Yes — lab grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They have the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same hardness (a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale), and the same optical brilliance as mined diamonds. The Federal Trade Commission, GIA, and IGI all officially classify them as real diamonds. Even a trained gemologist cannot distinguish a lab grown diamond from a mined one by eye or with standard jewelry tools. This guide answers the question fully — with the science, the certifications, the side-by-side comparisons, and the honest answers to every follow-up question buyers actually ask.
Last updated: April 2026 by the Mohana Jewels editorial team.
The short answer: yes, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds
This is the most common question we get, and the answer is unambiguous. A lab grown diamond is a real diamond — chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond in every measurable way. The only difference is origin: a lab grown diamond is created in a controlled laboratory in 4-10 weeks, while a mined diamond formed in the earth over billions of years.
The end result is identical. Same hardness. Same brilliance. Same fire. Same density. Same refractive index. Same dispersion. Same chemical formula (C, pure carbon). Same crystal structure. Same response to a diamond tester. Same GIA and IGI grading framework.
This isn't a marketing claim — it's a regulatory and scientific fact, agreed on by the gemological authorities, the trade industry, and the U.S. federal government.
Who officially classifies lab grown diamonds as real diamonds?
Every authority that matters in the jewelry industry has confirmed lab grown diamonds are real diamonds:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2018, the FTC updated its Jewelry Guides to officially recognize lab grown diamonds as real diamonds. The agency removed the word "natural" from its definition of "diamond," explicitly acknowledging that diamonds can be either mined or laboratory-grown.
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The world's most respected diamond grading authority issues full grading reports for lab grown diamonds using the same 4Cs framework (cut, color, clarity, carat) as mined diamonds. The certificate clearly identifies the stone as "Laboratory Grown" for transparency.
- IGI (International Gemological Institute). The world's largest gemological grading laboratory grades millions of lab grown diamonds annually. IGI certificates use the same 4Cs scale as mined diamonds and explicitly identify the stone's origin.
- GCAL (Gem Certification and Assurance Lab). Provides additional grading and authentication for both lab grown and mined diamonds.
- The Federation of European Jewellery. Recognizes lab grown diamonds as real diamonds under European industry standards.
If a retailer ever tries to tell you lab grown diamonds aren't "real" diamonds, they're contradicting both the federal government and every major gemological authority.
Will a diamond tester recognize a lab grown diamond as real?
Yes. A standard diamond tester — the small handheld device most jewelers use to authenticate diamonds — measures thermal conductivity. Diamonds conduct heat faster than virtually any other material, which is how the tester distinguishes them from imitations like cubic zirconia.
Because lab grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds (pure carbon in diamond crystal structure), they conduct heat exactly the same way. A standard diamond tester will read a lab grown diamond as a real diamond — because it is one. This is the same reason a lab grown diamond passes any standard authentication test you'd encounter at a jewelry store, pawn shop, or insurance appraiser.
Lab grown diamonds vs fake diamonds: knowing the difference
The biggest source of confusion is that "lab grown diamonds" sometimes get lumped together with "diamond simulants" — which are completely different products. A simulant is something that LOOKS like a diamond but is made of an entirely different material. Lab grown diamonds ARE diamonds. Here's the side-by-side breakdown:
| Stone type | Real diamond? | Composition | Mohs hardness | Price vs natural diamond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lab grown diamond | Yes — identical to natural | Pure carbon (C) | 10/10 | 60-80% less |
| Natural (mined) diamond | Yes | Pure carbon (C) | 10/10 | Baseline |
| Moissanite | No — different material | Silicon carbide (SiC) | 9.25/10 | ~90% less |
| Cubic zirconia (CZ) | No — different material | Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) | 8.5/10 | ~99% less |
| White sapphire | No — different material | Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) | 9/10 | ~95% less |
| White topaz | No — different material | Aluminum silicate | 8/10 | ~98% less |
Lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are the SAME material. Moissanite, cubic zirconia, white sapphire, and white topaz are all different materials that are designed to look like diamonds. They're imitations. Lab grown diamonds are not.
Are lab grown diamonds GIA or IGI certified?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are graded and certified using exactly the same 4Cs framework as mined diamonds, by the same gemological authorities. A GIA-certified lab grown diamond receives:
- Cut grade (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor)
- Color grade (D through Z)
- Clarity grade (Flawless through I3)
- Carat weight (measured to the hundredth)
- Polish and symmetry grades
- Fluorescence reading
- Origin identification ("Laboratory Grown" appears clearly on the certificate)
- Laser inscription on the diamond's girdle (a unique microscopic ID number that matches the certificate)
At Mohana Jewels, every center stone comes with full IGI or GIA certification. The certificate is your guarantee of the diamond's exact specifications and origin. Read our complete guide to the 4Cs and diamond certification.
What's the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?
