ARE LAB CREATED DIAMONDS REAL?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical, both starting as carbon seeds and pressurised to life. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission recently changed the definition of a diamond by removing the word natural and the GIA grades them the same way.

ARE LAB MADE DIAMONDS WORTH ANYTHING?

Yes. Lab created diamonds are priced based on the 4Cs of diamond quality, exactly the same as mined. Lab grown diamonds are currently up to 60% cheaper than mined diamonds of the exact same caliber, making them far more cost effective. On average, it will cost around £3,450 for a 1ct lab grown diamond that has an excellent cut, F colour and VS2 clarity.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THEY ARE LAB CREATED DIAMONDS?

You can’t. Even specialist gemologists and seasoned diamond traders cannot tell the difference between lab grown and mined diamonds with the naked eye, it takes specialist magnifying equipment that looks at the structure of atoms to notice any differences. Accuracy is never guaranteed, however.

ARE LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS GIA CERTIFIED?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are graded on cut, clarity, colour and carat, just the same as mined diamonds. The GIA ​​(Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute) are the key institutions to grade and issue certificates for lab diamonds.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LAB-CREATED DIAMOND AND A CUBIC ZIRCONIA?

A lab-created diamond is a genuine diamond, whereas a cubic zirconia is not. It is softer, does not look the same to the naked eye and does not contain carbon and so doesn’t qualify as a diamond. It’s a wannabe.