Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically identical to natural diamonds. They are real diamonds. The only difference is origin: a lab grown diamond is created in a controlled environment using advanced technology, while a natural diamond is formed deep within the earth over billions of years. Both display the same brilliance, fire, and hardness, and both are graded and certified to the same independent standards.

At Si Vis Amari, we work with lab grown diamonds every day. We hold a curated selection of loose stones at our Manchester studios in Didsbury and the city centre, available to view by appointment. We apply the same rigorous selection process to every lab grown diamond that we would to a natural stone, because the same rules apply. A poorly cut lab diamond is still a poorly cut diamond. Our role is to ensure you never end up with one.

 

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds go by several names. You may see them referred to as lab created diamonds, lab made diamonds, engineered diamonds, manufactured diamonds, or even synthetic diamonds. These all describe the same thing: a diamond grown in a laboratory rather than mined from the ground. The term “synthetic” is technically accurate but falling out of favour across the industry because it implies the stone is somehow artificial or imitation. It is not. A lab grown diamond has the same carbon crystal structure, the same refractive index, and the same hardness as any diamond pulled from the earth.

Two methods are used to grow diamonds in a laboratory: CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature). Both produce genuine diamonds. The method used does not affect the finished stone’s appearance or durability, though it can influence certain characteristics that a trained gemmologist will look for during selection.

How We Select Our Lab Grown Diamonds

A certificate tells you what a diamond is. It does not tell you how beautiful it is. Two diamonds with identical grades on paper can look completely different in person, which is why we assess every stone individually before it enters our collection. This is the difference between buying a diamond and choosing one.

Cut quality above everything. The cut grade is the single biggest factor in how much a diamond sparkles. We only work with Excellent and Ideal cut grades, but we go further than the certificate. We assess the stone’s proportions, symmetry, and light performance in person. A diamond can receive an Excellent grade on paper and still look dull if the proportions fall at the edges of the acceptable range. We reject stones that technically pass but visually underperform.

Colour and tinge. Our standard lab grown diamonds are graded D or E colour, the highest colourless grades. But colour grading on a certificate does not always tell the full story. Some lab grown diamonds, particularly those produced by certain HPHT processes, can carry a subtle brown or blue tinge that is not captured in the letter grade. We check every stone for abnormal tint under controlled lighting before we accept it.

Spread and proportions. Carat weight measures mass, not size. Two 1ct diamonds can differ noticeably in how large they appear face-up depending on how the weight is distributed. A stone that carries excess weight in the pavilion (the bottom half) will appear smaller than its carat weight suggests. We assess the spread of every diamond to ensure you get the visual size you expect for the carat weight you are paying for.

Girdle thickness on pointed shapes. This matters more than most people realise, particularly on shapes with delicate points like princess, marquise, and pear cut diamonds. If the girdle is too thin at the points, the diamond is vulnerable to chipping during setting or everyday wear. We check girdle thickness at the points on every fancy shape diamond and reject stones where the risk is too high, regardless of what the certificate says.

Fancy shape assessment. Round diamonds have a standardised cut grade. Fancy shapes do not. There is no “Excellent” cut grade for an oval, a cushion, or an emerald cut. That means the selection process relies entirely on the jeweller’s eye and experience. We assess bow-tie visibility in ovals and marquise cuts, windowing in emerald and radiant shapes, and the overall balance and symmetry of every fancy shape stone individually. This is not something that can be done from a website or a certificate alone.

CVD and HPHT: Two Methods, One Result

CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) places a thin diamond seed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gas, typically methane. The gas is superheated until the carbon atoms separate and settle onto the seed, building up layer by layer into a rough diamond crystal. CVD diamonds tend to grow as flat plates and are often post-treated with HPHT processing to improve their colour.

HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) replicates the conditions found deep within the earth. A small diamond seed is placed in a press alongside a carbon source and a metallic catalyst. The press applies extreme pressure and temperatures exceeding 1,400°C, causing the carbon to crystallise around the seed. HPHT was the original method for creating gem-quality lab diamonds and remains widely used today.

