Lab grown diamonds price and value
Considering a lab grown diamond? Discover the average prices of lab diamonds by carat weight, how much cheaper they are than natural diamonds, and how lab diamonds are valued, to help you decide whether a lab diamond is right for you.
Are lab created diamonds worth anything?
Lab grown diamonds hold significant value, both in terms of their physical properties and their emotional resonance. These diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds, making them a genuine choice for fine jewellery. Each lab diamond is graded by reputable gemological laboratories, ensuring transparency and trust in their quality. Their worth is determined by the same criteria as natural diamonds – the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
While lab diamonds may not command the same resale or investment value as natural diamonds, they offer excellent value for those seeking a beautiful, high-quality stone at a more accessible cost for wedding and engagement rings. Their appeal lies in their ethical sourcing, environmental considerations, and the ability to choose a larger or higher-quality diamond within a given budget. For many, a lab diamond represents a meaningful and responsible choice, combining beauty with peace of mind.
Are lab grown diamonds cheaper than natural?
Lab-grown diamonds are generally more affordable than their natural counterparts. This price difference isn't due to quality (lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural ones), but stems from their origin and production process. While natural diamonds form over billions of years deep within the Earth and require extensive mining, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments that replicate natural conditions. This method allows for more efficient production, contributing to their lower cost.
Choosing a lab-grown diamond provides greater flexibility within your budget. You can prioritise the aspects that matter most to you, be it size, clarity, or an exceptional cut. This means you might opt for a larger or higher-quality diamond, or allocate more of your budget towards other meaningful elements of your special day.
Average lab grown diamond prices
Just as with natural diamonds, lab diamond prices vary depending on their specifications, such as cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. However, lab diamonds generally offer more flexibility within your budget, making it easier to find a stunning stone that fits your preferences. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, refer to our pricing table below, which reflects real-time prices from our loose diamond inventory and allows you to compare lab grown vs natural diamonds side by side to see the price differences across multiple carat weight options.
| Diamond Carat | Lab Diamond (D, VS1, XXX) | Natural Diamond (D, VS1, XXX) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.30ct | £530 | £880 |
| 0.35ct | £450 | £990 |
| 0.45ct | £530 | £1,460 |
| 0.50ct | £730 | £1,820 |
| 0.60ct | £800 | £2,290 |
| 0.70ct | £940 | £2,770 |
| 0.80ct | £1,140 | £3,680 |
| 0.90ct | £1,210 | £4,610 |
| 1.00ct | £1,270 | £6,940 |
| 1.20ct | £1,500 | £8,290 |
Can you insure lab grown diamonds?
Lab diamonds can be insured, just like natural diamonds. While the price of an artificial diamond is lower than that of natural diamonds, they are still valuable and rare gems that in the event of loss or damage will require a significant sum to replace. When insuring your lab diamond ring, make sure your plan covers like-for-like replacement, meaning the replacement ring will be from the same jewellers, for the same value.
Lab grown diamonds resale value
There is a common misconception that diamonds hold or even increase in value over time. The reality is, you won’t resell a lab diamond - or a natural diamond - for the same price you paid for it. When you buy a diamond ring, you’re also paying for the expertise in cutting, polishing and grading, as well as a reasonable profit to the jeweller and value-added tax (VAT). The resale value of a lab diamond ring will be around 30% to 40% less than you paid, and the same is true of a natural diamond ring - so it's worth focussing on the emotional investment and the value that comes with having a ring made especially for your partner, rather than an economic investment.
Can lab grown diamonds be GIA certified?
Lab diamonds can and should be certified, to make them worth your money. The GIA certifies both natural and lab diamonds, along with another reliable grading laboratory, IGI. A lab diamond certified by GIA or IGI may cost a little more than other diamonds, but you can be certain the diamond you receive is the quality you pay for - whereas other graders may over-grade to generate greater profit, leaving you with a lacklustre stone at an unreasonably high price. IGI is regarded as the best certification for lab grown diamonds, as they offer a more thorough report on lab diamond grades, unlike GIA which give a slightly more general range of the diamond’s grade. At Queensmith, we only work with IGI and GIA man made diamonds and natural diamonds.
Queensmith has developed a range of lab created, ethical diamonds with our Grown by Queensmith range. As well as being IGI certified, these diamonds are Certified Sustainability Rated Diamonds, which is an independent, third-party certification, and no other standard provides this level of assurance to jewellery manufacturers, retailers, or customers. This certificate includes an explanation of our diamonds' origin traceability, conformance with rigorous ethical and environmental requirements, a net zero carbon footprint, measurable progress towards sustainability practices, and sustainability investments. Customers can have a diamond engagement ring that comes with their own story and even the environmental and social impact.
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.
Lab Grown Diamonds Price & Value
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Lab diamonds are typically 60% to 85% cheaper than natural diamonds. This is because the process of creating a lab diamond is more efficient and cost effective than the process to mine a diamond. Typically, the larger the carat weight, the larger the price difference between an otherwise identical natural vs lab diamond.
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.
Like natural diamonds, man made diamond prices vary depending on quality and size. We offer lab made diamonds starting from around £600 and ranging to upwards of £8000 so there are options to suit all budgets. Browse our loose lab grown diamonds here.
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.
This is a common misconception, artificial lab diamonds are much less expensive than natural diamonds, yet buying a lab diamond still requires a significant sum - because a diamond is a diamond! Lab diamonds are 100% authentic, real diamonds, equally scintillating and beautiful. While lab diamond creation is an efficient process, it requires a great deal of high-tech equipment and top scientific minds, which costs money. Plus, lab diamonds are still pretty rare. This rarity, beauty and demand for lab diamonds are reflected in their prices.
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