Diamond Education
The Lab-Grown Diamond Guide
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, made above ground instead of mined. This guide explains how they are created, how they compare with mined diamonds and with look-alikes, what to expect on price and value, and how to care for one, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Updated October 2026 · 9 minute read
- 100%
- Real diamond
- 10
- Mohs hardness
- C
- Pure carbon
- IGI
- Independently graded
01The basics
What is a lab-grown diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is pure carbon arranged in the same cubic crystal structure as a diamond formed deep in the earth. It has the same chemistry, the same hardness and the same way of handling light. The only difference is where it grew: in a controlled laboratory over a few weeks, instead of underground over millions of years.
That is why lab-grown diamonds are not "fake" or "simulated". Gemmologists cannot tell one from a mined diamond by eye or with a loupe; it takes specialist laboratory equipment to confirm its origin.
02The process
How lab-grown diamonds are made
Scientists recreate the conditions that form diamonds in nature, using one of two methods. Both produce genuine diamond crystal, which is then cut and polished by hand exactly like a mined rough diamond.
Does the method matter?Not for beauty or durability. A well-made HPHT or CVD diamond of the same grades looks and wears the same. What matters is the cut, colour and clarity on the grading report.
03Comparison
Lab-grown vs mined diamonds
Physically they are the same material. The differences are in origin, price and how they are traded.
| Lab-grown diamond | Mined diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Pure carbon, diamond crystal | Pure carbon, diamond crystal |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Sparkle | Identical brilliance and fire | Identical brilliance and fire |
| Grading | Same 4Cs, by IGI, GIA and others | Same 4Cs, by GIA, IGI and others |
| Origin | Known: grown in a laboratory | Mined; origin can be hard to trace |
| Price | Significantly lower for the same size and grades | Higher, driven by rarity |
| Resale value | Low; buy it to wear and love | Some resale, usually well below retail |
04Know the difference
Lab-grown diamonds vs look-alikes
Moissanite and cubic zirconia are often sold alongside diamonds, but they are different materials. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond; they are not.
| Lab-grown diamond | Moissanite | Cubic zirconia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Diamond (carbon) | Silicon carbide | Zirconium dioxide |
| Hardness | 10 | 9.25 | 8 – 8.5 |
| Sparkle | Classic white brilliance | Strong rainbow flashes | Glassy; can cloud over time |
| Tests as diamond | Yes | No (on advanced testers) | No |
| Lifetime wear | Excellent | Very good | Scratches and dulls |
05Value
Price and value: an honest view
Because they are grown rather than mined, lab-grown diamonds cost far less than mined diamonds of the same size and quality. For many couples that means a larger or higher-grade centre stone for the same budget, or the same diamond with money left for the wedding.
We also want to be straightforward: lab-grown diamond prices have fallen as production has grown, and they have little resale value. Buy one because you love how it looks and what it stands for, not as a financial investment. That is equally true of most mined diamonds sold at retail.
06Responsibility
Are lab-grown diamonds ethical and sustainable?
A lab-grown diamond has a known origin: it was never mined, so it carries no link to conflict mining and does not require moving large amounts of earth. Growing diamonds does use significant energy, and the environmental footprint depends on how the laboratory is powered. If sustainability matters to you, a lab-grown diamond with a clear origin is a thoughtful choice, and we are happy to answer questions about any stone.
07Care
Caring for your lab-grown diamond
Your diamond is as durable as any diamond, and will last a lifetime with simple care.
- Clean it gently.Soak in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush softly behind the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry.
- Take it off for hard work.Diamonds are hard, but a sharp knock can still chip an edge or bend a prong. Remove your ring for the gym, gardening or heavy lifting.
- Keep it away from chlorine.Pool and cleaning chemicals can weaken metal over time.
- Store it separately.Diamonds can scratch other jewellery, so keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment.
- Have the setting checked.A jeweller's check of the prongs once a year keeps the stone secure.
08Civia
Why choose a Civia lab-grown diamond
Every Civia piece is made to order around your choices.
09Questions
Questions about lab-grown diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. They are made of the same carbon crystal as mined diamonds and have the same hardness, brilliance and fire. They are graded on the same 4Cs and identified as laboratory-grown on their reports.
Can a jeweller tell a lab-grown diamond from a mined one?
Not by eye or with a loupe. Telling them apart takes specialist laboratory equipment. That is why an independent grading report, which states the origin, is important.
Will a lab-grown diamond get cloudy or change colour?
No. A lab-grown diamond is chemically stable and will not cloud, fade or change colour. If it looks dull, it simply needs cleaning; skin oils and lotion build up on any diamond.
Do lab-grown diamonds pass a diamond tester?
Yes. Standard thermal and electrical testers identify them as diamond, because they are diamond. Only advanced laboratory instruments can identify their growth origin.
Are lab-grown diamonds a good investment?
We do not recommend buying any retail diamond as an investment. Lab-grown diamonds in particular have low resale value. Their value is in wearing a beautiful, genuine diamond at a far more accessible price.
Are lab-grown diamonds the same as moissanite?
No. Moissanite is silicon carbide, a different gemstone with more rainbow sparkle and slightly lower hardness. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond.
Do Civia diamonds come with a certificate?
Certification is listed under Specifications on each product page. If you would like the report details for your stone before ordering, contact us at support@civiajewels.com or +1 (437) 422-1187.
How long does a Civia lab-grown diamond ring take?
Every piece is handcrafted to order and delivered in 12–15 business days, with free insured shipping to the USA and Canada.