Both methods produce real diamonds with identical physical properties. The method used is recorded on the diamond’s grading report. In both cases, the finished rough is cut and polished by the same craftspeople, using the same techniques, as natural rough diamond. The result is a polished stone that is indistinguishable from a mined diamond without specialist laboratory equipment.

Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings

Lab grown diamonds have transformed what is possible within a given budget for an engagement ring. Because lab diamonds cost significantly less than natural stones of the same grade, you can choose a larger or higher quality diamond without the price tag that would come with a mined stone. Many of our customers choose 1.5 to 2 carat lab grown diamonds where they might have considered 0.7 to 1 carat in a natural diamond.

Every engagement ring in our collection is available with a lab grown diamond. Choose from solitaire, hidden halo, halo, vintage, shoulder set, and trilogy settings, each handcrafted in platinum or 18ct gold. Use the configurator on any product page to select your diamond shape, carat weight, and metal, with pricing that updates live as you build your ring.

We offer nine diamond shapes: round, oval, cushion, emerald, pear, radiant, marquise, princess, and Asscher. Each shape interacts differently with the setting, and our selection process accounts for the specific requirements of each cut. Browse our full engagement ring collection or book an appointment to view loose stones in person at either of our Manchester studios.

Lab Grown Diamond Wedding Rings

Lab diamonds are not just for engagement rings. Diamond-set wedding rings, eternity bands, and anniversary rings all benefit from the same cost advantage. A full eternity band set with lab grown diamonds delivers the same continuous sparkle as a natural diamond version at a fraction of the cost, making it a practical choice for a ring that will be worn every day.

Our plain wedding ring collection is designed to sit flush against our engagement ring settings. If you are looking for a diamond-set wedding band or eternity ring, get in touch to discuss options. We source and set lab grown melee diamonds (the smaller accent stones used in wedding bands) to the same standards as our centre stones.

Certification: GIA and IGI

Every lab grown diamond we work with is independently certified. Our lab grown diamonds are graded by either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Both provide an objective assessment of the diamond’s colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight, along with a unique report number that can be verified online.

For natural diamonds, we exclusively use GIA certification, as it is widely regarded as the most consistent and conservative grading authority in the industry. Lab grown diamonds certified by either GIA or IGI carry a laser inscription on the girdle, visible under magnification, that identifies the stone and links it to its grading report. This inscription also confirms that the diamond is lab grown, ensuring full transparency.

As members of the National Association of Jewellers, we adhere to strict ethical and professional standards. Every ring we produce is hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay Office in accordance with UK law.

Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds

We offer both lab grown and natural diamonds because the right choice depends on what matters most to you. There is no wrong answer.

Lab grown diamonds offer exceptional value. You will get a larger, higher-grade diamond for the same budget compared to a natural stone. For many of our customers, the ability to choose a 2 carat D-colour lab diamond at the price of a smaller natural stone is the deciding factor.

Natural diamonds carry the weight of geological rarity. Each one formed over billions of years under conditions that no longer exist in the same way. Some customers value that story and the long-term investment potential that natural diamonds have historically offered. We source natural diamonds individually to your specification, with GIA certification as standard.

The physical differences between the two? None. A lab grown diamond and a natural diamond of the same grade are indistinguishable to the naked eye, to a jeweller’s loupe, and to every standard piece of gemmological testing equipment. The only way to tell them apart is with specialist laboratory equipment that detects trace growth patterns specific to each formation method. For all practical purposes, they are the same stone.

If you are unsure which is right for you, book a consultation at our Didsbury or city centre studio. We will walk you through both options with loose stones in hand so you can compare for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are synthetic diamonds the same as lab grown diamonds?

Yes. Synthetic diamond is an older term for what the industry now calls lab grown diamonds. They are the same thing: real diamonds created in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth. The term “synthetic” has fallen out of common use because it can be confused with simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are not diamonds. A lab grown diamond is a real diamond with the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as a natural stone.

What is the difference between lab created and lab grown diamonds?

There is no difference. Lab created diamonds, lab grown diamonds, lab made diamonds, engineered diamonds, and manufactured diamonds are all terms for the same product. The most widely used term in the industry today is “lab grown,” but all of these names refer to a genuine diamond produced in a controlled laboratory environment using either CVD or HPHT technology.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically identical to natural diamonds. They are composed of pure carbon in a cubic crystal structure, they score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, and they display the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation. They are certified by the same independent laboratories (GIA and IGI) and are classified as diamonds under UK trading standards.

