Lab Grown Diamonds Guide
Our lab grown diamond collection features responsibly sourced, certified lab diamonds – offering the same brilliance and quality, with greater transparency. Discover more about lab grown diamonds: what they are, how they're made and why they're significantly less expensive than natural diamonds. Shop our lab grown diamonds and learn everything you need to know.
Ring Sizes
Your Queensmith ring can be resized up or down by 3 sizes, free of charge. If you’d like help estimating your ring size, or your partner’s, get in touch with our experts.
Metals
Choose between platinum or 18k yellow, rose, or white gold.
Diamond Types
Choose between a natural or lab grown diamond. Both chemically, optically and physically identical which can only be told apart with specialist equipment. Lab diamonds typically cost less due to the efficiency of their production.
Diamond Shapes
Personalise your ring with your preferred diamond shape. If you don’t see the shape you’re after, note that we can incorporate most diamond shapes into most designs with a few tweaks.
Carat Weight
Carat is a measurement of a diamond’s weight, which indicates its size. Diamonds of the same carat can appear different sizes depending on its shape, and how well it’s cut. Referred to as ‘ct’, 1.00ct equates to 0.20g.
Queensmith recommends prioritising Cut, Colour and entering your budget to guide your Carat search.
Side Stone Carat Weight
We’ll source two matching diamonds for your ring’s side stones. They will be within our recommended grades of Excellent cut (round only), D-F colour, VS2-SI1 clarity. Choose your preferred carat weight, or get in touch to select a carat weight not shown below.
Total Budget
This is the total amount you’d like to budget for the ring and diamond. Taking the cost of the ring setting you’ve selected into account, our diamond search tool will show you the best options for your personal budget.
Cut
The Cut grade of a diamond outlines how precisely each facet of the diamond has been cut. The better the cut, the crisper, brighter and more intense the sparkle - so it’s an important grade to prioritise. It only applies to round diamonds, so consider high symmetry and polish grades for other shapes.
Queensmith recommends Excellent for GIA graded natural diamonds, or Ideal for IGI graded lab diamonds - essentially different terms for the same, top grade.
Colour
As diamonds form, they can pick up trace elements that cause colouration - typically yellow, brown or green tints. The higher the Colour grade, the more colourless the stone. As a very visual aspect of the diamond, it is important to choose a high Colour grade for a bright and icy stone.
Queensmith recommends D to F for a bright and colourless diamond.
Clarity
Most diamonds contain small irregularities known as inclusions and blemishes, which form as the diamond grows. A high Clarity grade will drive up price, so consider diamonds that contain inclusions that you won't see with the naked eye, rather than aiming for an extremely high Clarity grade.
Queensmith recommends VS2 to SI1 for natural diamonds and VVS1 to VS1 for lab diamonds. These provide the best quality-to-value ratio.
Video Available
Filter to view diamonds available with an online 360 degree video
View In Store
Filter by diamonds available to view in-store. While we keep these diamonds ready to view in-store, please do note that a diamond may be sold in the time between now and your appointment. If you think you've found the one, you can place a fully refundable hold deposit by getting in touch, meaning we won't show the diamond to anyone else!
Recommended
Use this filter to view diamonds with the optimal grades for the best aesthetics vs value for money, as approved by our gemmologists.
Diamond Price
Enter the budget range that works for you to see which diamonds fit your search. If there are no diamonds available within your required range, you may need to adjust your Carat Weight or other diamond variables.
Certification
View either GIA or IGI diamonds, or a mixture of both. GIA are recognised as the world’s most accurate and reliable graders of natural diamonds, whilst IGI are regarded as providing the most thorough analysis of lab diamonds.
Polish
The Polish grade of a diamond refers to the smoothness of the diamond’s facets. The higher the grade, the more finessed the Polish of the stone, meaning you won’t see imperfections like burns or abrasions, and instead the diamond will sparkle clear and bright.
Queensmith Recommends Excellent to Very Good for a sparkly diamond with a clear looking surface.
Symmetry
Symmetry refers to the symmetrical arrangement and alignment of the diamond's facets. Diamonds require symmetry to produce the best brilliance, and it is important to see strong lines of symmetry in fancy shaped diamonds for the best aesthetics.
