Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About Lab Diamonds
Natural vs Lab-Grown Diamonds
Absolutely. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are composed of the same carbon structure as natural diamonds and exhibit the same beauty, brilliance, and durability. The only difference is that lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment using advanced technology, rather than over millions of years beneath the Earth’s surface.
Just like their natural counterparts, lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same 4 Cs (carat, cut, color, and clarity), and only specialised equipment can distinguish between the two. So, while they may be created differently, lab-grown diamonds are just as real and just as remarkable.
Yes, a lab-grown diamond will test as a real diamond because it is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a natural diamond. In fact, both types share the same properties, making a lab-grown diamond a genuine diamond.
While they are indistinguishable to the naked eye, specialist equipment can be used by gemologists to differentiate between lab-grown and natural diamonds. The origin of a diamond, whether natural or lab-grown, is also clearly stated on its certificate for full transparency.
Lab-grown diamonds are typically more affordable than natural diamonds because of the way they are produced. While natural diamonds take millions of years to form deep within the Earth under extreme pressure and heat, lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment over a much shorter time frame. This process eliminates many of the costs associated with mining, such as extraction, transportation, and labor, which results in a lower price.
However, this doesn't mean lab-grown diamonds are any less good. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. The difference is purely in their origin. Lab-grown diamonds offer the same brilliance, durability, and beauty as natural diamonds but at a more accessible price point. So, if you're looking for a high-quality diamond at a better value, lab-grown diamonds are an excellent option.
In terms of chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties, lab-grown diamonds and natural mined diamonds are virtually identical. Both have the same hardness, brilliance, and durability, making them equally stunning and resilient.
The key difference lies in their formation. Lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond-growing process, but this process leaves subtle growth patterns that can only be detected with specialized, high-tech equipment.
Visually and physically, lab-grown diamonds are designed to be indistinguishable from mined diamonds, offering the same timeless sparkle and beauty. For full transparency, lab-grown diamonds are certified and clearly labeled, ensuring you know the origin of your diamond.
When deciding between a lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond, the best option depends on your personal priorities, but lab-grown diamonds offer several advantages that make them an excellent choice for many buyers.
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, yet they typically cost 30-40% less, allowing you to choose a larger or higher-quality diamond within your budget. They’re also grown in controlled environments, making them a more sustainable and ethical alternative, avoiding the environmental impact and ethical concerns sometimes associated with traditional diamond mining.
If size matters to you and you want a stunning diamond ring to cherish forever, a lab-grown diamond may be the perfect choice. However, if you value the potential for passing your diamond down through generations, upgrading it in the future, or owning a stone with more established resale value, a mined diamond might be better suited to your preferences.
Ultimately, both options are genuine diamonds, and the right choice will depend on what feels most meaningful to you.
Price and Value
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are generally cheaper than natural diamonds. The primary reason for this price difference is that lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment using advanced technology, which allows for a more efficient and cost-effective production process. In contrast, natural diamonds are formed over millions of years under high pressure and heat deep within the Earth, and their extraction involves costly mining operations.
While lab-grown diamonds have a lower price tag, they are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds, offering the same brilliance and durability. Therefore, you can enjoy the beauty of a diamond at a more affordable price when choosing a lab-grown option.
Lab-grown diamonds are typically 20% to 40% cheaper than their natural counterparts, though the exact price difference can vary based on factors such as size, quality, and the specific retailer. The savings primarily stem from the more efficient production process of lab-grown diamonds, which avoids the costs associated with mining and extraction.
While they are more affordable, lab-grown diamonds still offer the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, meaning you get a high-quality diamond at a significantly lower price.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are certified just like natural, mined diamonds, ensuring they meet recognized standards of quality, authenticity, and specific characteristics. Certification provides you with peace of mind, as it verifies essential details such as the diamond’s cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. At Pure Brilliance, we exclusively offer diamonds certified by leading gemological institutions, including GIA, IGI, and HRD, known for their rigorous grading standards.
