Lab-Grown Diamonds
How are they made, how do they compare to natural, and are they right for you?
Laboratory diamonds are real diamonds with identical chemical structure, hardness, and sparkle to natural diamonds. They are “grown” by placing a small slice of diamond—called a seed diamond—in a controlled, high-pressure environment that sparks the growth of a new diamond crystal from the seed. This successfully mimics the natural conditions under which natural diamonds form in the earth.
The first proven lab diamonds were created by General Electric in the 1950s. These diamonds were grown for industrial application in mind, and were later used to make tools for cutting and polishing metals, glass, and even teeth. Only through further refinement of the diamond creation process did lab diamonds attain quality high enough to be cut and polished for jewelry.
GE developed the process known as High Pressure/High Temperature (HPHT), which is still in use today. This controlled process involves pressing pure carbon and a seed diamond within a metal cube and subjecting it to intense heat and pressure. The carbon breaks down and crystallizes, forming a diamond.
Another process used to create lab diamonds is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), in which a seed diamond is immersed in a cloud of carbon gas, causing the lab diamonds to grow. This process involves less energy and pressure than HPHT, and the diamonds it creates can be larger scale.
Growing lab diamonds for jewelry-making was not economically viable or widely accessible until the 1990s. Even then, they only gained popularity in the last 10 or so years due to the younger generations’ rising interest in more economical and ethical alternatives to the traditional diamond market.
Until 2025, the Gemological Institute of America graded lab diamonds using the same criteria as natural diamonds, such as color and clarity. Today the GIA characterizes lab diamond quality by confirming their lab creation and assigning them to one of two categories: premium or standard.
The change in grading was made because a consistent majority of lab diamonds entering the market fall into an identical range of color and clarity, making more detailed classification irrelevant. Grading reports based on the previous criteria are still valid. To learn more about the different grading criteria used to grade natural and lab diamonds, read our diamond selection guide.
Lab-created diamonds are a great option for those who want the durability and strength of a diamond ring without the cost of a natural diamond. Our expert sales and design team can help you decide which is the right choice for you, and can walk you through the pros and cons of buying lab-grown.
