What they are, how they are made, and why more people are choosing them
Lab grown stones are becoming an increasingly popular choice in modern jewellery. They offer the same beauty and durability as many natural gemstones while being created in controlled environments rather than mined from the earth.
This page explains what lab grown diamonds and gemstones are, how they are made, and how they compare with natural stones.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds and Lab Gemstones?
Lab grown diamonds and lab grown gemstones are real stones created using advanced technology that replicates the natural conditions under which gemstones form in the earth.
These stones have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as their natural counterparts. The difference lies only in their origin.
Natural gemstones form underground over millions of years.
Lab grown gemstones are created in laboratories over a period of weeks or months.
Common lab grown stones include:
• Lab grown diamonds
• Lab sapphires
• Lab rubies
• Lab emeralds
• Lab spinel and other gemstones
Because they are created in controlled environments, lab grown stones can offer exceptional clarity and colour consistency.
Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. They are made from carbon atoms arranged in the same crystal structure that forms natural diamonds.
Two primary processes are used to grow diamonds in laboratories:
Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)
CVD diamonds are grown by placing a small diamond seed into a chamber filled with carbon rich gases. Under high temperatures, the carbon atoms bond to the seed and slowly build a diamond crystal layer by layer.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
HPHT diamonds are created by replicating the extreme heat and pressure found deep within the earth where natural diamonds form.
Both methods produce diamonds that are real diamonds, not simulants.
Lab Grown Sapphires
Sapphires are traditionally known for their deep blue colour, although they naturally occur in a wide range of colours.
Lab grown sapphires are chemically identical to natural sapphires. They are made using a process that recreates the crystallisation of aluminium oxide, the mineral that forms sapphire.
Lab sapphires are often chosen because they offer:
• consistent colour
• excellent clarity
• strong durability for everyday wear
Sapphires rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them one of the hardest gemstones used in jewellery.
Lab Grown Rubies
Rubies are part of the same mineral family as sapphires. The red colour of ruby comes from trace amounts of chromium within the crystal structure.
Lab grown rubies have been produced for over a century and are widely used in both jewellery and scientific instruments.
They share the same properties as natural rubies:
• hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale
• vivid red colour
• excellent durability
Lab Grown Emeralds
Emeralds belong to the beryl gemstone family and are known for their distinctive green colour.
Natural emeralds often contain inclusions, which are sometimes referred to as “gardens”.
Lab grown emeralds are created by reproducing the same mineral composition found in natural emeralds. Because they are grown under controlled conditions, they can sometimes offer greater clarity while maintaining the rich green colour emeralds are known for.
Lab Grown Gemstones vs Natural Gemstones
Many people choose lab grown gemstones because they offer the same visual beauty and durability as natural stones while allowing for greater consistency in colour and clarity.
Key differences include:
Origin
Natural gemstones form underground over millions of years.
Lab grown gemstones are created in laboratories.
Composition
Both natural and lab grown stones share the same chemical structure.
Appearance
In many cases, lab grown stones can offer greater clarity and colour consistency.
Availability
Lab grown gemstones allow jewellers to work with stones that may be difficult to source naturally in certain sizes or colours.
Are Lab Grown Gemstones Real?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds and gemstones are real stones.
They are not imitations or simulants. Simulants such as cubic zirconia or glass look similar to gemstones but have different chemical structures.
Lab grown gemstones are made from the same minerals as natural stones.
Choosing the Right Stone for Jewellery
When selecting a gemstone for jewellery, several factors may influence your choice:
• colour
• hardness and durability
• clarity
• size
• personal preference
Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are among the most durable gemstones, making them well suited to rings and pieces worn daily.
Emeralds and other gemstones can also create striking jewellery designs when set and worn appropriately.
Lab Grown Stones in Custom Jewellery
Lab grown diamonds and gemstones are frequently used in custom jewellery designs.
Because they are available in a wide range of colours and sizes, they allow for greater flexibility when designing bespoke pieces.
Popular custom jewellery choices include:
• lab diamond engagement rings
• sapphire rings
• ruby jewellery
• emerald pendants
• custom gemstone earrings
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are often more accessible than natural diamonds of similar size and quality. Pricing can vary depending on the stone’s cut, clarity, colour, and carat weight.
Are lab gemstones durable enough for everyday wear?
Yes. Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are among the hardest gemstones used in jewellery and are well suited for daily wear.
Can lab gemstones be used in custom jewellery?
Yes. Lab grown stones are widely used in custom jewellery because they allow designers to work with a broad range of colours, sizes, and styles.
Final Thoughts
Lab grown diamonds and gemstones provide another option for those selecting stones for jewellery.
They combine the same mineral composition and durability found in natural gemstones with the consistency made possible through modern technology.
Whether natural or lab grown, the right stone ultimately comes down to personal preference and the design of the piece.