As with mined diamonds, it’s always recommended to avoid diamonds without a certificate or those accompanied only by in-house certification, as these may not offer the same transparency, reliability, or level of assurance.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds last just as long as natural diamonds. Both types of diamonds share the same physical properties, including hardness, durability, and resistance to scratching. Lab-grown diamonds are made of the same carbon structure as natural diamonds, making them just as resilient and long-lasting. Whether natural or lab-grown, diamonds are incredibly durable and can last a lifetime, making them an excellent choice for heirlooms and special occasions.
Creating Lab-Grown Diamonds
It typically takes just a few weeks to grow a lab-grown diamond, compared to the millions of years it takes for a natural diamond to form deep within the earth. Despite this faster process, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds in every way, chemically, physically, and optically identical to those formed naturally. The difference lies in their origin, not in their quality.
Lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond-growing process. There are two primary methods: High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods produce real diamonds that are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.
1. High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT)
This is the older of the two methods and closely mimics the natural diamond formation process.
How it Works: A small diamond seed is placed in a chamber and subjected to intense heat (up to 2,500°C) and pressure (over 1.5 million PSI), similar to the conditions deep within the Earth’s mantle.
Result: Carbon atoms crystallize around the seed, forming a rough diamond that is later cut and polished.
Best For: Producing larger diamonds or fancy-coloured diamonds, such as yellow, pink, or blue.
2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
CVD is a newer, more advanced method, widely used in modern diamond production.
How it Works: A thin diamond seed (usually made from HPHT-grown diamond) is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gases, such as methane. The gases are heated to extreme temperatures, breaking down carbon molecules, which then bond to the seed and grow layer by layer into a diamond.
Result: A high-quality, nearly flawless rough diamond.
Best For: Producing colourless or near-colourless diamonds with high clarity.
The answer depends on the type of diamond being created:
- HPHT diamonds are often used for larger or coloured diamonds due to their ability to produce intense pressure and heat.
- CVD diamonds are more commonly used for high-clarity, colourless diamonds because the process allows for greater control and precision.
For most buyers, there’s no visible difference between HPHT and CVD diamonds, as both are graded using the same criteria (the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity, and carat). Ultimately, the best process depends on the specific qualities you’re looking for in a diamond. No matter the process, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, offering the same brilliance, sparkle, and durability as their natural counterparts but with a more affordable price and ethical, eco-friendly origins.
More about Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds will not lose their sparkle, turn cloudy, or become murky over time. Just like natural diamonds, they are made of pure carbon, which gives them their exceptional brilliance, fire, and durability. As long as the diamond is properly cared for and cleaned periodically to remove dirt or oil buildup, it will continue to dazzle for generations.
Yes, just like with natural diamonds, you can select your preferred 4Cs, Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight, when purchasing a lab-grown diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same criteria as mined diamonds, so you have the flexibility to choose a diamond that perfectly suits your taste and budget. At Pure Brilliance we only offer diamonds that are vs1 clarity.
Lab-grown diamonds may also be referred to as cultured diamonds, lab-created diamonds, man-made diamonds, or engineered diamonds. Some people might also call them synthetic diamonds, although this can be misleading as lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. You may also hear them described by the process used to create them, such as High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) diamonds or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamonds. Regardless of the name, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds in every way, offering the same brilliance, hardness, and beauty as mined diamonds—but without the environmental impact or high price tag.
Lab-grown diamonds and cubic zirconia are distinctly different. The key difference lying in their composition. Lab-grown diamonds are made from pure carbon, just like natural diamonds, and are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. In contrast, cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide and lacks carbon, which means it doesn’t have the same hardness, brilliance, or durability.
In terms of performance, lab-grown diamonds exhibit the same sparkle, fire, and dispersion as natural diamonds, offering lasting beauty. On the other hand, CZ lacks these qualities and is softer, which makes it more prone to scratches and wear over time. Jewellers can easily distinguish between the two based on these differences.