What a lab-grown diamond is
A laboratory-grown diamond is a diamond created by people rather than formed in the earth. It is made of carbon arranged in the same crystal structure as a natural diamond, so it shares its hardness, its brilliance and its chemistry.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides require that a laboratory-created diamond is clearly described as such, for example as "laboratory-grown" or "laboratory-created". DORVETTI applies the same rule everywhere.
How they are made
HPHT
High pressure, high temperature growth reproduces conditions similar to those deep in the earth: carbon is subjected to extreme pressure and heat in a press, where a diamond crystal grows from a small seed.
CVD
Chemical vapour deposition grows diamond from a carbon-rich gas at low pressure. Carbon atoms settle, layer by layer, on a diamond seed plate. CVD diamonds are often treated after growth to improve their colour.
Neither method is inherently better. What matters is the quality of the finished diamond, described by its grade. Read CVD vs HPHT diamonds.
Lab-grown or natural?
| Natural diamond | Laboratory-grown diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Diamond (carbon) | Diamond (carbon) |
| Origin | Formed in the earth over geological time | Grown under controlled conditions |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Identification | Requires laboratory testing to distinguish | Requires laboratory testing to distinguish |
| Price for similar size and quality | Usually higher | Usually lower |
Read Lab-grown vs natural diamonds.
Grading and reports
Laboratory-grown diamonds are graded with the 4Cs. Reports from independent laboratories identify the stone as laboratory-grown, and many stones carry a laser inscription on the girdle. See Certificates & Authenticity.
Care
Care is the same as for any diamond. See Jewelry Care.
Reference: US Federal Trade Commission, Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (16 CFR Part 23).
Frequently asked questions
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. They have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds.
Can you tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural one?
Not by eye. Gemmological laboratories use specialised instruments to identify laboratory-grown diamonds.
Do lab-grown diamonds get graded?
Yes. Independent laboratories grade them with the 4Cs, and their reports identify them as laboratory-grown.
Are lab-grown diamonds less expensive?
For a similar size and quality, laboratory-grown diamonds usually cost less than natural diamonds. Prices for both vary with the individual stone.
