Debunking 5 Common Myths About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds have been available for decades, but widespread consumer access is relatively recent — which means a lot of misinformation has had time to accumulate. Here are the five myths we hear most often, and what's actually true.
Myth 1: Lab-grown diamonds aren't real diamonds
This is the most persistent myth, and it's simply wrong. A lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically and optically identical to a mined diamond. Both are made of carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal structure. The only difference is where they formed — underground over millions of years, or in a controlled laboratory environment over a few weeks.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) both grade and certify lab-grown diamonds using the same criteria as mined stones.
Myth 2: You can tell the difference with the naked eye
You cannot. Even experienced jewellers using standard equipment cannot reliably distinguish a lab-grown diamond from a mined one. Specialised equipment can detect differences in how diamonds grew, but the visual result — the sparkle, the brilliance, the fire — is indistinguishable.
Myth 3: Lab-grown diamonds are just like cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconia is a diamond simulant — a different material that looks somewhat similar to a diamond. It's made of zirconium dioxide, not carbon. Its hardness, refractive index, and durability are all significantly different from a diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are not simulants. They are diamonds.
Myth 4: Lab-grown diamonds don't hold their value
This one is partly true and worth being honest about. The resale value of lab-grown diamonds has declined as production costs have dropped and supply has increased. However, the same is true of most luxury goods, and mined diamond resale values have also softened considerably. An engagement ring is generally not a financial investment — it's a personal one. Buying lab-grown means you can afford a better diamond for your budget, which is the relevant calculation.
Myth 5: Lab-grown diamonds are a new, unproven technology
HPHT technology for growing diamonds has existed since the 1950s. CVD diamond production has been refined over decades. The gem-quality production now available to consumers is the result of seventy years of development. It's not experimental — it's mature technology that produces consistent, high-quality results.
If you have more questions about lab-grown diamonds, our education page covers the key topics in detail. Or browse our ring collection to see what an IGI certified lab-grown diamond looks like in a finished ring.
If you're ready to explore lab-grown diamond rings, start with our most popular styles: lab-grown solitaires, oval cut rings, pear shaped rings, and emerald cut rings. Every Una Diamond ring is set with an IGI-certified stone and handcrafted in Australia.
Explore Una Diamond Engagement Rings
Every Una Diamond ring is handcrafted to order in solid 18K gold or platinum, set with an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond, and delivered in around six weeks:
- The Georgina — oval-cut solitaire
- The Celina — east-west emerald cut
- The Nova — toi et moi with pear and emerald
- Browse all rings →