Lab-grown vs mined diamonds: what is the real difference?
Journal · Diamond Education
There is a question we get asked a lot: are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds? The answer is yes. Completely, unequivocally yes.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is not a simulant. It is not cubic zirconia or moissanite. It is a diamond, grown in a controlled environment that replicates the natural conditions deep within the earth. The result is a stone that is physically, chemically, and optically identical to one pulled from the ground. The only difference is the story behind it.
Lab-grown vs mined: what actually differs?
| Lab-grown | Mined | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% carbon crystal | 100% carbon crystal |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 - the hardest material on earth | 10 - identical |
| 4Cs criteria | Yes, the same four measures | Yes |
| Environmental cost | Significantly lower | High - land disruption, carbon emissions |
| Conflict risk | None - fully traceable | Varies by source |
| Price | 30-50% less for equivalent stone | Higher |
Are lab-grown diamonds worth it?
Mined diamonds come with a cost that goes beyond the price tag. Traditional diamond mining is environmentally intensive - significant land disruption, high water and energy use, and carbon emissions. The ethical concerns, depending on source, can be significant too.
Lab-grown diamonds eliminate both. Same sparkle. Same hardness. Same four measures: cut, clarity, colour, and carat. None of the compromise.
Why Glasaje chooses lab-grown
At Glasaje, we choose lab-grown diamonds because what a piece is made from matters as much as how it looks. Every diamond we set is conflict-free and created without harming the environment. When you wear a Glasaje diamond, you are not settling for second best. You are choosing something better.
Frequently asked questions
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds in every scientific sense - same carbon crystal structure, same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), same optical properties. They are measured on the same 4Cs as mined diamonds.
Can you tell the difference between a lab-grown and mined diamond?
Not with the naked eye. Even professional gemologists cannot distinguish them visually - specialist equipment is required. The stones are physically and chemically identical.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Lab-grown diamonds have followed a declining price trend as production has scaled. They are not typically purchased as investment assets - they are purchased because you want a beautiful, ethical diamond to wear. For that purpose, they are excellent value.
