Key Takeaways:
- Real By Every Measure: A lab-grown diamond shares the same chemical composition, hardness, and optical properties as a mined diamond.
- Graded The Same Way: Lab-grown diamonds are graded by independent labs such as IGI on the same cut, color, clarity, and carat scale as natural stones.
- Worth Every Penny: Lab-grown diamonds deliver the full diamond experience at a significantly lower price than mined, with zero compromise on quality.
Yes, a lab grown diamond is a real diamond. That question comes up more than it should, which is why we are answering it here before anything else.
At Aurate, transparent education is not a talking point. It is the reason our customers come back. We offer both lab-grown and natural diamonds, and we make sure you know exactly what each one is before you decide. We have priced our lab-grown pieces honestly, set them in solid gold and sterling silver, and built a collection that spans from $248 to well into the thousands, all without asking you to guess what you are buying.
This piece covers what a lab-grown diamond is, what makes it real, how it differs from simulants, and how to find the right piece for you.
The Straightforward Answer
A lab-grown diamond is made of carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal lattice structure, identical to every mined diamond on Earth. That structure gives a diamond its hardness, its brilliance, and its ability to interact with light the way no other stone does. The GIA recognizes lab-grown diamonds as diamonds, not simulants, not alternatives.
Is A Lab Grown Diamond A Real Diamond?
Independent labs such as IGI grade lab-grown diamonds on the same four criteria as mined stones: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Since late 2025, GIA classifies lab-grown diamonds as Premium or Standard instead of assigning individual color and clarity grades, and still identifies them as diamonds. A lab-grown diamond receives a grading report the same way a mined stone does. The origin is noted, but the classification does not change. Our lab grown diamonds collection is built on that standard.
What The Jewelry Industry Says
The Federal Trade Commission updated its guidelines in 2018 to confirm that lab-grown diamonds are diamonds, removing the term “synthetic” because it implied the stone was not real. A qualifier like “lab-grown” describes origin, not quality.
Why Clarity Matters Here
At Aurate, we believe buyers deserve a clear answer. We sell lab-grown diamonds because they are real diamonds at a more accessible price point. We sell natural diamonds too, for buyers who want that origin. Both are real. Both are fine jewelry.
Where Lab Grown Diamonds Come From
Understanding the origin is what makes the “real diamond” answer land with confidence.
Replicating What Happens Underground
Natural diamonds form deep within the earth’s mantle under extreme heat and pressure over millions of years. Lab-grown diamonds recreate diamond-forming conditions using either HPHT or CVD technology, building a new diamond atom by atom around a diamond seed. The process takes weeks, but the stone it produces is identical. Our solid 18K gold jewelry is crafted to hold stones grown to that standard.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real When Put To The Test
When a gemologist tests a lab-grown diamond, they find the same crystal structure, the same refractive index, and the same Mohs hardness rating of 10. Only specialized equipment designed to detect trace element differences can identify the origin. To standard gemological tools, a lab grown diamond is a diamond.
How Long The Process Takes
Most lab-grown diamonds take between two and four weeks to grow, depending on the size and method used. That efficiency makes production scalable, which is a significant reason lab-grown diamonds cost less than mined ones. The stone is not less. The process of making it costs less.
What Sets Lab Grown Diamonds Apart From Other Stones
- Lab Grown vs. Simulants: A simulant like cubic zirconia is designed to look like a diamond but is a different material entirely. A lab grown diamond is not a simulant.
- Hardness Comparison: Lab-grown diamonds score 10 on the Mohs scale. Cubic zirconia scores around 8.5. The difference matters for daily wear.
- Grading Standards: Lab-grown diamonds receive diamond grading reports from labs such as IGI and GIA. Simulants do not, because they are not held to the same criteria.
- Price Positioning: Lab-grown diamonds cost less than mined diamonds because production is more efficient, not because the stone is of lesser value.
