What Is A Lab Grown Diamond & Other Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Lab Grown Diamond & Other Frequently Asked Questions

Euan James Euan James
6 minute read

Listen to article
Audio generated by DropInBlog's Blog Voice AI™ may have slight pronunciation nuances. Learn more

Everybody loves diamonds. They’re beautiful, luxurious and oh so sparkly! But whenever diamonds are in the picture, often so is a hefty price tag. But now, thanks to technology, there is a more sustainable, affordable, and equally fashionable way to wear diamonds.

Introducing the luminesce lab-grown diamond — our new collection of diamond jewellery that is lab-grown, rather than mined. These are not only pocket-friendly, but planet-friendly too, and they virtually look no different from the “traditional” diamond.

Okay, so exactly what is a lab-grown diamond? How are they made? Why are they eco-friendly? We are here to answer all your questions

Overview: 

    ★ What a lab-grown diamond is
    ★ What CVD & HPHT diamonds are
    ★ The difference between a lab-grown diamond & a mined one
    ★ Are lab-grown diamonds easy to maintain?
    ★ How there is no ethical baggage
    ★ How lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly
    ★ Are they really more affordable?
    ★ How ‘pure’ they are

1. What Is A Lab-Grown Diamond?

For the longest time, we’ve known diamonds to come from the deepest mines, after withstanding the harshest conditions. Today, however, mines are not the only place where diamonds can form. Thanks to a lot of scientific knowledge and advanced technology, diamonds can now grow in labs.

So what is a lab-grown diamond? Lab-created diamonds are formed under multiple conditions, and just like plants (yes - plants), they are grown from a 'seed'. The diamond seed is usually a mined diamond that is enhanced or grown in a lab. And it actually has a lesser cost, incredible quality, and, of course, less damage to the planet. But these aren’t the only benefits of lab-grown diamonds.

Luminesce Lab Grown Diamond 1/2 Carat Pink/Purple 8Claw Solitaire 18W Size M

Luminesce Lab Grown Diamond 1/2 Carat Pink/Purple 8Claw Solitaire 18W Size M

$999.00

This beautiful Luminesce Lab Grown Diamond 1/2 Carat Pink/Purple 8Claw Solitaire ring offers sleek simplicity and vibrant colour. Whilst white gold claws cradle a glowing plum-toned gem, elegance and flare go hand in hand. Whether worn everyday or adorned for… read more

Sold out

Luminesce Lab Grown 18ct Yellow Gold 1 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring

Luminesce Lab Grown 18ct Yellow Gold 1 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring

$7,999.00

Timeless. Pure luxury. This Luminesce Lab Grown 18ct Yellow Gold 1 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring has all the features of a royal jewellery piece. The warmth and colour of 18ct gold is irresistible, and provides impeccable contrast to the generous… read more

Sold out

2. Wait, So What Are CVD & HPHT Diamonds?

CVD diamonds and HPHT diamonds are two types of lab-grown diamonds.

CVD diamonds, or ‘Chemical Vapor Deposition’ diamonds, are grown from real diamonds by the process they are named after. They are pure carbon and have the same molecular structure as mined, or natural diamonds, which means that they pass all forms of rigorous diamond testing and have the same high-intensity lustre and shine as their mined counterparts.

They’re top-quality stones with that traditional shine, and you are guaranteed to get these high-quality diamonds at affordable costs when you shop with Shiels.

High Pressure & High Temperature (HPHT) Diamonds are self-explanatory because they derive their name from their formative procedure. Bearing a similar appearance and process to a natural diamond. These tend to be cheaper than the CVD diamonds and natural diamonds, however, the quality is not as high.

3. What’s The Difference Between A Lab-Grown Diamond & A Mined One?

The main difference between a mined diamond and lab-grown diamonds is that one is a natural diamond formed in the earth’s crust and subsequently mined, whereas the other is grown in a laboratory. The lab-grown man-made diamonds are conflict-free, much less expensive and environment-friendly.

Ok, so we’ve answered “what is a lab-grown diamond” and addressed the different types; now let's dig a little deeper.

4. Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Easy To Maintain?

Absolutely! The care for your Luminesce lab-grown diamond is the same as any other kind of precious stone or gem-quality diamond. Make sure to check out our guide all about caring for your diamond jewellery for the best care, tips and tricks to keep your diamonds sparkling bright.

what is a lab grown diamond - like the one in the ring on this woman's hand

5. How Is There No Ethical Baggage, Though?

The primary reason is the lack of controversy over where these diamonds come from. The ethical dilemmas of buying mined diamonds are way too many, but lab-grown diamonds come with a clear conscience.

The diamond industry can be prone to problems with labour, location, and mining through excavation processes that leave the land scarred and barren. With lab-grown diamonds, all of these problems are eliminated, because each piece comes out certified, and is created responsibly.

6. How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Eco-Friendly?

At the end of the day, what is a lab-grown diamond - it’s an eco-friendly diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are way more sustainable than their mined alternatives. Mining leaves behind irreversible scars on the earth, that go deep beyond the surface. Tonnes of soil and the earth’s surface is removed just to find them - but that is all avoidable with lab-grown diamonds.

7. Are They Really More Affordable?

Definitely! A lab-grown diamond of the same size, shape and colour as its mined equivalent is not only 30%-40% cheaper (crazy, right?), but they also come with a similar shine and quality, leaving virtually no visible difference between them to the naked eye. This allows you to buy bigger stones for less, without any compromise.

Luminesce Lab Grown 18ct White Gold 0.15 Carat Diamond Halo Ring

Luminesce Lab Grown 18ct White Gold 0.15 Carat Diamond Halo Ring

$569.00

A Luminesce Lab Grown 18ct White Gold 0.15 Carat Diamond Halo Ring with a breathtaking shimmer. Hold this gorgeous ring to the light and be amazing at the intricacy and beauty of its brilliant cut lab diamonds. This glamorous ring… read more

Sold out

Luminesce Lab Grown Pear Diamond Ring in 9ct Yellow Gold

Luminesce Lab Grown Pear Diamond Ring in 9ct Yellow Gold

$634.00

A beautiful 1/3 Carat pear shaped Luminesce Lab Grown diamond set in 9ct Yellow Gold. Simply stunning. Luminesce Lab Grown Diamonds are quickly increasing in popularity as not only do they offer a bigger, better and brighter Diamond for less,… read more

Sold out

8. How ‘Pure’ Are They? I Don’t Want A Fake-Looking Stone…

These diamonds are the last thing from fake! How good do our lab-created yellow diamond rings and white gold lab-created diamond rings look above! They are real diamonds with high purity, and the only real difference being that they are grown in a lab. They look the same, feel the same and shine the same, which makes them an economical purchase for your diamond ring collection.

They are also pure carbon atoms, just like the mined kind, and even ‘grow’ from the seed of a pure mined diamond, which gives them total authenticity, through and through!

Now you know the answer to the important question “what is a lab-grown diamond” it’s time to get shopping. We have a diverse range of beautiful lab-grown diamonds in our Luminesce Collection - from jaw-dropping lab-grown diamond rings to lab-grown diamond pendants, lab-grown diamond earrings and lab-grown diamond necklaces to eye-catching pieces for everyday wear.

Learn More About Lab-Grown Diamonds

    ★ Mined vs Lab Diamonds 
    ★ What Is A Man Made Diamond?
    ★ How Are Man Made Diamonds Created?
    ★ Do Lab Grown Diamonds Last?
    ★ Diamond Simulant vs Lab Created
    ★ Is A Lab Created Diamond A Real Diamond?
    ★ Are Lab Created Diamonds A Good Investment?

« Back to Blog