Are man made diamonds the same as lab grown?

Yes. “Man made diamond” is another term for a lab grown diamond. All of these terms describe a genuine diamond created through technology rather than geological processes. The stone itself is identical in every measurable way to a mined diamond.

Are engineered diamonds real?

Yes. Engineered diamond is a less common term for lab grown diamonds. Like all lab grown diamonds, they are real diamonds with the same properties as natural stones. The term “engineered” simply refers to the fact that the growth process is controlled and directed by human technology.

Are lab grown diamonds GIA certified?

Lab grown diamonds can be certified by both the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the IGI (International Gemological Institute). Both organisations provide independent grading reports that assess colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Every lab grown diamond we work with at Si Vis Amari carries either a GIA or IGI certificate, and each stone is laser-inscribed with its report number for verification.

How much do lab grown diamonds cost compared to natural?

Lab grown diamonds typically cost significantly less than natural diamonds of equivalent size and grade. The exact saving depends on the carat weight and specifications, but as a general guide, you can expect to get a noticeably larger or higher quality lab grown diamond for the same budget as a smaller natural stone. Use the configurator on any of our engagement ring pages to see live pricing for lab grown options.

Can you tell the difference between a lab grown diamond and a natural diamond?

Not with the naked eye, and not with standard gemmological equipment. A lab grown diamond and a natural diamond of the same grade look identical. The only way to distinguish them is with advanced spectroscopic equipment found in grading laboratories, which detects trace growth patterns unique to each formation method. Every lab grown diamond also carries a laser inscription on the girdle confirming its origin.

What should I look for when buying a lab grown diamond?

The same things you would look for in any diamond: cut quality first and foremost, then colour, clarity, and carat weight. Beyond the certificate, pay attention to the stone’s spread (how large it appears face-up relative to its carat weight), check for any abnormal tint that might not show on the grading report, and for pointed shapes like princess, marquise, and pear, ensure the girdle is not too thin at the points. This is why we encourage customers to view stones in person at our Manchester studios rather than buying from a certificate alone.

Can I see loose lab grown diamonds in Manchester?

Yes. We hold a selection of loose lab grown diamonds at both of our Manchester studios, in Didsbury and the city centre. Appointments are available by calling or emailing us. During a consultation you can view and compare loose stones under proper lighting, assess their sparkle and proportions in person, and discuss your requirements with us directly. Book an appointment to arrange a viewing.

Do you sell lab grown diamond engagement rings?

Yes. Every engagement ring in our collection is available with a certified lab grown diamond. We offer solitaire, hidden halo, halo, vintage, shoulder set, and trilogy designs, each handcrafted in platinum or 18ct gold. Use the configurator on any product page to choose your shape, carat weight, and metal. Browse our engagement ring collection.

Do you sell lab grown diamond wedding rings?

Yes. We offer diamond-set wedding bands and eternity rings with lab grown diamonds. Our plain wedding rings are designed to sit flush with our engagement ring settings, and we can create diamond-set bands to complement any ring in our collection. Get in touch to discuss lab diamond wedding ring options.

What is the difference between CVD and HPHT lab diamonds?

CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) grows diamonds by depositing carbon atoms from a gas onto a seed crystal in a low-pressure chamber. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) uses extreme pressure and heat to crystallise carbon around a seed, replicating conditions found deep within the earth. Both methods produce real diamonds with identical physical properties. The method is recorded on the grading certificate. We select stones based on their finished quality, not the growth method.

Are lab grown diamonds a good choice for an engagement ring?

For many of our customers, lab grown diamonds represent the best value available in a certified diamond engagement ring. You get a stone that is physically identical to a natural diamond, independently certified, and set into a handcrafted ring hallmarked in accordance with UK law. The cost savings allow you to choose a larger or higher quality stone than you might otherwise consider. If long-term resale value is a priority, natural diamonds may be worth considering, and we are happy to discuss both options during a consultation.