Lab-grown Diamond
The Lab-grown Diamond Option
We offer lab-grown diamonds as center stones for engagement rings. Natural diamonds are also available. Here is what you should know before choosing — honestly.
- Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, made of the same carbon crystal as natural diamonds.
- The only difference is where they were born. Hardness, brilliance, and grading standards are the same.
- LABONITO offers lab-grown diamonds as center stones for engagement rings. Natural diamonds are also available.
01What Is a Lab-grown Diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond. Instead of forming deep underground, it is born in a workshop on the surface. That is the only difference.
A diamond is 'carbon atoms arranged in a specific crystal structure.' That arrangement creates its hardness and brilliance. A lab-grown diamond reproduces this exact same structure on the surface. Its composition and crystal structure are the same as natural diamonds.
Cubic zirconia and moissanite, which are often compared, are different materials made to resemble diamonds. A lab-grown diamond is not an imitation — it is a diamond.
Natural Diamond
Carbon crystal. Formed deep underground over billions of years
= Diamond
Lab-grown Diamond
Carbon crystal. Grown in a workshop over several weeks
= Diamond
Cubic Zirconia / Moissanite
Different materials that resemble diamond
≠ Diamond (simulant)
Whether the material is carbon is the dividing line. The first two are both "diamond."
02How Are They Made?
A small diamond 'seed' is placed in a controlled environment, and carbon is gradually added over several weeks.
There are two main methods. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) applies extreme heat and pressure similar to deep underground. CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) deposits carbon layer by layer from a carbon-containing gas. Both produce the same diamond, which is then cut and polished just like a natural stone.
A flower grown in a greenhouse and one that bloomed in the wild are both real flowers — the only difference is where they grew. A lab-grown diamond is that kind of stone.
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
- Prepare a small seed crystal
- Apply extreme heat and pressure, like deep underground
- Carbon crystallizes around the seed
- A rough diamond forms in weeks
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
- Prepare a thin seed crystal
- Place it in a carbon-containing gas
- Carbon deposits layer by layer
- A rough diamond forms in weeks
Both methods produce the same diamond. The rough is cut and polished just like a natural stone.
03How They Differ from Natural
There are no visible differences. Both have a Mohs hardness of 10 (the hardest natural mineral on Earth). Brilliance and light refraction are the same.
Neither the naked eye, a loupe, nor even a professional gemologist can tell them apart. Specialized equipment is required. This is why clearly disclosing lab-grown origin has become an industry standard.
The differences are three: where they were born, how long they took to form (natural: billions of years, lab: weeks), and price. If you value the story of rarity, choose natural. If you want the same brilliance in a larger or higher-quality stone, choose lab-grown. Neither is inherently superior.
→ More: Comparison with natural diamonds
04How to Evaluate Quality
Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same 4Cs as natural diamonds.
'Lab-grown means they're all the same quality' is a misconception. Just like natural diamonds, each stone varies in color and clarity. That is why choosing matters.
C
Carat
Weight (1ct = 0.2g). An indicator of size
C
Color
Closer to colorless = higher grade (D is the highest)
C
Clarity
Fewer inclusions = higher grade (FL to I)
C
Cut
Quality of polish. The most important factor for brilliance
The 4Cs. Both lab-grown and natural are evaluated stone by stone, using the same four criteria.
05Grading Reports and Inscriptions
The fact that a diamond is lab-grown, along with its 4C grades, is documented in a grading report issued by a third-party laboratory.
Most lab-grown diamonds have a laser inscription on the girdle (edge of the stone) that is invisible to the naked eye. By matching the inscription to the report number, you can confirm that a specific stone belongs to a specific report.
For details on the grading reports and grades of the lab-grown diamonds we offer, please inquire at the shop.
→ More: How to read a grading report
06Why the Price Is Lower
Lab-grown diamonds are more affordable not because they are lower quality, but because there is no mining and supply is stable.
The price of a natural diamond includes the cost of exploration, mining, sorting, and a long distribution chain. Lab-grown diamonds have none of that.
This means that with the same budget, you can choose a larger stone, or one with higher color and clarity. Your options expand.
Choose natural
The story of billions of years and rarity. For those who want future asset value
Go larger with lab-grown
With the same budget, choose a larger center stone
Go higher grade with lab-grown
Same size, but higher color and clarity
Three ways to spend the same budget. None is inherently better.
07What We Want to Be Honest About
Lab-grown diamonds are not an asset. If you plan to resell, we do not recommend them.
The market price of lab-grown diamonds has changed with advances in technology and may continue to change. Do not expect to sell at the purchase price.
What they do offer is brilliance on your ring finger, every day. That value is exactly the same as natural. For those who value the story of rarity, natural diamonds are available.
08Environment and Traceability
Lab-grown diamonds do not involve mining. Where and how they were born is clear and traceable.
However, production does require electricity. We cannot claim they are completely environmentally friendly. We want to be honest about that.
09Lab-grown Diamonds at LABONITO
We offer lab-grown diamonds as center stones for engagement rings. Natural diamonds are also available.
- Supported sizes: 0.50ct to 1.20ct (setting price stays the same within this range; outside this range is made to order)
- Engagement ring listed prices are setting-only prices. Center stone prices vary by natural/lab-grown, size, and quality
- Color, clarity, and cut standards as well as grading report details are available at the shop
- Diamonds set in marriage rings are natural diamonds
Come see the real brilliance in person. You can compare lab-grown and natural diamonds side by side. For any questions, please contact the shop.
