8 Factors to Consider When Buying a Lab Grown Diamond

Navigating the diamond market can feel like a high-stakes guessing game, but it doesn't have to be. By mastering these 8 essential characteristics, you’ll bridge the gap between a casual browser and a savvy retail consumer. These insights will empower you to look past the marketing "fluff," think with the precision of a professional jeweler, and step into any showroom as a confident, informed shopper ready to choose the perfect stone.
So, let’s start with understanding what are lab-grown diamond’s all about:

What is a Lab Grown Diamond?

Lab grown diamonds are physically, chemically & optically identical to mined diamonds. And hence they are also Real diamonds just like mined diamonds. They also come with the same 4C certification that is given to mined diamonds.

The shift toward lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) over the last five years has been one of the most rapid disruptions in the history of the luxury market. As of 2026, they are no longer viewed as "imitation" stones but as a legitimate, mainstream choice for fine jewelry.

Here are the primary reasons for this rise in popularity:

1. Massive Price Gap and "Value for Carat"

The most significant driver is the dramatic decline in prices. Since 2020, lab-grown prices have dropped by roughly 70–80% due to improved manufacturing efficiencies in China and India.

• The "Upgrade" Factor: Consumers can now buy a 2-carat or 3-carat lab-grown diamond for the same price (or less) than a 0.5-carat mined diamond.

• Engagement Ring Shift: In 2025, the average carat size for lab-grown engagement rings rose to approximately 2.45 carats, compared to 1.31 carats in 2019.

Lab Grown Diamond Price Comparison

2. Identical Physical & Chemical Properties

A major hurdle for lab-grown diamonds was the "fake" stigma. Over the last five years, public education has successfully communicated that LGDs are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds.

• Testing: They rank a 10 on the Mohs scale (the same as mined) and will pass a standard diamond tester.
  

• Certification: Major authorities like the GIA and IGI now provide full grading reports for lab-grown stones, giving buyers the same confidence in quality (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat) as they have with natural stones.
  
  

3. Ethical and Environmental Appeal

Millennial and Gen Z consumers increasingly prioritize "conscious luxury."

• Conflict-Free: Lab-grown diamonds are inherently conflict-free, bypassing the historical baggage of "blood diamonds" and unethical labor practices sometimes associated with remote mining regions.
  

• Sustainability: While labs do require significant energy, they avoid the massive land displacement, water usage (96 liters per carat for mined vs. ~2 liters for lab), and mineral waste (tons of earth moved for a single stone) associated with traditional mining.
  
  

4. Market Normalization & Accessibility

The "luxury" gatekeeping of diamonds has weakened as major retailers integrated lab-grown options.

• Retail Presence: Brands like Pandora, Swarovski, and even Signet Jewelers (Kay, Zales) have leaned heavily into lab-grown collections, making them visible in every local mall and online storefront.

• Customization: Because they are grown in a lab, designers have more freedom to experiment with unique shapes (like the popular oval or emerald cuts) and rare "fancy colors" (pink, blue, yellow) that are prohibitively expensive in the natural market.
  
  

8 factors to consider when buying any lab-grown diamond jewellery:

Factor #1: Cut

Often mistaken for shape, the cut is actually the most critical factor because it determines how a diamond handles light. A well-cut diamond reflects light internally from one facet to another and disperses it through the top, creating the "fire" and brilliance that make a stone truly sparkle.

Factor #2: Clarity

Clarity refers to the "purity" of the diamond and the presence of tiny internal or external imperfections known as inclusions and blemishes. While most of these are invisible to the naked eye, understanding clarity grades helps you find an "eye-clean" stone that offers the best value without paying for perfection you can't see.

Factor #3: Color

Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with the most valuable stones being those that lack any tint. As a savvy shopper, you’ll want to look for the "sweet spot" where 

the diamond appears white to the eye when set in jewelry, even if it isn't technically perfect on the scale.

Factor #4: Carat

Carat refers to the physical weight of the diamond rather than its visual size. Because diamonds are priced exponentially by weight, understanding how carat interacts with cut is essential; a smaller carat diamond with an excellent cut can actually look larger and more vibrant than a poorly cut, heavier stone.

Factor #5: Fluorescence

Fluorescence is the soft glow (usually blue) that some diamonds emit when exposed to ultraviolet light. While it can sometimes make a slightly yellowish diamond appear whiter, strong fluorescence can occasionally make a stone look "milky" or hazy, so it is a vital detail to check on a grading report.

Factor #6: Shape

Shape is the geometric form of the diamond, such as Round, Oval, Princess, or Pear, and is often the first decision a buyer makes based on personal style. Beyond aesthetics, shape significantly impacts the price-per-carat and how the diamond’s size is perceived on the hand.

Factor #7: Certification

A certification is your "birth certificate" for the diamond, issued by an independent laboratory like the GIA or IGI to verify its 4Cs. Never purchase a diamond without a reputable certificate, as it is your only unbiased guarantee that the quality you are paying for is exactly what you are receiving.

Factor #8: Exchange & Buyback Policies

Unlike the physical traits of the stone, this factor protects your financial investment and provides peace of mind for the future. Understanding a jeweler’s policy on exchange or buyback ensures you know the long-term liquidity of your diamond and whether you have the flexibility to upgrade the stone down the road. Onya offers the best-in-class exchange and buyback policies which cover even your custom pieces for lifetime.

Buyer Mistakes to Avoid while Buying Lab Grown Diamond

Here are few tips that can help you get the maximum of your lab-grown diamond jewellery purchase:

1. Always choose your diamonds based on the design. Size is not the same as carats.
   2 diamonds of same carats may look very different. This is especially important while buying fancy shaped diamonds

2. Always opt for Fine Gold - 14K for more durability and 18K in case of more richer color in Yellow Gold. 

3. When buying a round solitaire, always buy an Ideal cut diamond

4. Look for Fluroscene, opt for No-Fluroscene in your diamond. 

5. When going for elongated shaped diamond diamonds, minimise the Bow-tie effect. 

Conclusion

Buying a lab-grown diamond in 2026 is a much smarter choice. And you shouldn’t let anyone cloud your vision of the same.

FAQ

1. What are the 4 C’s in a diamond?

Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat

2. What is the ideal clarity for a lab-grown diamond?

VVS1/2

3. What color grade is best for lab-grown diamonds?

DEF- all are colorless diamonds

4. Are lab grown diamonds real and certified?

Yes, lab-grown diamonds are real and certified.