Lab Grown Diamonds: The Smart, Stunning Way to Say Forever

1. What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

A lab grown diamond is a real diamond created in a controlled laboratory setting using advanced technology that mimics the earth’s natural processes. The two main methods are Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). These diamonds have the same physical, optical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds and are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.

2. Are Lab Diamonds Real?

Absolutely. Lab grown diamonds are just as “real” as natural diamonds. They come with standard gradings on the 4Cs — cut, clarity, color, and carat weight — and are certified by renowned institutions like GIA. If you’re still in doubt, yes — lab diamonds test as real diamonds.

3. Lab Diamond vs Natural Diamond: What’s the Difference?

In terms of appearance, hardness, brilliance, and durability, lab and natural diamonds are the same. The key difference lies in their origin. Natural diamonds form deep underground over billions of years, while lab diamonds grown in months. Natural diamonds contain trace elements like nitrogen, which CVD diamonds typically lack — a detail only gemologists can detect with specialized equipment.

4. How Are Lab Diamonds Made?

There are two ways to grow a lab diamond:

CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)

A tiny diamond “seed” is placed in a vacuum chamber and exposed to carbon-rich gases. These gases are heated, and carbon atoms gradually bond to the seed, forming a diamond layer by layer.

HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)

A graphite seed is subjected to extreme pressure and heat — similar to how natural diamonds are formed in the Earth. Therefore, maller stones often use HPHT diamonds and they are melee due to faster production cycles.

5. Differences Between CVD and HPHT Diamonds & How to Choose

The production methods of CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) diamonds differ, which directly affects their quality and suitability:

CVD Diamonds are created in a cleaner environment with fewer impurities, and they are free from metal inclusions and magnetism. This results in larger crystal sizes and generally higher quality diamonds. Due to the advantages of CVD technology,larger, higher-quality diamonds are more suitable for this way.

HPHT Diamonds, on the other hand, are ideal for producing smaller diamonds, generally under 2 carats. The production process is more cost-efficient, making it more suitable for mass production. While the production costs of both methods are comparable, HPHT has benefited from recent technological advancements that allow for higher production output per unit time, resulting in slightly lower prices compared to CVD diamonds.

In short: choose CVD for large center stones and HPHT for brilliant, cost-effective small stones.

6.Which Type of Diamond Does Kegan Design Jewelry Use?

At Kegan Design Jewelry, we support full customization of diamonds, offering each customer a unique jewelry creation experience. To optimize costs, we typically recommend HPHT diamonds for smaller stones, as they are better for large-scale production and are more cost-effective.

But we also offer CVD diamonds based on customer requests. For example, some high-end custom clients from Los Angeles jewelry street may specify CVD diamonds, and we ensure to select the highest quality materials according to their specific needs.

No matter the type of diamond chosen, we are committed to providing the highest level of satisfaction for our clients, carefully selecting only the finest materials to create jewelry that exceeds expectations.

7. Are Lab Grown Diamonds a Good Choice?

Yes. Whether you’re considering clarity, color, or cut, lab diamonds can be exceptional. Like natural diamonds, lab stones are graded and valued based on their imperfections, brilliance, and craftsmanship.

8. Pros and Cons of Lab Diamonds

Pros:

Cost 30–50% less than natural diamonds

Same brilliance and sparkle

Conflict-free and more ethical

Environmentally friendly (no mining)

Greater design flexibility

Cons:

Lower resale value than natural diamonds

High energy consumption in lab production

Less rarity, more commoditized

If resale value is not your priority, a lab diamond lets you get a bigger, better-looking stone for your budget.

9. Should You Choose a Lab Diamond Ring?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Choosing a lab diamond vs natural diamond depends on:

Your budget

Your partner’s preferences

Ethical/environmental concerns

Resale expectations

Whether you’re seeking romance, responsibility, or brilliance, both options can be right — it just depends on what matters most to you.

10. Can Kegan Design Jewelry Create Custom Lab Diamond Rings?

Yes — and we love doing it.
We offer fully customized lab diamond rings, down to the carat weight, cut style, and gemstone color. We even operate our own lab diamond production facility for high-volume or high-end requests.

One of our recent clients requested an 8.16 carat pink lab diamond for a surprise engagement ring. We designed, cut, and polished the stone with precision — sending not just a ring, but a heartfelt story of love and craftsmanship.

Custom diamonds do take time, so please reach out early to ensure your piece is ready for that special moment.

11. Our Promise: Quality You Can Feel, Transparency You Can Trust

At Kegan Design Jewelry, we believe jewelry isn’t just about sparkle — it’s about trust, emotion, and the memory it creates. Every lab diamond comes with a detailed weight report, and we encourage you to weigh and verify at home with a precision scale.

We use strict quality control and offer certification upon request. Whether you’re investing in love, legacy, or personal expression, we’re here to make your custom jewelry journey unforgettable.

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