Ever wondered whether that sparkling lab-grown diamond on your finger is actually a diamond? đź’Ž You’re not alone. Lab grown diamonds are surrounded by plenty of myths and misconceptions that have left many wouldbe buyers confused and unsure.
From accusations that lab diamonds are “worthless” to murmurs claiming they are “bad for the environment,” it can be difficult to disentangle the truth from myth. Don’t panic — we’re here to clarify the facts so you can make an informed choice. That’s why in this blog post, we’ll be busting common myths, answering burning questions, and looking at all you need to know about lab-grown diamonds.
Are you ready to find out the truth about lab-grown diamonds? Get ready to explore some of the most common misconceptions and questions about lab diamonds, starting with the argument that lab diamonds are worthless. Spoilers ahead: you may be stunned by what we learn!

ab grown diamonds are essentially worthless
All Lab Grown Diamonds Are Worthless—So Says the One Percent
The purpose of lab diamonds and their value
For the past few years, lab grown diamonds have been surrounded with a lot of controversy, including claims that they are worthless next to their natural counter pieces. Yet this claim is far from the reality. Now, let us explore why lab grown diamonds are worth more than nothing, and what makes them valuable, and thus not 'worthless'.
Composition and Physical Properties
Lab created diamonds have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds. They are both made of pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystalline structure. This shows lab diamonds have the same hardness, brilliance, and durability as natural diamonds. In fact, even trained gemologists can often only tell lab grown and natural diamonds apart with specialized equipment.
add tabel
Property
Lab Grown Diamond
Natural Diamond
Chemical Composition
Pure Carbon
Pure Carbon
Crystal Structure
Cubic
Cubic
Hardness (Mohs Scale)
10
10
Refractive Index
2.417 - 2.419
2.417 - 2.419
Specific Gravity
3.52
3.52
The table above clearly indicates that when it comes to bonding properties, lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are no different. This resemblance plays an important role in their valuation.
Quality Factors
Lab grown diamonds share its grading criteria with natural diamonds, so are evaluated using the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. This greatly affects the worth of both styles of diamonds.
Cut: The cut of a diamond influences its brilliance and sparkle. Lab grown diamonds are cut to the same high standards as natural diamonds, creating equally beautiful stones.
Color: Lab grown diamonds come in a variety of colors, ranging from colorless to fancy colored diamonds. In reality, certain rare colors are easier to find
Clarity: Lab grown diamonds can be included or flawless, just like natural diamonds. Lab grown diamonds tend to be close to flawless with very good clarity grades.
Carat Weight: Lab grown diamonds come in different sizes, with some producing bigger carat weights than natural diamonds which are extremely rare.
And these grading factors can contribute towards high quality lab grown diamonds that have significant market value.
Market Demand and Acceptance
Over the last decade, lab grown diamonds have slowly gained popularity. The lab grown diamond market grew by 15-20% in 2019, according to a report from Bain & Company. Some of the factors driving this growing acceptance include:
Ethical reasons:Lab grown diamonds are guaranteed blood diamonds free and many consumers choose lab grown diamonds for this reason.
Eco-Friendly: Lab Grown Diamonds have a lower impact on the environment than mined stones do.
Cost: Lab grown diamonds are typically 30-40% cheaper than natural diamonds of equal value.
Improvements in technology: More advanced production methods yield better quality, affordable lab grown diamonds.
This demand explosion is the exact opposite of the inane argument that lab grown diamonds have no value. According to that, even big jewelry retailers and luxury brands have begun to include lab grown diamonds in their product offerings, adding more legitimacy to their value in the market.
Resale Value
Original purchase price
Quality of the diamond
The demand for certain characteristics
Keep in mind that as the lab grown diamond market matures, there will likely be more resale opportunities: And not surprisingly providing buy-back programs for lab grown diamonds.
Investment Potential
It is often said that diamonds in general make poor investments (they are often too emotional and are not liquid), but lab grown diamonds do have some potential in this department:Innovation: The process of growing diamonds in a lab is improving by the day; the very first lab grown diamonds made may become collectible.
Rare colours: Lab grown diamonds in rare colours that are hard to form in the natural environment can also increase in value over time.
Sustainable investing: Lab grown diamonds should appeal to investors as more focus on ethical and sustainable investments
Certification and Grading
Lab grown diamonds are graded using the same extensive grading processes as natural diamonds, further establishing their value. Certified lab grown diamonds are issued by reputed gemological institutes such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).
These certificates include:
The 4Cs grading
A label indicating origin (lab grown).
Details on how the diamond was grown (HPHT or CVD)The fact that premier institutes are willing to certify lab grown diamonds is a strong indication of their legitimacy and value in the market.
Consumer perception and education
As consumers become more informed about lab grown diamonds it is modifying their perception of value. A lot of are realizing that. The inherent properties of a diamond — its beauty, durability,
Produced through an open and transparent process
Awareness of the environmental and ethical benefits
Acknowledgment of the technological feat
Lab grown diamonds are quickly becoming more common now that lab grown diamonds are more widely recognised, their value is increasing.
Use in High-End Jewelry
Lab grown diamonds in high end jewelry pieces are a testament to their value. Luxury jewelers are increasingly using lab grown diamonds in their designs, often in combination with natural diamonds and other precious gemstones.
Some high-end use cases are:
Engagement rings
Statement necklaces
Designer watches
Custom pieces for celebrities
The acceptance in the luxury market reinforces the worth of lab grown diamonds.
Comparison with Other Synthetic Gemstones
Lab grown diamonds are not to be confused with synthetic gems. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds (unlike diamond simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite).
Characteristic
Lab Grown Diamond
Cubic Zirconia
Moissanite
Chemical Composition
Carbon
Zirconium Dioxide
Silicon Carbide
Hardness (Mohs Scale)
10
8.5
9.25
Refractive Index
2.417 - 2.419
2.15 - 2.18
2.65 - 2.69
Brilliance
High
Lower
Very HighThis is another great comparison that shows how lab grown diamonds are on a level of their own compared to other synthetic gems, which supports their value.
Future Prospects
Lab grown diamonds have a promising future ahead of them due to a number of reasons, as follows:
Next generation technology: Further advances in production techniques will enable production of higher quality and variety of lab grown diamonds.
Increase market penetration: More jewelry brands and retailers will be adding lab grown diamonds to their product assortments.