Yes, lab grown diamonds are an excellent choice for everyday wear because they have the same physical properties, hardness and durability as natural diamonds. If you're wondering whether lab grown diamonds are good for everyday wear, their exceptional scratch resistance and long-lasting brilliance make them a practical choice for jewellery you intend to wear regularly.
Think about what your jewellery goes through every day. A ring may come into contact with desks, door handles, bags, kitchen surfaces and other objects while you work, travel or carry out daily activities. Over time, these repeated contacts can leave scratches on softer gemstones, affecting their appearance. This is why hardness matters when choosing a diamond for daily wear.
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring mineral, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Lab grown diamonds share this rating, making them highly resistant to scratches from everyday contact. Both lab grown and natural diamonds have the same hardness, so choosing a lab grown diamond does not mean compromising on scratch resistance or durability.
This makes lab grown diamonds suitable for daily wear across different jewellery styles, including rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets. They are real diamonds, not simulants, and have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as mined diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds' ability to resist everyday scratches while retaining their natural brilliance makes them a practical choice for jewellery you want to wear regularly, rather than save only for special occasions.
How Durable Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are highly durable and can last for generations with proper care. Their durability comes from their strong carbon crystal structure, which gives them exceptional hardness. This property makes lab grown diamonds good for everyday wear, offering the durability of natural diamonds without compromising on their appearance or physical characteristics.
However, there are a few different aspects of diamond durability worth understanding, especially if you plan to wear your jewellery every day.
1. Are Lab Grown Diamonds Resistant to Scratches?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are extremely resistant to scratches because they rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Everyday contact with common materials such as glass, household surfaces and most metals is unlikely to scratch a diamond.
However, diamond can still be scratched by another diamond. This is also why storing diamond jewellery separately is important. When multiple pieces rub against each other, they can cause scratches on one another or damage the metal settings.
2. Can Lab Grown Diamonds Chip or Break?
Although diamonds are exceptionally hard, hardness and toughness are not the same thing. Hardness measures resistance to scratching, while toughness refers to the ability to withstand impact without chipping or breaking.
Diamonds have natural cleavage planes, which means a sufficiently sharp or forceful impact at the right angle can cause a chip or fracture. Corners and pointed edges on shapes such as princess, pear and marquise cuts can be more exposed to impact than rounded edges.
This does not make lab grown diamonds unsuitable for daily wear. It simply means that a well-designed setting and sensible handling help protect the stone, particularly in rings that experience frequent contact with objects.
3. Do Lab Grown Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle Over Time?
No. Lab grown diamonds do not naturally fade, become cloudy or lose their inherent brilliance over time. Their sparkle comes from the way light interacts with the diamond's cut, and this does not change simply because the diamond is worn regularly.
What can make a diamond appear dull is the buildup of everyday substances such as skin oils, lotion, soap and dust on its surface. These residues reduce the amount of light entering and leaving the stone, making it look less brilliant. Regular cleaning helps restore its appearance.
Does the Jewellery Setting Affect Everyday Durability?
Yes. While lab grown diamonds are highly durable, the setting and overall jewellery construction determine how securely the diamond is held during everyday wear. A well-designed setting protects the stone while making the jewellery comfortable and practical to wear.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing lab grown diamond jewellery for daily use:
- Prong vs. bezel settings: Prong settings allow more light to enter the diamond, while bezel settings surround its edges with metal, offering additional protection against accidental knocks.
- High-set vs. low-profile designs: Raised settings can catch on clothes, bags and other objects. Low-profile settings sit closer to the finger and are often more practical for everyday rings.
- Pavé and channel settings: These designs feature multiple smaller diamonds, so check that the stones are securely set and the metal framework is well constructed.
- Gold quality and craftsmanship: The gold alloy, prong thickness, setting finish and overall construction all influence long-term durability.
Can You Wear Lab Grown Diamonds Every Day?
Yes, you can wear lab grown diamond jewellery regularly, including while working, travelling and carrying out most everyday activities. Besides offering the same hardness and physical properties as natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are generally more affordable. This makes them an appealing choice if you want diamond jewellery for everyday use without spending as much as you would on comparable natural diamond pieces.
However, everyday wear involves more than just the diamond itself. Your jewellery can come into contact with hard surfaces, water, skincare products, chemicals and everyday pressure. While the diamond is highly resistant to scratches, the setting, gold and other components need care to maintain their condition.
