory, in a few weeks to months, depending on the desired size. Large machines produce thousands of diamonds simultaneously.

What does it cost?

A lab-grown diamond is much cheaper than a natural diamond – often 60% to 85% lower in price. So you get more (lab-grown) diamond for your money, but you can also opt for a small diamond that took millions of years to form.

Choosing between a lab-grown or natural diamond

Then ask yourself these questions:

• Is it important to me that my diamond is natural and rare?
• Or do I prefer a modern and affordable alternative?

Natural diamonds are rare, and that makes them valuable. Factories produce unlimited lab-grown diamonds, which makes them not rare and many times cheaper.

Is one diamond more sustainable than the other? This topic is complex and deserves a separate blog. What is certain, in any case, is that lab-grown diamonds are not as green or sustainable as many people would have you believe. For lab-grown diamonds, in addition to the large amount of energy, raw materials from the earth are also needed.

Can you tell the difference?

With the naked eye, you cannot tell the difference. Even experts use special equipment to determine whether a diamond is natural or synthetic.