Queensmith Recommends Excellent to Very Good for strong brilliance and perfect looking shapes.
Fluorescence
Diamonds with poor Fluorescence grades emit a soft glow when exposed to UV light sources, such as the sun, which can cause the diamond to look hazy. This can counteract the effect of a high Cut and Colour grade, so a diamond with no Fluorescence is favourable.
Queensmith RecommendsNone to Faint for a diamond that appears crisp and bright in all lights.
Country of Origin Available
Select this filter to only view diamonds with a known country of origin.
A selection of our diamonds can be traced to their country of origin, in efforts to increase transparency. New processes have been introduced to track diamonds from the moment they are mined, right through to their grading. This information is not available for every diamond, but all of our diamonds reach us through strict mandates of the Kimberley Process, giving you confidence of their ethical origins.
Table %
The table is the top surface facet of the diamond, and is the largest of all the facets. This is the diamond’s main point of entry for light and largely determines its sparkle. An ideal table is large enough for plenty of light to enter, but not too large that it negatively impacts the dispersion of light. Different diamond shapes will have different ideal table percentages.
Queensmith Recommends 52% to 62% for round diamonds.
Depth %
The depth of a diamond is its height from the tip of the culet to the table, and the percentage of the diamond’s depth can hugely impact sparkle. Diamonds cut too shallow or too deep wont produce the best sparkle and can appear dull, because the light isn’t optimally bounced from facet to facet.
Queensmith recommends 58% to 63% for round diamonds.
Ratio
Ratio refers to the length to width dimensions of the diamond, the ideal of which will vary depending on diamond shape and your personal preference. A round diamond’s ratio should be 1, meaning it is as long as it is wide. The higher the ratio, the longer and thinner the diamond.
Availability
This indicates whether this diamond is available to view in-store, online, or both.
Measurements
The measurements of a diamond refer to dimensions of the stone, measured by the length and width in mm. For some, this can be a more useful indication of the diamond's size than its carat weight, and can help you visualise its size when viewed from above.
Origin
A selection of our diamonds can be traced to their country of origin, in efforts to increase transparency. New processes have been introduced to track diamonds from the moment they are mined, right through to their grading. This information is not available for all diamonds, but each of our diamonds reach us through strict mandates of the Kimberley Process, giving you confidence of their ethical origins.
Growth Method
There are two techniques to create a lab diamond: HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapour deposition). CVD diamonds grow very quickly, leaving them prone to internal graining and a brown tint that requires post-growth treatment. HPHT diamonds rarely need such treatment.
Queensmith recommends HPHT lab diamonds.
Quickship
Browse diamonds compatible with our Quickship Engagement Rings. These diamonds are available on a shorter time-frame, so if you're in a hurry and need a ring in 2 weeks, but don't want to compromise on quality, browse our Quickhip range for popular designs that can be made-to-order in 2 weeks with selected Quickship diamonds (limited availability).
Band Style
Choose between a plain band without diamonds, a scallop setting which exposes the side of the diamonds to allow maximum sparkle, or a vintage-inspired pavé setting in which thin strips of metal border the diamonds, held in place by tiny ball claws.
Hidden Diamonds
Level up your ring with the addition of subtle diamond details, like a hidden diamond set bezel or diamond set bridge.
Tracr
TRACR information to be added soon.
Grown by Queensmith
Grown by Queensmith™ lab diamonds are carbon neutral diamonds created to the highest specifications, mirroring the physical and chemical attributes of natural diamonds - all while being produced through ethical and sustainable practices.
Your Selected Diamond
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What are lab grown diamonds?
A lab grown diamond is a diamond created in a laboratory setting that emulates the natural process of a diamond’s growth. While it is visually, chemically and physically identical to a natural diamond, lab-created diamonds can cost up to 85% less and are considered a more sustainable option than mined diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds are often referred to as cultivated, man-made or even synthetic diamonds. They continue to grow in popularity with couples across the globe choosing lab diamonds for their engagement rings.
Book an appointment with our expert gemmologists at our Hatton Garden Jewellers showroom to view a selection of lab grown diamonds sourced for your specific budget.
