By Sandra, founder of FABLE+42 · Last updated October 2, 2026
Lab-grown diamonds and gemstones, explained
Lab-grown diamonds and gemstones are real stones. Same chemistry, same hardness, same sparkle. They're just grown in a lab instead of pulled from the ground.
Quick answer: Yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They usually cost much less than a natural diamond of the same size and quality, but they hold very little resale value.
Are lab-grown diamonds real?
Yes. A lab-grown diamond is carbon in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond. It's not a look-alike like cubic zirconia or moissanite. It takes specialized equipment to tell the two apart.
The same goes for lab-grown sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Real stones, made a different way.
How lab-grown diamonds are made
Labs grow diamonds two ways. HPHT recreates the high pressure and heat that form diamonds underground. CVD builds the crystal layer by layer from a carbon-rich gas. What takes nature billions of years takes a lab a few weeks.
Lab-grown vs natural diamonds
Lab-grown
Natural
What it is
Real stone, grown above ground
Real stone, mined
Look and durability
Same
Same
Price
Usually much lower for the same size and quality
Higher
Resale value
Low
Holds value better
Rarity
Not rare
Rare
When a lab-grown diamond makes sense
You want a bigger or better stone for your budget. Lab-grown gets you more size or quality for the money.
You care about mining. Lab-grown skips the mine. Ask the designer about the lab's energy use if that matters to you.
It's a gift for wearing, not investing. Most people don't resell jewelry anyway.
When a natural diamond makes sense
Rarity matters to them. Some people love that a natural stone took a billion years to form.
Resale value matters. Natural stones hold value better over time.
It's an heirloom. If the plan is to pass it down, some people prefer natural.
Neither is the wrong choice. It's about what matters to the person you're buying for.
How to tell if a diamond is lab-grown
A good listing says "lab-grown," "lab-created" or "natural" clearly. For diamonds, ask if the stone comes with a grading report and which lab issued it. Reports for lab-grown diamonds should say so.
If a listing just says "diamond" or "sapphire" and you're not sure, ask the designer. Independent designers know exactly what they're setting.
Lab-grown diamond vs moissanite vs cubic zirconia
Simulants look like a stone but are a different material. Cubic zirconia and moissanite look like diamonds but aren't. They're fine choices, as long as you know what you're getting.
FAQ
Do lab-grown diamonds test as real diamonds?
Yes. A standard diamond tester reads them as diamonds. Only specialized lab equipment can tell them apart.
Do lab-grown diamonds get cloudy?
No. They're as hard and stable as natural diamonds. Cloudiness usually comes from dirt and is fixed with a clean.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Not well. Resale value is low. Buy one because you love it, not as an investment.
Are lab-grown sapphires and emeralds real too?
Yes. Lab-grown colored gemstones have the same chemistry as natural ones and have been around for over a century.
