Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamonds
If you've started shopping for an engagement ring recently, you've probably come across the term "lab grown diamond" and found yourself wondering — are they real? Are they worth it? And why are so many jewelers switching to them? These are great questions, and we're going to answer all of them honestly and thoroughly. Spoiler alert: we sell exclusively lab grown diamonds at Anjays Designs, and by the end of this page, you'll understand exactly why.
First Things First — Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally yes.
A lab grown diamond is not a simulant like cubic zirconia or moissanite. It is not a fake, a replica, or an imitation. A lab grown diamond is a real diamond — composed of the exact same carbon crystal structure as a mined diamond, with the exact same physical, chemical, and optical properties.
The only difference between a lab grown diamond and a mined diamond is where it was created. One formed deep within the earth over billions of years. The other was grown in a controlled laboratory environment over a matter of weeks, using technology that replicates the extreme heat and pressure of the earth's mantle.
Put a lab grown diamond and a mined diamond side by side, and even the most experienced gemologist cannot tell them apart with the naked eye. They are, for all practical purposes, identical.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
There are two primary methods used to create lab grown diamonds:
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
This method replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the earth. A diamond seed is placed in a chamber and subjected to extreme pressure and temperature — around 1,500°C and 1.5 million pounds per square inch. Carbon atoms bond to the seed and a diamond crystal grows.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
In this method, a diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is ionized into plasma, causing carbon atoms to deposit onto the seed layer by layer, growing a diamond crystal from the top down.
Both methods produce genuine diamonds. The resulting stones are then cut, polished, and graded by independent gemological laboratories — just like mined diamonds — using the same 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: A Side by Side Comparison
| Category | Lab Grown Diamond | Natural Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure carbon crystal | Pure carbon crystal |
| Hardness | 10 (Mohs scale) | 10 (Mohs scale) |
| Brilliance | Identical | Identical |
| Certified | Yes (IGI, GIA) | Yes (GIA, AGS) |
| Price | 50–80% less | Full market price |
| Environmental Impact | Significantly lower | High — mining required |
| Ethical Concerns | None | Conflict diamonds possible |
| Resale Value | Lower | Higher |
The Price Difference Is Significant — And Real
This is where lab grown diamonds become very hard to argue against. A lab grown diamond typically costs 50 to 80% less than a comparable mined diamond of the same cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
What does that mean in practice? It means the budget you had for a 1 carat mined diamond can now get you a stunning 2 or even 3 carat lab grown diamond — with money to spare for a more intricate setting, a matching wedding band, or simply kept in your pocket.
At Anjays Designs, this price advantage is something we are deeply committed to passing on to our customers. We believe everyone deserves a breathtaking engagement ring, and lab grown diamonds make that possible at a price point that doesn't require years of saving or going into debt.
The Environmental Case for Lab Grown Diamonds
For the eco-conscious buyer, this may be the most compelling argument of all.
Diamond mining is an environmentally intensive process. A single mined diamond requires the excavation of hundreds of tonnes of earth, consumes enormous amounts of water and energy, and can cause significant disruption to local ecosystems and communities. The diamond mining industry has also historically been linked to human rights concerns — so-called conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, which have funded armed conflict in parts of Africa.
Lab grown diamonds sidestep all of this. They require no mining, no land disruption, and no displacement of communities. While the laboratory process does consume energy, many producers are moving toward renewable energy sources, making the footprint smaller with every passing year.
For a couple who loves nature — the kind of couple drawn to a vine-wrapped Celtic ring or a floral nature inspired setting — choosing a lab grown diamond is a way of putting your values into the very symbol of your commitment.
What About Resale Value?
We believe in being completely transparent here: lab grown diamonds do have lower resale value than mined diamonds. The price of lab grown diamonds has decreased significantly over the past decade as production technology has improved, and this trend is likely to continue.
However, we'd gently challenge the premise of the question. An engagement ring is not a financial investment — it is a symbol of love, commitment, and a life shared together. Very few people sell their engagement rings, and those who do rarely recoup anything close to the original purchase price regardless of whether the diamond is lab grown or mined.
What you are investing in is the experience of wearing a beautiful, meaningful ring every day for the rest of your life. And on that measure, a lab grown diamond delivers everything a mined diamond does — at a fraction of the cost.
Why Anjays Designs Exclusively Uses Lab Grown Diamonds
When we decided to build our jewelry collection around lab grown diamonds, it wasn't just a business decision — it was a values decision.
We design rings for people who think differently. Our customers are drawn to nature inspired settings, Celtic symbolism, and handcrafted details that tell a story. They are intentional shoppers who care about where things come from and what they stand for. Lab grown diamonds align perfectly with that ethos — they are smart, beautiful, ethical, and accessible.
Every lab grown diamond we use is IGI certified, meaning it has been independently graded by the International Gemological Institute for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. You'll never have to guess at the quality of your stone — every detail is documented and verified.
Ready to Find Your Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring?
Now that you know everything there is to know about lab grown diamonds, the only thing left to do is find the ring that makes your heart stop. Browse our full collection of lab grown diamond engagement rings — from timeless solitaires to handcrafted Celtic designs to nature inspired masterpieces — and find the one that was made for you.