Are lab grown diamonds real?
Yes, lab diamonds are 100% real diamonds, and are optically, chemically and physically identical to natural, mined diamonds. Lab diamonds have no physical differences from natural diamonds, and it is impossible to tell them apart without specialist laboratory equipment. A lab diamond will also last just as long as a natural diamond. The makeup of a lab diamond is the same as a natural diamond – both measure 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them the hardest natural substance on Earth. This makes them resistant to scratches, abrasions or breaking.
Grown by Queensmith™ is our range of sustainably rated diamonds, offering HPHT Diamonds with the best quality. We employ green energy as a component of all the energy supplied by our providers, who have the capacity to produce and supply green energy to their clients, in addition to the conventional energy sources offered by the common energy suppliers. We have also placed several hundred solar panels to power pressing engines and support equipment to promote sustainable production.
We want to give you, our customers, peace of mind while maintaining the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility.
This is a next-level of diamond industry transparency that as a gemmologist, I've been longing to offer my clients.
How are lab grown diamonds created?
Essentially, the conditions of the Earth’s mantle are emulated in a laboratory. There are two techniques to create a lab diamond: HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapour deposition).
During HPHT, graphite (pure carbon) is exposed to intense heat and pressure via extreme electric pulses and pressed between pieces of metal, until the carbon melts and a diamond is born – this usually takes a number of days. To create CVD diamonds, a minuscule piece of existing diamond (usually created via HPHT) is treated with a heated, carbon-rich gas, which reaches intense temperatures. The carbon gases ionise and, eventually, particles stick to the original diamond and cause crystallisation. Typically, HPHT produces the best quality lab diamonds, as the CVD process is incredibly fast – this can cause internal spots and graining. CVD diamonds also tend to have a brown undertone, and when enhanced with post-growth treatment, the diamond can be left looking milky or hazy compared to a top-quality HPHT diamond. HPHT diamonds rarely require such post-growth treatment and are created with exquisite, gem-quality.
Discover more details: How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
Why choose lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are considered the more budget-friendly option, whilst also allowing for larger carat weights compared to mined diamonds. There are a lot of benefits when choosing a lab grown diamond:
Carat for carat, lab grown diamonds are less expensive than natural, mined diamonds. This means you can expect a larger carat weight for your budget, such as an upgrade from a 0.5-carat to a 1 carat engagement ring.
Scientifically and visually, lab made diamonds are exactly the same as mined diamonds.
No land is mined to produce lab grown diamonds, meaning they are considered more environmentally sustainable.
There is greater certainty that lab grown diamonds have ethical origins.
A lab diamond will have the exact same lasting lustre as a natural diamond, and no-one could tell the difference. Not even a qualified gemmologist! Only specialist lab equipment can tell a natural and lab diamond apart.
Learn more about how lab diamonds compare to natural diamonds.
Our Best-Selling Lab Grown Diamond Rings
Lab diamonds vs natural diamonds – what are the differences?
Visually, chemically, and physically, a man-made diamond bears no difference from a natural diamond. For this reason, lab grown diamonds will register as real diamonds when they’re tested. There are only two differences between lab diamonds and natural diamonds: price and their creation.
Specialist laboratory equipment will note whether a diamond has been created in a laboratory, but even the most advanced gemmologists are unable to make the call by eye or under extreme magnification. See the scientific similarities between natural and lab diamonds below.
Learn more about lab diamonds vs natural diamonds.
Lab diamonds appear identical to natural diamonds & are entirely authentic - it's just the way they're made that's 'synthetic'. Fast and efficient production, just means they cost less.
How much do lab diamonds cost?
With evolving improvements to the techniques and machinery involved in creating a lab diamond, the price of lab grown diamonds is less than natural diamonds by 60% to 85%, and has even dropped in recent years. Lab made diamonds are cheaper than mined diamonds for two main reasons.