Origin only. Everything else is identical. Here's the honest breakdown:
What's the same
- Chemical composition (pure carbon)
- Crystal structure (cubic, identical lattice)
- Hardness (10 on the Mohs scale — the hardest natural substance known)
- Refractive index (2.42 — identical light-bending property)
- Dispersion (the spectral fire — identical)
- Density (3.52 g/cm³)
- Thermal conductivity (identical — passes any diamond tester)
- Visual appearance (indistinguishable to the naked eye and even under 10x magnification)
- Durability (will last forever, identically)
- Grading scale (same 4Cs, same authorities)
What's different
- Formation timeline. Natural: 1-3 billion years. Lab grown: 4-10 weeks.
- Formation location. Natural: deep in the earth's mantle, brought to the surface by volcanic activity. Lab grown: in a controlled laboratory environment using HPHT or CVD methods.
- Trace inclusions and growth patterns. Microscopic differences detectable only with specialized gemological equipment (GIA iD100, DiamondView). Invisible under normal examination.
- Price. Lab grown costs 60-80% less than mined diamonds of equivalent specifications.
- Environmental impact. Lab grown has a dramatically smaller environmental and ethical footprint.
The differences that matter for everyday wear: none. The differences that matter for your wallet, your conscience, and the planet: significant. Read our complete lab grown vs mined diamond comparison.
Why are lab grown diamonds so much more affordable?
Mined diamond prices reflect:
- Decades of marketing infrastructure (the famous "diamond is forever" campaign)
- A multi-tier wholesale distribution chain (mining → cutter → wholesaler → retailer)
- Mining operation costs (equipment, labor, infrastructure, environmental remediation)
- Artificial scarcity controls maintained by mining cartels for much of the 20th century
Lab grown diamonds avoid all of this. They're produced on demand, with predictable quality, and sold through shorter supply chains. The technology to grow gem-quality diamonds is now mature enough that production costs are predictable and have stabilized. The savings flow back to you — the same diamond, the same certification, at a fraction of the cost.
Do lab grown diamonds last as long as mined diamonds?
Yes — they last forever, identically. Diamonds are the hardest naturally-occurring substance, rated 10/10 on the Mohs scale. They resist scratching, chipping, and wear better than any other gemstone. A lab grown diamond will look as brilliant 50 years from now as it does the day you buy it, the same as a mined diamond.
The only practical maintenance any diamond engagement ring needs is periodic cleaning to remove the film of oils and grime that builds up from daily wear, plus an occasional check on the prongs holding the diamond in place. See our complete cleaning and care guide for the basics.
Are lab grown diamonds ethical?
Yes — and this is one of the strongest arguments for choosing lab grown over mined.
- 100% conflict-free. Lab grown diamonds are created in laboratories, not extracted from regions where diamond mining can fund armed conflict or human rights abuses. The "blood diamond" issue does not exist with lab grown.
- Fully traceable. Every lab grown diamond can be traced from grower to setting. Mined diamonds, even those certified through the Kimberley Process, often have opaque supply chains.
- No displaced communities. Lab production has zero impact on rural and indigenous communities that have historically been displaced by diamond mining operations.
- Smaller environmental footprint. No land disruption, dramatically less water use, and lower carbon footprint when grown with renewable energy (which the leading labs increasingly use).
For shoppers who care that their fine jewelry reflects their values, lab grown diamonds are currently the only option that delivers true diamond beauty without ethical and environmental trade-offs. Read our full sustainability story.
The final verdict: yes, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds
The science is clear. The regulators agree. The grading authorities agree. The trade industry agrees. The only people still claiming lab grown diamonds aren't "real" are those with a financial interest in selling mined diamonds — and the FTC's 2018 ruling explicitly prohibited that misleading framing.
Lab grown diamonds offer the same sparkle, the same structure, the same brilliance, the same certification, and the same lifetime durability as mined diamonds — at 60-80% less cost, with a clear ethical advantage. Whether you're shopping for an engagement ring, a wedding band, fine earrings, or a special-occasion gift, lab grown is a smart, modern choice that doesn't compromise on quality, beauty, or elegance.
Real. Ethical. Brilliant.
Ready to see them in person? Browse our certified lab grown diamond engagement ring collection, view our best-selling pieces, or contact us for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Are lab grown diamonds real or fake?
Lab grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They have the exact same chemical composition (pure carbon), crystal structure, hardness, and optical properties as mined diamonds. The FTC officially classifies them as real diamonds.
Will a diamond tester recognize a lab grown diamond?
Yes. A standard diamond tester, which detects thermal conductivity, will register lab grown diamonds as real diamonds — because they ARE diamonds. They're not cubic zirconia or moissanite imitations.
Are lab grown diamonds certified by GIA or IGI?
Yes. Both GIA and IGI grade lab grown diamonds using the same 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) framework as mined diamonds. The certification confirms the stone's authenticity, origin, and quality grade.
What's the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?
Origin only. Natural diamonds form in the earth over billions of years; lab grown form in controlled labs over 4-10 weeks. The end result is chemically and visually identical — even gemologists can't tell them apart by eye.
Do lab grown diamonds last as long as mined diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds share the same 10/10 Mohs hardness as mined diamonds. They will last forever, resist scratching, and maintain their brilliance with normal care — just like mined diamonds.