Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are sometimes called cultured or synthetic diamonds, but they're not imitations. Cubic zirconia and moissanite are different materials that look similar. A lab-grown diamond is diamond: carbon, in a diamond's crystal structure.

HPHT recreates the conditions deep inside the earth. A tiny diamond seed is placed in carbon and pressed at roughly 1,500°C and around 50,000 times normal atmospheric pressure. The carbon melts and crystallises around the seed, forming a rough diamond.

CVD grows a diamond layer by layer. Diamond seeds sit in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas, which is heated until carbon atoms settle onto the seeds and build up, slowly, into a crystal. Growers can control the process closely, which helps with size and quality.

Both methods produce real diamonds. Once a stone is cut and graded, the method matters much less than the grades on its report.

Diamond mining can mean cleared land, lost habitat and, in some parts of the world, stones linked to conflict or poor working conditions. A lab-grown diamond avoids all of that. Growing one does use a lot of electricity, so its footprint depends on how the grower is powered, and many are moving to renewable energy.

A lab-grown diamond usually costs considerably less than a mined diamond of the same size and quality. In practice, that means many people choose a bigger stone or a better grade than they'd first planned, or put the difference towards something else.

Lab-grown diamonds are graded on the same 4Cs as mined ones: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Centre stones of one carat and up come with an IGI certificate, so you know exactly what you're getting.

Because there's a steady supply, it's easier to find the shape and size you want, and to match stones for multi-stone designs. You can see the options in our ring builder.

• Prioritise cut. It has the biggest effect on sparkle.
• Aim for eye-clean, not flawless. You'll save money without seeing a difference.
• Read the report. For centre stones of one carat and up, the IGI certificate confirms the diamond is lab-grown and lists every grade.
• Ask us. Email hello@unadiamond.com if you'd like a second opinion on a stone.

They're not. Fake diamonds, or simulants, are different materials made to look like diamond. A lab-grown diamond is diamond.

Lab-grown diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, so they handle everyday wear.

This one works the other way. Lab-grown diamonds have little resale value, so we'd never suggest buying one as an investment. Buy it because you love it and plan to wear it for decades.

Sparkle comes mostly from how a diamond is cut. A well-cut stone sends light back up through the top, which is why we'd put cut first when you choose.

Most of our customers want a beautiful diamond without the questions that come with mining, and like that their budget goes further. If that sounds like you, lab-grown is a good fit.

You can browse our rings, start from scratch in the ring builder, or email us at hello@unadiamond.com with any questions.