- Our Standard: We carry lab-grown diamond jewelry alongside natural diamonds because both meet the fine jewelry standard we hold our entire collection to.
The Case For Wearing Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds offer full quality and full transparency at a price that requires no compromise.
What You Gain On Price
A lab-grown diamond costs significantly less than a mined diamond of comparable size and quality. The savings go toward what you want: a larger diamond, a matching wedding band, or the life you are building together. At Aurate, our Two-In-One Lab Grown Diamond Eternity Ring in 14K solid gold starts at $1,998, and our Lab Grown Diamond Bezel Lariat in sterling silver starts at $318. Our solid 14K gold jewelry settings match them in the same standard of craftsmanship.
Full Transparency On What You Are Buying
Every Aurate product page lists the stone type, setting metal, and quality grade. Our pricing reflects the stone's value in a direct-to-consumer model that removes the middleman markup entirely.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Worth It
For buyers who want a real diamond at a price that respects their budget, yes. Our Lab Grown Diamond Wave Tennis Necklace in 14K solid gold at $3,658 and our Mini Two-In-One Lab Grown Diamond Eternity Ring in 14K solid gold starting at $1,098 show what that looks like across the range.
Finding The Right Lab Grown Diamond Piece
The right piece depends on how you wear jewelry and what you want it to say.
Rings, Earrings, And Everyday Staples
For everyday wear, studs and bands in solid gold are the most practical choice. Diamond earrings are loved for the sparkle and reflection they bring to your complexion, catching the light and brightening your whole look. Our Lab Grown Diamond Eternity Stud Earrings in 14K solid gold start at $898 per pair. For something more expressive, our Bold Lab-Grown Diamond Baguette Ring in 14K solid gold, priced at $1,478, features a distinctive silhouette in a solid gold setting.
The Metal That Frames Your Stone
Solid gold carries a diamond best: 14K for everyday durability, 18K for a richer color. Aurate’s solid gold is made with recycled gold. For a durable entry point into the Aurate range, our stainless steel jewelry sits at the most accessible price in our collection.
Building A Collection That Lasts
A lab-grown diamond in solid gold is built to outlast trends. Starting with one strong piece, whether a pair of studs, a tennis bracelet, or a ring, gives you a foundation to build from. Lab-grown pricing makes intentional collecting realistic. Mark the promotion or the finished marathon with a piece you chose for yourself.
Final Thoughts
A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond, confirmed by science, graded by independent labs, and recognized by the FTC. The origin is different. Everything else is the same. At Aurate, we carry lab-grown diamonds because they belong in a fine jewelry collection built on honesty. Every piece is named clearly, priced fairly, and set in materials you know the exact karat of before you buy. If you have been wondering whether lab grown diamonds are worth it, the answer is in the stone itself. Shop our lab-grown diamond collection and find the piece that reflects where you are and where you’re going.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lab Grown Diamonds
Does the GIA grade lab grown diamonds the same way as mined ones?
Not anymore. Since late 2025, GIA classifies lab-grown diamonds as Premium or Standard rather than assigning individual color and clarity grades. IGI still grades lab-grown diamonds on the same cut, color, clarity, and carat scale as mined diamonds.
Is a lab grown diamond considered fine jewelry?
Yes. At Aurate, all lab-grown diamond pieces are set in solid gold or sterling silver and meet the fine jewelry standard.
Can a jeweler tell a lab-grown diamond from a mined one?
Not with standard tools. Only specialized equipment designed to detect trace element differences can identify the origin.
Do lab grown diamonds come with a warranty at Aurate?
Yes. All Aurate pieces come with a lifetime warranty, including our lab-grown diamond collection.
How is a lab grown diamond different from cubic zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is a simulant made from zirconium dioxide. A lab grown diamond is carbon and a real diamond in every measurable way.
Are lab grown diamonds a good choice for engagement rings?
Yes. Several pieces in our lab-grown diamond collection are designed specifically for engagement, in solid 14K gold.
