Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real? What They Are, and the Proof
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio · Updated October 22, 2026
Short answer: Yes. A lab grown diamond is carbon in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond, scores 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, passes a diamond tester and is graded the same way. The difference is origin, which the IGI report states. In our 2026 listings a 2 carat lab grown diamond had a median price of $2,546 CAD, about a quarter of a comparable natural stone.
Most of our clients choose lab grown, and nearly every one asks this first.
Are lab grown diamonds real or fake?
Real. Fake diamonds are simulants: different materials that look similar, like cubic zirconia or moissanite. A lab grown diamond is not a simulant. It is diamond, carbon in the same crystal, so it has the same hardness, the same sparkle and the same grading. In the US, the FTC treats lab grown diamonds as diamonds, provided they are clearly described as lab grown.
| Lab grown diamond | Mined diamond | Moissanite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Carbon, diamond crystal | Carbon, diamond crystal | Silicon carbide |
| Mohs hardness | 10 | 10 | About 9.25 |
| Is it a diamond? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Report on our stones | IGI, states lab grown | IGI or GIA | We don't sell it |
How are they made?
In a lab, by one of two methods: HPHT, which recreates the high pressure and heat that form diamonds underground, or CVD, which builds a diamond crystal up layer by layer from a carbon-rich gas. A lab grown report states the origin and the growth method. Once cut, the method does not change how the stone looks or wears.
Can a jeweller tell them apart?
Not by eye or with a basic tester. It takes specialist lab equipment, which is why the report matters. The report number is laser inscribed on the girdle, so a jeweller can match the stone to the paper. How to check is in how to tell if a diamond is real.
How much cheaper are they?
| Stone | Median price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 2 ct lab grown, IGI | $2,546 |
| 2 ct natural, comparable | $9,905 |
Loose stones priced through our ring builder, June to September 2026. Lab prices move fast.
Roughly four to one at 2 carats. The catch is resale, which is low: see do lab grown diamonds hold their value.
Is there anything to watch for?
One thing: colour grades on lab stones. We have seen IGI group G, H and I stones loosely into F, so a lab F can carry a very slight tint. We check every stone on video and send you two to choose from, each with its IGI report.
Are there coloured lab grown diamonds?
Yes. Pink, champagne and other colours are grown too, and they are diamonds like any other. See pink lab diamonds vs natural pink sapphires.
Want to see two lab stones side by side on video?
A free 20 minute video call with our team. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callGet a free estimateFrom our collection
4.77ct Marquise Pink Lab Diamond
3.86ct Marquise Pink Lab Diamond
3.58ct Radiant Pink Lab Diamond
3.60ct Radiant Pink Lab Diamond
Questions we get about this
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Same carbon crystal as a mined diamond, 10 on the Mohs scale, cut and graded the same way.
Are lab grown diamonds fake?
No. Fakes are simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. A lab grown diamond is diamond.
Can a jeweller tell a lab grown diamond from a mined one?
Not by eye. It takes specialist lab equipment, which is why the IGI report states the origin.
How much cheaper is a lab grown diamond?
In our 2026 listings, a 2 carat lab grown diamond had a median of $2,546 CAD against $9,905 CAD for a comparable natural stone.
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