Lab grown diamonds are created under strict scientific conditions so that they have the same chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds.
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Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that have the same hardness, brilliance, and other properties as natural diamonds. This is achieved by experienced scientists who work under strict laboratory conditions. Lab grown diamonds can be brought to life in a matter of weeks, whereas natural diamonds form deep in the ground over millions of years.
You can safely consider lab grown diamonds to be as real as natural diamonds, but you should also be aware of the misconceptions that are out there:
Both types of diamond are 100% real, have the same properties, and only differ in terms of how they are produced.
A quick comparison will show just how much these two types of stone have in common.
| Translation missing: en.accessibility.feature | Lab Grown Diamonds | Natural Diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Brilliance | Refractive index ranges from 2.417 to 2.419 | Refractive index ranges from 2.417 to 2.419 |
| Color | Mostly colorless, but have the potential for vivid shades | Mostly colorless, but comes in shades such as yellow and pink |
| Grading | Grading focuses on cut, color, clarity, and carat | Grading focuses on cut, color, clarity, and carat |
| Certification | Always assessed by trusted gemological institutions | Always assessed by trusted gemological institutions |
| Origin | Created in controlled laboratories before being cut and polished | Formed deep in the ground over billions of years before being mined |
| Rarity | Produced in increasing quantities as technology improves | Limited quantities as a result of varied geological conditions |
| Price | Lower cost due to higher levels of availability | Higher cost due to overheads involved with mining |
A vastly experienced gemologist using specialist high magnification equipment is the only person who will be able to spot the following:
Unless you are a gemologist with years of experience and you have access to specialist equipment, you will find it impossible to tell the difference. This is because the way that lab grown diamonds are formed is designed to carefully mimic the natural formation process that occurs deep in the ground.
There are a number of benefits of lab grown diamonds, including:
Gemological specialists, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), assess diamonds for cut, clarity, carat weight, etc. They use the exact same grading process for natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds, ensuring that everyone who opts for the sustainable option of a lab grown stone can sleep with peace of mind. Exactly what you want to hear when you’re looking to get something that is everything you want it to be.
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You can, and many people do, but daily wear is most sustainable when you have built the habit of removing it during high risk activities. A ring worn every day with thoughtful care will outlast one worn carelessly any day of the week.
We advise against it. Soap, shampoo, and conditioner build up on diamond and gemstone surfaces over time, dulling their brilliance. It takes less than a minute to remove your ring before stepping in, and that habit will make a visible difference in how consistently your ring sparkles.
Occasional handwashing with a mild soap is generally fine. The concern is cumulative: frequent washing with harsh soaps, very hot water, or antibacterial formulas can wear down metal finishes over time, and soapy water does slightly increase the risk of a ring slipping off at the sink. When in doubt, take it off first.
Every six months is a good baseline. If you wear your ring daily, you may want to come in more frequently, especially if you notice visible buildup around the setting or a loss of brilliance that home cleaning does not fully restore.
Inconsistency. The habits that protect a ring, removing it before the gym, before bed, before cleaning, are easy to build but also easy to skip. The damage from any single skipped occasion is minimal; the cumulative effect of months of inconsistency is where rings lose their brilliance and settings begin to suffer.
