Shop Lab Grown Diamonds

When buying lab-grown diamonds, the same factors that are used for natural diamonds still apply. These are known as the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Understanding how each of these affects a diamond's appearance and price can help you choose the best option for your budget.

Factor	What It Means	Recommended Range
Cut	How well the diamond reflects light and sparkles	Excellent or Ideal
Color	How colorless the diamond appears	D–H
Clarity	Presence of natural inclusions inside the diamond	VS1 – SI1
Carat	The weight and size of the diamond	Depends on budget

Balancing these factors is what helps most buyers get the best combination of size, sparkle, and value when choosing a lab-grown diamond.

Generally, lab-grown diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds of similar size and quality. The price difference can vary, but lab-grown diamonds are often more affordable overall.

Carat Weight	Natural Diamond Price	Lab Diamond Price	Average Savings
1 Carat	$1,200 – $12,000	$500 – $1,500	50–70%
2 Carat	$5,000 – $20,000+	$2,000 – $4,000+	50–75%
3 Carat	$13,000 – $30,000+	$3,500 – $7,000+	50–70%
4 Carat	$24,000 – $60,000+	$3,500 – $7,000+	50–70%
5 Carat	$24,000+	$4,500 – $10,000+	50–70%

There is such a huge difference because the diamonds in question are man-made, and therefore, they typically cost less than their natural counterparts. Typical market range varies depending on cut, color, and clarity.

There are two processes used to create man-made diamonds. These include CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature). The HPHT process is similar to how diamonds form naturally underground (deep inside the Earth).

In contrast, the CVD process involves placing a tiny diamond seed in a chamber where a carbon-rich gas mixture is present. Carbon molecules gradually stick to the seed and form layers until a lab diamond is created.

Both processes yield real diamonds that are of good quality. At present, CVD grown diamonds are more common due to better quality control and relative cost-effectiveness.

Lab grown stones don't become cloudy or change color over time because they are authentic lab diamonds created using pure carbon, just like natural diamonds.

As long as the diamond gets regular cleaning and is not subjected to extreme conditions, the stone will maintain its brilliance for years into the future.

Indeed, a lab diamond is graded at renowned gemological labs. Usually, this is done by the International Gemological Institute (IGI), and sometimes by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

What many people don't know is that a lab diamond is graded just like a regular natural diamond. IGI is currently the most common choice for lab-grown diamonds and provides detailed grading reports that cover the 4Cs, the growth method (CVD or HPHT), and any post-growth treatments.

Lab grown diamonds are evaluated based on the same 4Cs specs that natural diamonds are: cut, color, clarity, and carat. This will allow for an easy comparison of the diamonds when choosing which diamond type to purchase.

What many buyers are not aware of is that respected, individual laboratories also evaluate lab stones according to the same criteria. Organizations like the IGI and the GIA evaluate lab diamonds to help ensure accuracy and transparency.

If you'd like a deeper explanation, you can also read our complete Lab Grown Diamond Grading Report Guide.

For many people, lab-grown diamonds are considered a more ethical choice compared to natural diamonds. They are produced in labs, which means they do not cause any massive disruptions to the land that would otherwise occur during regular mining operations. This is why most buyers opt for lab-grown diamonds when considering sustainability.

At the same time, energy use can vary depending on how the diamond is produced. Even so, lab diamonds are generally associated with lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to natural diamonds.

No, most likely not. In general, it is difficult to determine whether a diamond is a lab grown or a natural diamond just by its appearance, since doing so requires specialized equipment.

This is because both lab diamonds and natural diamonds are real diamonds and are nearly identical in appearance. The only reliable way to distinguish between the two is with specialized equipment.

Not always. Lab grown stones may contain inclusions and can be evaluated according to the same clarity grading system from Flawless (FL) to Included (I) as natural stones. Because the growth process is controlled, higher-clarity options are often more readily available. You can explore clarity grades across thousands of Rare Carat lab diamonds on our lab-grown diamond page.

Some CVD-grown lab diamonds receive post-growth treatment to improve color by removing a slight brown or gray tint. The treatment process is stable, permanent, and will not affect the strength, durability, or brilliance of the lab diamond in any way. Treated lab diamonds can be cleaned ultrasonically and safely worked on by jewelers without issue.

Lab diamonds are real diamonds created using carbon. As for Moissanite, it is neither a diamond nor even a diamond alternative; it is a silicon carbide gemstone.

It does resemble a diamond in appearance but exhibits a range of optical characteristics, such as rainbow-like flashes, that are not commonly seen in diamonds. Lab diamonds have the same brilliance, hardness, and fire as natural diamonds, making them visually and structurally identical.

A lab grown diamond is not usually viewed as a sound investment because, like other gems, they are purchased for wearing purposes as opposed to making profits from resale.

Their attraction lies in their value. For the most part, they make it possible for you to obtain superior-quality diamonds at a similar price to that of real diamonds. They are thus mostly selected based on beauty and value considerations rather than as an investment purchase.

Not at all. Lab-grown diamonds have the same hardness as natural diamonds, being rated at number 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. They are some of the toughest stones that make them suitable for use in engagement rings, among other types of jewelry.

This means that lab-grown diamonds do not scratch easily, as they are very hard and therefore durable.

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are an excellent choice for engagement rings because they offer the same brilliance, hardness, and durability as natural diamonds at a significantly lower price. This allows many buyers at Rare Carat to choose a larger or higher-quality diamond within the same budget while still getting a stone that will last a lifetime.

Diamonds that are produced through laboratory creation do not usually hold much resale value. The reason for this is that these diamonds can be made in a laboratory setting, whereas diamonds formed naturally are available only in certain places on Earth.

That said, lab diamonds are generally not bought with resale value in mind.

Lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are physically identical, but they differ in origin and price.

Feature	Lab-Grown Diamond	Natural Diamond
Origin	Created in a laboratory	Formed naturally in the earth
Price	Typically 60–80% cheaper	Higher due to natural rarity
Environmental Impact	Lower overall mining impact	Mining required
Visual Difference	No visible difference	No visible difference

Both diamond types (lab and natural diamond) have the same hardness, brilliance, and chemical composition.

Rare Carat is an online diamond retailer that helps buyers compare and purchase certified diamonds from trusted suppliers. Each diamond listed on Rare Carat includes grading reports from respected laboratories such as IGI or GIA, allowing shoppers to evaluate quality, price, and cut before purchasing.

We have dedicatedly worked hard to bring a high level of customer satisfaction to every buyer. Over the past two years, Rare Carat has been ranked #1 in the Jeweler category on Trustpilot, earning a 5.0 out of 5 rating from more than 3,000 verified customer reviews.

Platform	Trustpilot Rating
Rare Carat	5.0
Brilliant Earth	4.2
Blue Nile	3.9
James Allen	4.0

That consistency comes from focusing on what buyers actually care about—transparent pricing, certified diamonds, and responsive customer support. Because of this, Rare Carat has become one of the more trusted places to buy lab-grown diamonds online.