Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same carbon crystal structure, hardness, and optical properties as mined diamonds, and grading labs certify them using the same 4Cs. The only difference is origin: they are grown in a lab rather than mined.
If you have heard a lab-grown diamond called “fake” or “not a real diamond,” that is a misunderstanding of what the stone actually is. This guide clears it up, including where the word “real” causes confusion and what makes a lab-grown diamond different from a lookalike simulant.
Why a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond
A diamond is defined by what it is made of, not by where it comes from. A lab-grown diamond is pure carbon arranged in the same cubic crystal lattice as a mined diamond. That structure gives diamonds their defining traits: a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, the way they bend and return light, and their resistance to scratching.
The US Federal Trade Commission updated its Jewelry Guides in 2018 and removed the word “natural” from the definition of a diamond. The FTC also cautioned sellers against calling lab-grown diamonds “synthetic,” because the term can mislead shoppers into thinking the stone is not a real diamond.
Chemically, it is a diamond. Optically, it is a diamond. On a certificate, it is graded as a diamond.
The correct terms include lab-grown, laboratory-grown, and laboratory-created.
The “real” confusion, cleared up
“Real” gets used in two different ways, and mixing them is what starts the argument:
- Real as opposed to fake or imitation. By this meaning, a lab-grown diamond is real. It is genuine diamond, not a lookalike.
- Real as in mined from the earth. By this meaning, a lab-grown diamond is not mined, and no honest seller should suggest it is.
Both statements are true together: a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond, and it is not a mined diamond. Candor always makes clear that its diamonds are grown in a lab, because you deserve to know exactly what you are buying.
Real diamond vs. diamond simulant
A diamond simulant looks like a diamond but is made from a different material. Cubic zirconia and moissanite are two common examples. They are not diamonds and behave differently from diamonds. A lab-grown diamond is not a simulant, which is the core distinction behind most “is it real?” questions.
| Lab-grown diamond | Mined diamond | Moissanite | Cubic zirconia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Silicon carbide | Zirconium dioxide |
| Is it a diamond? | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 10 | 9.25 | ~8 |
| Passes a standard diamond tester | Yes | Yes | Sometimes flagged | No |
The takeaway is simple. Lab-grown and mined stones sit in the same category: real diamonds. Moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials and are classified as simulants.
Can anyone tell it is lab-grown?
Not by looking. A lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond of the same grade are identical to the naked eye, and a standard diamond tester reads both as diamond. Telling them apart requires specialized equipment in a grading lab, which can detect tiny differences in how the crystal grew. These are origin markers, not quality flaws, and they do not affect how the stone looks or wears.
Labs such as the GIA and IGI confirm origin and grade on their reports. Reputable lab-grown stones also carry a laser-inscribed report number that can be matched to the certificate.
The bottom line
A lab-grown diamond is genuine crystallized carbon, the same material as a mined diamond, with the same hardness, sparkle, and grading. It is a real diamond, not a simulant. The only fact to keep straight is that it was grown, not mined, and any honest seller will tell you so.
At Candor Diamonds, every stone is lab-grown and clearly labeled as such, with an IGI or GIA certificate available for verification. Backed by a lifetime warranty, free insured shipping, and 30-day returns, a Candor diamond is a real diamond you can buy with confidence in what it is.
Frequently asked questions
Are lab-grown diamonds real or fake?
Real. A lab-grown diamond is genuine crystallized carbon, the same material as a mined diamond, with the same hardness and optical properties. “Fake” stones are simulants such as cubic zirconia, which are made from different materials.
Will a jeweler know it is lab-grown?
Only with specialized equipment or by reading the certificate. By eye, a lab-grown and a mined diamond of the same grade look the same. Reputable stones are laser-inscribed with a report number that identifies their origin.
Is a lab-grown diamond the same as cubic zirconia?
No. Cubic zirconia is a simulant made of zirconium dioxide, a softer and different material. A lab-grown diamond is genuine carbon-based diamond and is significantly harder and more durable.
Why shouldn’t lab-grown diamonds be called synthetic?
The FTC has cautioned that “synthetic” can mislead buyers into thinking a lab-grown stone is not a real diamond. Preferred terms include lab-grown, laboratory-grown, and laboratory-created.
Do lab-grown diamonds last as long as mined diamonds?
Yes. Both are 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, so a lab-grown diamond resists scratching and can maintain its appearance for a lifetime with normal care.
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