Here's what you should know before wearing your lab grown diamonds throughout the day.
|
Everyday activity |
What you should know |
|---|---|
|
Working and commuting |
Generally safe. Be mindful of repeated knocks against hard surfaces, particularly with rings and bracelets. |
|
Household chores |
Remove rings and bracelets when gardening, handling tools or using cleaning chemicals. |
|
Showering |
Avoid wearing jewellery in the shower. Soap, shampoo and conditioner can leave residue that dulls its appearance. |
|
Swimming |
Remove jewellery before entering pools or the sea. Chlorine can affect gold alloys, while cold water can make rings easier to slip off. |
|
Sleeping |
Preferably remove rings, hoops, bracelets and necklaces to prevent snagging, tangling and pressure on settings. |
|
Gym and sports |
Remove rings and bracelets, especially during weight training or contact sports, where pressure and impact can damage the setting. |
|
Skincare and perfume |
Apply lotions, sunscreen and perfume before putting on your jewellery to minimise residue buildup. |
You don't need to remove your lab grown diamond jewellery for every routine activity. The important thing is to avoid situations involving repeated impact, excessive pressure or harsh chemicals.
Which Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery Is Best for Everyday Wear?
Lab Grown Diamond Rings for Everyday Wear
Rings experience more physical contact than most other jewellery, making their design particularly important for daily use. Low-profile settings, bezel settings and securely fitted prongs can help protect the diamond from accidental knocks and reduce the chances of snagging on clothes or other objects.
For everyday comfort, look for rings with smooth edges, a practical band width and a setting that doesn't sit too high above the finger. If you prefer a more noticeable design, a well-constructed solitaire or everyday diamond ring can also work beautifully.
Explore Onya's lab grown diamond everyday rings for designs that bring together everyday comfort and the brilliance of real diamonds.
Looking for more styles and designs? Explore our lab grown diamond rings collection to discover a wider range of designs, diamond shapes and settings for different occasions.
Lab Grown Diamond Earrings for Everyday Wear
Earrings are among the easiest types of diamond jewellery to incorporate into your daily routine. Lab grown diamond studs are particularly practical because they sit close to the earlobe, are comfortable for extended wear and are less likely to catch on clothing or hair.
When choosing everyday diamond earrings, look for lightweight designs with secure screw-back or well-fitted push-back closures. If you prefer hoops or drop earrings, consider their weight, fastening mechanism and how easily they can catch on hair or clothing.
You can also browse the wider lab grown diamond earrings at Onya for more styles.
Lab Grown Diamond Pendants and Bracelets for Everyday Wear
Pendants and bracelets are versatile choices for everyday diamond jewellery, but their durability depends largely on the chain, links and fastening mechanism.
For pendants, look for well-constructed chains with secure clasps and a comfortable length that doesn't easily tangle or catch on clothing. For bracelets, check the strength of the links, the security of the clasp and whether the fit allows comfortable movement without being too loose.
Lightweight solitaire pendants and well-fitted diamond bracelets are particularly easy to style with everyday outfits.
Shop for Everyday Wear Lab Diamond Necklaces at Onya.
How to Keep Your Daily Wear Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery in Good Condition
Lab grown diamonds are made for long-term wear, but jewellery that is worn frequently needs a little attention to maintain its brilliance and structural integrity. Beyond basic cleaning, a few specific habits can help protect both the diamond and the gold setting.
1. Clean the areas underneath and around the diamond
Daily wear exposes jewellery to skin oils, moisturisers, sunscreen, soap and dust. These substances can accumulate underneath the diamond, particularly in intricate prong, pavé and halo settings, reducing the amount of light reaching the stone and making it appear less brilliant.
Use lukewarm water, a little mild dish soap and a soft brush to gently clean accessible areas. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners.
2. Store diamond jewellery separately
Diamonds can scratch other diamonds because of their exceptional hardness. Storing multiple pieces together can also cause chains to tangle, prongs to catch and delicate settings to rub against one another.
Keep rings, earrings and pendants in separate soft-lined compartments or individual pouches. This is particularly useful for jewellery you wear and remove frequently.
3. Check prongs and clasps for signs of wear
Repeated everyday contact can gradually wear down metal prongs or affect clasps and bracelet links. A loose prong may allow a diamond to move within its setting, increasing the risk of losing the stone.
Occasionally check whether the diamond feels loose, catches on fabric or appears uneven in its setting. If you notice anything unusual, stop wearing the piece until a jeweller has inspected it.
