What are Lab Grown Diamonds?

In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have become a bigger part of the jewelry world. 

While they were once considered something new, or even experimental, nowadays they’re seen in showcases all around the world, and are chosen by more and more buyers every year. 

The reason for their rise in popularity is simple: they cost less than their mined counterparts, and they look just as beautiful as natural stones. 

The only difference between lab-grown diamonds and mined ones is where they come from - they are 100% real diamonds, they are just made in a lab. 

In this article, we’ll go over the basics of lab-grown diamonds. We’ll discuss how they’re made, how they compare to natural diamonds, and things to keep when deciding between a lab or a natural stone.

How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made

There are two methods to create lab stones: the High Pressure High Temperature Method (HPHT), and the Chemical Vapor Deposition Method (CVD)

Each method creates conditions that mimic the environment that creates natural diamonds deep within the earth, and each begins with something called a diamond seed - a small piece of diamond that's built upon to create a full stone.

• High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): In this method, the diamond seed is placed in a chamber and is subjected to immense pressure and heat (Around 725,000–870,000 psi and 1,300–1,600°C (2,370–2,910°F), respectively). These conditions replicate the Earth’s mantle, causing carbon atoms to crystallize around the seed. Diamonds created with HPHT can sometimes come with a yellow or blue hue, due to the nitrogen and boron present at creation. Furthermore, HPHT diamonds do have
  

• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): In this method, the diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. Carbon atoms bond to the seed layer by layer, gradually building up the diamond. CVD is actually a newer process than HPHT (1980s vs 1950s). With that in mind, the tech used is incredibly precise. CVD can create diamonds with an extremely pure chemical makeup, void of any trace elements like boron or nitrogen, which results in pure, frosty, white, colorless stones.
  

Lab-grown diamonds created through HPHT or CVD look and perform just like mined ones. The main ways to tell them apart - even from natural stones -  are through a grading report, a close microscopic study of growth patterns, or, in some cases, a small laser inscription on the girdle that notes their origin.

Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

Lab-grown and natural diamonds are virtually the same - they are chemically, physically, and optically identical.

Both rank a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest known material and resistant to scratches. 

Both display the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation that diamonds are celebrated for. 

And both can last for generations, making them suitable for heirloom pieces and daily jewelry alike.

The real differences come down to pricing and resale value, as well as personal sentiments.

Lab grown diamonds generally cost 20–40% less than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality. This makes them an extremely attractive choice for buyers who want to maximize their budget. Holding prices the same, you can get much more bang for your buck on a lab-grown stone vs a natural one. 

The trade-off of this is resale value—because lab-grown diamonds can be produced in large numbers, they don’t hold value as well. As technology advances and supply grows, prices are expected to continue trending downward. This doesn’t make them a poor choice, though; for many, lab-grown diamonds are the right fit when the focus is on size, beauty, and affordability at the time of purchase rather than long-term resale. Furthermore, it’s a better investment when compared to other stones that are diamond simulants, like moissanite or cubic zirconia.

Natural diamonds, by contrast, are limited in supply, which gives them an established resale market where they can strongly hold their value over time. Also, when it comes to sentiments, natural stones have the upper hand here as well. A lot of people like the idea of natural diamonds being a symbol of something from the earth that’s eternal, unique, and finite in number.

Conclusion 

Lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds both have their place. Lab-grown diamonds give buyers the same look and durability as natural ones, often at a lower price. Natural diamonds, on the other hand, are popular for their rarity, tradition, and strong resale potential. The right choice depends on what matters most to you—whether that’s budget, long-term value, or the idea of owning something formed in the earth.

At SUNSHINE, we make the process simple. With a GIA-certified gemologist on staff, we can explain the differences and help you compare stones in person. Visit us at our Philadelphia or Media showroom to see both lab-grown and natural diamonds side by side and find the one that feels right for you.