Firstly, the demand for lab created diamond rings is still considerably less than for mined diamonds. Secondly, their future value is not known - are lab diamonds a good investment? It’s unclear whether lab grown diamonds will have resale values comparable to natural diamonds, causing some to hesitate when choosing a lab created diamond for their engagement ring. Such doubts are keeping the global cost of lab grown diamonds suppressed. As of right now, you might not even know where to buy a lab diamond as some jewellers refuse to sell them, but with increases in ethical awareness, their demand will only rise.
Compare the price of lab diamonds vs natural diamonds in the chart below with our Lab Diamonds Price & Value guide.
How to choose the best lab created diamond for your ring
Choosing the best lab grown diamonds for your engagement ring is no different to choosing a natural diamond. If you’ve decided a lab grown diamond engagement ring is right for you, follow these steps:
- Define your rough budget.
- Choose the ring style you like, and minus the cost of this to see how much you can dedicate to the diamond.
- Choose the shape of the lab diamond you’re after.
- Consider diamonds graded Excellent cut, D to F colour and VVS1 to VS1 clarity.
You can read more here about choosing the best diamond for your engagement ring, but the characteristics to prioritise are an excellent cut, followed by a high colour grade. This will ensure that a diamond appears bright, white and extremely sparkly.
When narrowing down the options for your lab grown diamond engagement ring, it’s important to seek advice from qualified gemmologists to help you understand the intricacies and characteristics of each diamond, point out any flaws and help you find the best value diamonds for your unique budget.
For more advice or to receive a tailored quote, get in touch with our experts.
We get it, you’ve never done this before.
That’s why we have diamond and design experts on hand, who are here to guide you through every step - from understanding what carat, colour, cut and clarity mean, to designing the perfect ring.
Queensmith Lab Grown Diamond Recommendations
Lab Grown Diamonds FAQs
Do you have additional questions? No problem, let us help you through the process
Yes, a lab diamond will test as a real diamond - because it is chemically, physically and optically identical to a natural diamond, and is therefore a genuine diamond. Specialist equipment can be used to tell a lab diamond from a natural diamond – and the origin of a diamond is included on its certificate.
Queensmith is one of the first jewellers to offer lab diamond rings in the UK.
The world of lab-created diamonds is still relatively untouched by the UK engagement ring market, meaning there are few retailers where you can buy lab grown diamond engagement rings and jewellery. Queensmith is at the forefront of understanding and retailing lab grown diamonds alongside our bespoke engagement ring and jewellery services.
After learning your rough budget and an idea of what you’re after, our gemmologists will work on putting together a select range of the finest lab grown diamonds for your unique budget, before meeting with you to discuss your engagement ring or jewellery design.
Book an appointment online or in-store to meet with our diamond & design experts.
Absolutely. Just like any high-value purchase you make, it is important to insure your lab grown diamond ring. The cost of insuring your lab grown diamond is likely to be less than that of a mined diamond, and your insurer of choice will most likely need to see a copy of your order invoice to verify the value of your insurance.
The future value of lab diamonds is uncertain, as they are so new to the market, and it is unclear whether lab diamonds will become cheaper in the future. There is a possibility that the value gap between lab diamonds and natural diamonds could widen or close. When it comes to reselling a lab diamond, it’s likely you would receive 30% to 40% less than the price you paid, which is true of natural diamonds too.
The best certification of lab grown diamonds is either IGI or GIA. IGI provides a more thorough grading system for lab diamonds, whereas GIA provides more general grade ranges for features like the colour grade of the stone. GIA are, however, regarded as the most renowned, trusted graders worldwide for diamonds in general, particularly for natural diamonds which receive more comprehensive grading.
Whilst the terminology can seem a little confusing, man made, ‘synthetic diamonds’ are real diamonds - created in a lab. The term ‘synthetic diamond’ refers to the synthetic (i.e. human-made) environment in which a lab grown diamond is created.
Synthetic diamonds are not to be confused with diamond simulants. Diamond simulants are not diamonds, but are stones that are somewhat similar in appearance and are generally used for cheaper, high street jewellery, such as cubic zirconia and moissanites. Our gemmological advice is to steer clear of diamond simulants: they do not retain value, and more importantly are less striking in appearance, particularly their sparkle, lustre and crisp structure.
Do you have additional questions? No problem, let us help you through the process
