Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds offer jewelry that combines certified conflict-free brilliance with ethical, sustainable production and the same durability and beauty as mined diamonds.
What are lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are pure crystallized carbon with the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds — the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same brilliance, the same fire. The only difference is origin: a lab grown diamond is created in a controlled laboratory over a few weeks rather than formed in the earth over billions of years. Since 2018, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has formally recognized lab grown diamonds as diamonds. To the eye — and to a jeweler's loupe — they are indistinguishable from mined stones; only specialized equipment can tell them apart.
How lab grown diamonds are made: HPHT vs CVD
Two methods produce gem-quality lab grown diamonds, both starting from a tiny diamond seed:
- HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) recreates the extreme heat and pressure deep in the earth, pressing carbon into a diamond crystal.
- CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) uses a carbon-rich gas in a vacuum chamber; carbon atoms settle layer by layer onto the seed, growing the diamond upward.
Both yield genuine, certifiable diamonds. The grading that matters is the same one used for mined stones — the 4Cs — not the growth method.
Lab grown vs mined diamonds: cost and value
The headline difference is price. A lab grown diamond typically costs significantly less than a mined diamond of the same size and quality, which means a larger or higher-grade stone for the same budget. Because supply isn't constrained by mining, you also get more consistent availability across shapes and sizes. Lab grown diamonds are valued for their beauty and value-per-carat — the right frame is buying a stone you'll wear and love, not a financial instrument.
How to choose: the 4Cs
- Cut is the most important — it drives how a diamond sparkles. Prioritize it.
- Color runs D (colorless) to Z; D–H reads white in most settings.
- Clarity runs FL (flawless) to I; VS and SI grades are typically "eye-clean," meaning no inclusions visible without magnification.
- Carat is weight, not size — elongated shapes like oval and marquise look larger per carat than rounds.
Use the filters above to balance the 4Cs to your budget; our team can help you narrow it down.
Why buy lab grown diamonds from Stienhardt
Every Stienhardt diamond is independently certified by IGI or GIA — the two most trusted gemological labs — and graded for the full 4Cs, so you're buying verified quality, not a marketing claim. All of our diamonds are conflict-free, available loose or set into any of our ring, earring, and pendant styles, and backed by free 30-day returns. Browse the collection above, or read our diamond education guides to go deeper before you buy.
Lab grown diamonds — frequently asked questions
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are pure crystallized carbon, chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds. The FTC has recognized them as real diamonds since 2018.
What is a lab grown diamond?
A diamond created in a controlled lab from a diamond seed, rather than mined from the earth — same material, same properties, made in weeks instead of eons.
How are lab grown diamonds made?
Two methods: HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition). Both grow a genuine diamond crystal from a carbon seed.
Are Stienhardt's lab grown diamonds certified?
Yes — every diamond is independently certified by IGI or GIA and graded for the full 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat).
Are lab grown diamonds cheaper than mined diamonds?
Typically they cost significantly less for the same size and quality, so you can get a larger or higher-grade stone for the same budget.
Can you tell a lab grown diamond from a mined one?
Not by eye or with a standard loupe — they're identical. Only specialized lab equipment can distinguish them.
Do lab grown diamonds hold their value?
They're best bought for beauty and value-per-carat rather than resale. You get significantly more stone for your money up front.
Are lab grown diamonds ethical and conflict-free?
Yes. All Stienhardt diamonds are conflict-free, with no mining footprint.
What shapes do lab grown diamonds come in?
Every shape — round, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, pear, radiant, marquise, heart, and our signature cuts. Filter by shape above.
How do I choose the right carat, color, and clarity?
Prioritize cut, then pick a color in the D–H range and a VS–SI clarity grade (usually eye-clean), and size carat to your budget.
What's the difference between a loose diamond and a preset one?
A loose diamond is the unmounted stone, which you then set into a ring or setting of your choice. A preset piece comes already mounted.
How do I set a loose diamond into a ring?
Choose your stone, then pick a setting — we'll mount it for you. Start from any loose diamond and build it into a ring.
How should I care for a lab grown diamond?
Clean gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush; store separately to avoid scratching other pieces. Same care as a mined diamond.
Do lab grown diamonds come with a grading report?
Yes — each comes with its IGI or GIA grading report documenting the 4Cs.
What is your return policy?
Free 30-day returns on diamonds and jewelry.