Lab grown diamond: everything you need to know

At SENSEI JEWELS, we are passionate about creating unique and special jewelry. While you may have discovered us through our jewelry inspired by manga, anime, and the video games we love, we also design classic pieces and custom jewelry. We love when you give us the opportunity to turn your ideas into reality and create jewelry that will represent unique and unforgettable moments.

In many of our designs, especially engagement rings and wedding bands, we use precious stones. When the possibility of incorporating a diamond arises and we suggest the idea, it is often assumed that it will be a very, very expensive option. And while it is true that natural diamonds are generally quite costly, there is a much more affordable alternative: lab-grown diamonds or synthetic diamonds.

What is a lab grown diamond?

The first thing we need to clarify is that lab-grown diamonds are not imitations. They are not stones that merely “resemble” diamonds, like cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are real diamonds, with the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as diamonds extracted from nature. The only difference lies in their origin: while natural diamonds form in the earth over millions of years, lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories under controlled conditions that replicate the pressure and temperature needed for carbon crystallization.

At first glance, a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond are identical. No one, not even a gemologist or a specialist, can distinguish them. There are differences in their formation (the molecular layers in lab-grown diamonds tend to be more uniform since they form under controlled conditions), but to detect these differences, specialized equipment is required (such as spectrometers or specific microscopes), meaning they cannot be identified by the naked eye.

Precisely because they are formed in a controlled environment, another advantage of lab-grown diamonds is that they typically have fewer inclusions than natural ones. This does not mean they are all “perfect”—they come in all varieties—but the manufacturing process allows for a higher level of clarity at a more accessible price.

Lab-grown diamonds also present themselves as a more ethical alternative to natural diamonds since they do not require mining, thus avoiding issues associated with extraction, such as environmental impact and labor conditions in some mining regions. However, it is true that the sustainability and ecological impact of lab-grown diamonds depend on the energy source used to produce them. For this reason, at SENSEI JEWELS, we strive to work with laboratories that use renewable energy and have a low environmental impact.

Another advantage is fancy diamonds, which are colored diamonds. At SENSEI, we love working with stones of all colors, but naturally occurring colored diamonds are very rare and, therefore, very expensive. Lab-grown fancy diamonds offer a much more affordable alternative, with a vast range of colors and a stunning sparkle.

What is the price difference?

Now, let’s get to an important topic: price. Lab-grown diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural ones, although the exact difference depends on the size, clarity, and quality of the stone. Generally, a lab-grown diamond can cost up to 80% less than its natural counterpart. This comes with several advantages: the first one, diamonds become more accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget. And the second one is that, for the same price that would have been destined to a natural diamond, you can get a larger or higher-quality diamond for the same price that would have been spent on a smaller natural diamond.

Which option should to choose?

The choice between a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond is completely personal, and we always respect each customer’s decision. We work with both options, though it is true that lab-grown diamonds are more affordable and can have a lower environmental impact, depending on how they are created. For this reason, we generally recommend them.

Whatever your choice may be, at SENSEI JEWELS, we will be delighted to guide you in finding—or creating together—the perfect piece of jewelry, whether it features lab-grown diamonds, natural diamonds, or any other precious stones you wish to use.