The question everyone's asking
If you're shopping for an engagement ring in 2025, you've almost certainly come across the lab diamond debate. Are they "real"? Are they worth it? Will they hold their value? And what's actually the difference?
At Seven Swans Fine Jewellery, we work exclusively with lab diamonds — and we get these questions every single day. Here's our honest, no-fluff guide.
What is a lab diamond?
A lab diamond is a real diamond. It has the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same optical properties, and the same physical hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) as a mined diamond.
The only difference is origin: lab diamonds are grown in a controlled environment using one of two methods — High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) — rather than forming naturally over billions of years underground.
Lab diamonds are graded by the same internationally recognised gemological laboratories (IGI, GIA) using the same 4Cs — cut, colour, clarity, and carat — as mined diamonds.
Are lab diamonds "real" diamonds?
Yes. Unequivocally. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US updated its guidelines in 2018 to confirm that lab diamonds are diamonds. They are not simulants (like cubic zirconia or moissanite). A gemologist cannot tell the difference between a lab diamond and a mined diamond without specialised equipment.
How do they compare on quality?
Lab diamonds are available in the full range of cuts, colours, and clarities — just like mined diamonds. In fact, because the growth process is controlled, lab diamonds often have fewer inclusions and more consistent colour than mined stones of equivalent price.
At Seven Swans, we source our lab diamonds individually and only select stones that meet our quality standards. Every stone comes with an IGI certificate.
What about price?
This is where lab diamonds really shine. Lab diamonds are typically 50–70% more affordable than mined diamonds of equivalent quality. This means you can get a significantly larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget.
What about ethics and the environment?
Diamond mining has a complex ethical and environmental history. Lab diamonds sidestep these concerns entirely — they're grown in facilities, not mined from the earth, and their supply chain is fully traceable.
Do lab diamonds hold their value?
Honestly? Neither lab diamonds nor mined diamonds are great financial investments — the resale value of any diamond is typically well below retail price.
The bottom line is you will lose less money on a lab diamond. Here's how: take a $5000 lab diamond vs. an equivalent $30,000 mined diamond. Reselling a mined diamond at the standard 30% would lead to a $21,000 loss, while a lab diamond limits the loss to $5000.
Here's our take: an engagement ring is a symbol of love, not a stock portfolio. Buy the ring that makes your heart sing, within a budget that makes financial sense for your life.
See our lab diamond engagement rings
Every ring in our collection features an individually sourced, IGI-certified lab diamond in an antique-inspired setting.
✨ Athena — 1.51ct Oval Lab Diamond Flush Set Ring
✨ Honey — 1.93ct Emerald Cut Lab Diamond Bezel Ring
✨ Patience — Old European Cut Lab Diamond Bezel Solitaire
✨ Mercier — Antique Old Mine Cut Lab Diamond Solitaire
Our recommendation
If you want a beautiful, ethically sourced diamond with maximum quality for your budget, a lab diamond is an excellent choice. At Seven Swans, we specialise in antique-cut lab diamonds — stones with the soul of a vintage gem and the credentials of a modern, ethical choice.
Book a free consultation and let's find the perfect stone for you.
