Loose Lab Grown Diamonds

Yes. A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. Same chemical composition, same crystal structure, same optical properties as a mined diamond. It's not a simulant like cubic zirconia or moissanite. The only difference is origin: one forms over billions of years underground; the other grows in weeks or months in a controlled environment that replicates that same process. Gemological institutions like IGI, GCAL, and GIA evaluate lab grown diamonds using the same standards applied to mined stones.

Yes. The diamonds in our inventory are certified by IGI, GCAL, or GIA. The grading report documents the stone's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight and confirms its lab grown origin. Each stone also carries a laser-inscribed serial number on the girdle that corresponds to the certificate.

One thing worth knowing: as of October 2025, GIA changed how it grades lab grown diamonds, issuing "Premium" or "Standard" quality tiers rather than individual color and clarity grades. IGI continues to apply full 4Cs grading. If precise grades matter when you're comparing stones, look for IGI or GCAL certified diamonds.

We can help you find any diamond shape, but the most readily available through our diamond search are the classic cuts: round, oval, emerald, radiant, cushion, pear, marquise, asscher, princess, and heart.

Elongated shapes like ovals, pears, and marquise tend to look larger face-up relative to their carat weight. Emerald and asscher cuts are step cuts that prioritize clarity and depth over sparkle.

Looking for something outside the standard cuts — an Old Miner, a Dutch Marquise, a Moval? We can help source those. Reach out at hello@labgrowndiamonds.com.

Cut is the most important factor: it determines how the diamond sparkles. Color and clarity both matter, but with lab grown diamonds you're far less constrained by budget than most buyers have historically been. For a full breakdown of what each grade means and how to prioritize them, read our guide to the 4Cs →

Both methods produce real, gem-quality diamonds. CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) grows diamonds layer by layer from a carbon-rich gas in a vacuum chamber. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) replicates the extreme heat and pressure conditions found deep underground. The distinction shows up mainly under advanced gemological testing and in the specific types of inclusions each method can produce, which your grading report will document. For more information on the CVD and HPTP processes, read about how lab grown diamonds are made →

Significantly less, and the gap widens considerably at larger carat weights. A 1 carat lab grown diamond of comparable quality runs roughly $750–$1,200 versus $5,000–$7,000 for mined. At 2 carats, that gap reaches $10,000 or more. At 3 carats, a comparable mined stone can cost $50,000–$100,000+; a lab grown equivalent runs $2,500–$5,000. The diamond is the same. What changes is what's been removed from the price: the overhead of traditional mining and distribution, tightly controlled supply, and over a century of marketing investment built into every mined stone sold.

Absolutely. Starting with the diamond means the setting is built to its exact dimensions rather than the other way around. You can select your own diamond to design an engagement ring or create a custom jewelry piece. If you'd like help selecting a setting or designing a custom piece, contact us or fill out our custom jewelry form.

No diamond, lab grown or mined, is a reliable financial investment. Both lose significant value on the secondary market relative to retail price. What lab grown diamonds offer is meaningfully less financial exposure from the start: a stone that costs $1,500 losing resale value is a very different outcome than a $15,000 stone doing the same. Buy a diamond because you want to wear it, not because you expect to sell it.