4. Be careful with ultrasonic cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency vibrations to remove dirt, but they are not suitable for every jewellery piece. Existing cracks, loose stones, delicate pavé settings or certain treated gemstones can make ultrasonic cleaning risky.
For everyday lab grown diamond jewellery, gentle home cleaning is generally a safer starting point. Ask your jeweller before using ultrasonic or steam cleaning, particularly for intricate designs.
5. Schedule periodic jewellery inspections
Even if a diamond looks perfectly fine, the surrounding metal components can experience wear over time. A professional inspection can identify thinning prongs, loose stones, worn links and weakened clasps before they become bigger problems.
For pieces worn almost every day, consider having the settings and fastenings checked periodically by a qualified jeweller. This helps preserve the jewellery's condition and reduces the risk of accidental stone loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Lab Grown Diamonds as Durable as Natural Diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds have the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical properties as natural diamonds. Both score 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them equally resistant to everyday scratches. Their durability is not determined by whether they are grown in a laboratory or mined from the earth.
2. Do Lab Grown Diamonds Scratch Easily?
No. Lab grown diamonds are highly resistant to scratches because they rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Everyday contact with common surfaces is unlikely to scratch them. However, diamonds can scratch other diamonds, so storing diamond jewellery separately is important.
3. Can Lab Grown Diamonds Chip or Break?
Yes, although this is uncommon with normal handling. Despite their exceptional hardness, diamonds have cleavage planes that make them vulnerable to chipping under a sharp or forceful impact. The diamond's cut, exposed edges and protective setting can influence its vulnerability.
4. Do Lab Grown Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle Over Time?
No. Lab grown diamonds do not naturally fade, become cloudy or lose their brilliance over time. However, everyday exposure to skin oils, lotions, soap and dust can leave residue on the surface, making the diamond appear dull. Regular cleaning helps restore its sparkle.
5. How Long Do Lab Grown Diamonds Last?
Lab grown diamonds can last for generations, just like natural diamonds. Their carbon crystal structure remains stable over time, so they do not deteriorate simply because they are worn regularly. Proper jewellery care helps preserve the setting and metal that hold the diamond in place.
6. Can You Wear Lab Grown Diamonds While Working or Doing Household Chores?
Yes. Lab grown diamond jewellery can generally be worn while working, commuting and performing routine activities. However, remove rings and bracelets when gardening, handling tools or doing heavy cleaning, as repeated impact and contact with chemicals can affect the jewellery setting and metal.
7. Can You Shower With Lab Grown Diamonds?
It is better to remove lab grown diamond jewellery before showering. Soap, shampoo and conditioner can leave residue on the diamond and collect underneath intricate settings, reducing its brilliance and making cleaning more difficult.
8. Can You Swim With Lab Grown Diamonds?
It is not recommended. Chlorine in swimming pools can affect certain gold alloys, while saltwater can leave deposits on jewellery. Cold water can also cause fingers to shrink temporarily, increasing the risk of losing a ring while swimming.
9. Can You Sleep With Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery?
You can, but removing it before sleeping is a better habit. Rings can catch on bedsheets, while earrings, bracelets and necklaces can snag, tangle or put unnecessary pressure on their settings and fastenings.
10. Can You Wear Lab Grown Diamonds to the Gym?
It is best to remove diamond rings and bracelets before exercising, particularly during weight training or contact sports. Pressure from gym equipment can bend ring bands, damage settings or loosen stones. Sweat itself does not damage diamonds, but removing jewellery also helps prevent residue buildup.
11. Can Sweat, Perfume and Skincare Products Damage Lab Grown Diamonds?
These products generally do not damage the diamond itself, but sweat, perfume, moisturisers and sunscreen can leave residue that reduces its sparkle. Some chemicals may also affect the metal over repeated exposure. Apply skincare and perfume before putting on your diamond jewellery.
12. Are Lab Grown Diamonds Good for Daily Wear Compared to Other Gemstones?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are among the most practical gemstones for everyday jewellery because of their exceptional hardness and scratch resistance. They score 10 on the Mohs scale, compared with 9 for sapphire and ruby, and 7 for quartz. However, hardness alone does not determine toughness, so the setting and overall jewellery construction still matter.
13. Are Lab Grown Diamonds Suitable for Everyday Wear?
Yes, lab grown diamonds are good for everyday wear because they have the same hardness, chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds. With a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, they are highly resistant to everyday scratches and retain their brilliance over time. Choosing well-crafted jewellery with secure settings makes them an excellent option for regular use.
