Lab Grown Diamond

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds created in a laboratory environment. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.

What are Lab Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds that have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. The only difference is origin: lab grown diamonds are produced using precise, high-tech manufacturing processes, while natural diamonds are mined from the earth.

Lab grown diamonds are graded on the same 4Cs as mined diamonds and display the same characteristic brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Because the growth process is designed to mirror natural conditions, there are still variations in color and clarity of lab created diamonds. Not all lab grown diamonds are colorless and flawless.

How Are Lab Diamonds Grown?

High Pressure, High Temperature

HPHT diamond growth occurs within massive pressure cookers. Small diamond seeds are placed into a growth cell and graphite is inserted on top of the diamond seeds. The pressure cooker is heated to 1500°C and pressurized to approximately 70,000 times the pressure at sea level.

At this extreme temperature and pressure, the graphite in the growth cell is melted into liquid carbon and then carefully cooled into the strongest form of carbon: a diamond crystal.

Chemical Vapor Deposition

CVD diamond growth occurs within vacuum plasma reactors. Thin diamond plates are placed in a growth cell and hydrocarbon gas is injected into the reactor. High power microwaves break apart the molecules of the gas, and the carbon atoms precipitate onto the diamond plates, vertically growing the diamond atom by atom.
The resulting CVD diamonds are often subjected to extreme pressure to 'compress' the diamond. This additional step improves the quality of the diamond crystal, giving the diamond better color and light performance.

Shop by Shape

Round

Round
Pear

Pear
Emerald

Emerald
Oval

Oval
Radiant

Radiant
Heart

Heart
Marquise

Marquise
Cushion

Cushion
Princess

Princess

Understanding Lab Diamond Quality

What you need to know about lab diamond pricing, quality, and how to find the perfect lab diamond.

How are Lab Diamonds Priced?

Lab diamond pricing is based on the same 4C’s as natural diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. However, two diamonds with identical 4C’s can appear very different in real life.

Factors like color nuance and make are not usually reflected on a grading report but have a meaningful impact on a diamond’s value. This is why all of our diamonds are inspected in person prior to being added to our inventory.
Lab grown diamonds are typically priced 50-80% lower than natural diamonds of the same quality.

How do I Choose a Lab Diamond?

We’re so glad you asked! Our experts are here if you need help getting started!
We recommend starting with a shape and size you like and then finding a diamond that meets your desired specifications.

Here at Ada, we’ve done the hard part for you already by pre-selecting only the most exceptional lab diamonds. Everything you see on our website or at our showroom has already been evaluated across the full spectrum of quality.

Frequently asked questions

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. They are indistinguishable, even to an expert gemologist using traditional jewelers’ tools.
Lab grown diamonds are not the same thing as diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia, moissanite, or a CZ with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. 
How Are Lab Diamonds Grown?
Lab diamonds are made by recreating the conditions underneath the Earth that result in diamond growth: pressure, heat, & carbon.
Today, there are two methods of growing diamond gemstones: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) & Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Each process is best suited for certain sizes & colors of diamond
Are Lab Diamonds Better for the Environment?
Mining diamonds from the earth requires large-scale excavation and heavy machinery. Lab diamonds are created with significantly less environmental disruption.
Many lab diamond growers use renewable energy, and the diamond growth process requires only a small amount of raw carbon to produce each carat.
Are Lab Diamonds Cheaper than Mined Diamonds?
Yes. Lab diamonds typically retail for 50-80% less than mined diamonds of equivalent quality. Just like mined diamonds, lab diamonds are priced based on quality and their 4C’s grades.
Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab Diamonds & Natural Diamonds?
Because lab grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds with the same chemical composition, hardness, and sparkle, you cannot tell the difference between a natural diamond and a lab diamond without specialized laboratory equipment.
To the naked eye and traditional jeweler’s testers, they are indistinguishable.