15 Lab-Grown Diamond Myths Debunked (2025 Facts & Data)
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Time to read 6 min
Even though lab-grown diamonds are now a normal choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry, old myths still confuse buyers. Some come from outdated information, some from aggressive marketing, and some from simple misunderstanding.
This 2025 guide breaks down the 15 most common lab-grown diamond myths and counters each one with clear, practical facts and referenced industry insights. If you’re comparing lab-grown vs natural, or trying to explain your choice to friends or family, this is your shortcut to a calm, fact-based conversation.
Table of contents
Myth #1 — “Lab-grown diamonds are fake.” Myth #2 — “They don’t last long." Myth #3 — “They look different from natural diamonds.” Myth #4 — “Lab-grown diamonds get cloudy over time.” Myth #5 — “Lab-grown diamonds have no resale value.” Myth #6 — “Lab-grown diamonds are low quality.” Myth #7 — “Lab-grown diamonds are bad for the environment.” Myth #8 — “Lab-grown diamonds look cheap.” Myth #9 — “Lab-grown diamonds aren’t rare at all.” Myth #10 — “Lab-grown diamonds are not certified.” Myth #11 — “All lab-grown diamonds are identical.” Myth #12 — “They’re only for budget shoppers.” Myth #13 — “Celebrities only wear mined diamonds.” Myth #14 — “Lab-grown engagement rings aren’t meaningful.” Myth #15 — “Lab-grown diamonds are just a trend.” FAQ — Quick Answers on Lab-Grown Myths
Lab-grown diamonds are everywhere in 2025 — from Dubai to New York to London — yet you still hear the same doubts:
“Are they fake?”
“Do they last?”
“Will they hold value?”
Instead of letting rumors shape your decision, let’s go myth by myth and put facts in the front seat.
Myth #1 — “Lab-grown diamonds are fake.”
FACT: Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds.
Same carbon crystal structure
Same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale)
Same ability to reflect light and create sparkle
The only difference is where they form:
Natural: beneath the earth’s surface over billions of years
Lab-grown: inside controlled chambers using heat, pressure, and carbon\
According to GIA & IGI lab-grown education, 2023–2024.
Myth #2 — “They don’t last long."
FACT: A lab-grown diamond is just as durable as a mined diamond.
Diamonds (lab or natural) rank 10/10 on the Mohs hardness scale
They resist scratching from everyday materials
With normal care, they can be worn daily for a lifetime
According to IGI hardness and durability notes.
Myth #3 — “They look different from natural diamonds.”
FACT: To the naked eye, they look the same.
Both can show intense brightness, fire, and contrast
In real life, most people — including many jewelers — need special instruments to identify origin
What you actually see is cut quality, not origin
According to GIA studies on diamond origin and identification.
Myth #4 — “Lab-grown diamonds get cloudy over time.”
FACT: Diamonds don’t “fog up” with age.
True diamonds (lab or natural) do not become cloudy over time
Clouding and dullness are usually associated with simulants like cubic zirconia, not diamonds
A lab-grown diamond may pick up surface dirt or lotion — but that cleans off like any other diamond
According to IGI durability and care guidelines.
Myth #5 — “Lab-grown diamonds have no resale value.”
FACT: The resale conversation is more complex than “lab vs natural.”
Both mined and lab-grown diamonds resell for less than retail, because jewelry pricing includes markups
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Resale interest depends on:
Carat size
Clarity and color
Certification
Market demand
Most modern buyers don’t select their engagement ring as a financial investment — they focus on beauty, meaning, and quality at purchase.
According to Rapaport and Edahn Golan market commentary, 2024.
Myth #6 — “Lab-grown diamonds are low quality.”
FACT: Many lab-grown diamonds sit at higher clarity and color levels than similarly priced mined stones.
Lab conditions allow tighter control over growth
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It’s common to see:
D–H color
VVS–VS clarity
Ideal or Excellent cuts
This is one of the reasons lab-grown diamonds are so popular for high-spec engagement rings.
According to IGI lab-grown grading reports.
Myth #7 — “Lab-grown diamonds are bad for the environment.”
FACT: Lab-grown diamonds generally carry a lower environmental impact than large-scale mining.
No open-pit excavation
Reduced land and habitat disruption
Lower water usage
No blasting or heavy earth-moving machinery
Impact still depends on the energy mix used to power the growth facilities, but overall, lab-grown fits better with many buyers’ sustainability expectations.
According to Diamond Foundry environmental analysis; McKinsey luxury sustainability insights.
Myth #8 — “Lab-grown diamonds look cheap.”
FACT: Lab-grown diamonds often look more impressive for the same budget.
Because you can afford:
Larger carat sizes
Higher clarity
Better color
Stronger cut grades
The result on the hand is a ring that looks visually upgraded, not “less than.”
Myth #9 — “Lab-grown diamonds aren’t rare at all.”
FACT: High-quality lab-grown diamonds are not limitless.
They are limited by:
Technology and machine capacity
Production time
Quality control
Grading bottlenecks
Just like high-spec natural diamonds, large, clean, well-cut lab-grown stones sit in their own tier.
Accordinf to Edahn Golan lab-grown supply and pricing insights, 2024.
Myth #10 — “Lab-grown diamonds are not certified.”
FACT: Leading grading labs certify lab-grown diamonds with full reports.
IGI and GIA both issue grading for lab-grown diamonds
Reports include:
- Cut
Color
Clarity
Carat
Measurements and proportions
Additional comments and laser inscription
A certified lab-grown diamond is documented just like a certified natural diamond.
According to IGI & GIA lab-grown certification policies.
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Myth #11 — “All lab-grown diamonds are identical.”
FACT: Every lab-grown diamond still forms with its own internal fingerprint.
Growth patterns create different inclusion types and positions
Cut style, proportions, and facet choices vary
Color, fluorescence, and polish can differ from stone to stone
No two lab-grown diamonds look exactly the same under magnification — just like natural diamonds.
Myth #12 — “They’re only for budget shoppers.”
FACT: Lab-grown diamonds are chosen across all budget levels.
Luxury-focused buyers often select lab-grown because they:
Want more design freedom
Prefer larger center stones in refined settings
Care about impact and ethics, not just price
Lab-grown fits both entry-level and premium engagement ring budgets.
Myth #13 — “Celebrities only wear mined diamonds.”
FACT: More public figures now wear and openly mention lab-grown diamonds.
This shift mirrors broader luxury trends toward:
Traceability
Sustainability
New materials in fashion and jewelry
According to sustainability-focused jewelry coverage and red-carpet trend summaries.
Myth #14 — “Lab-grown engagement rings aren’t meaningful.”
FACT: The meaning of a ring comes from the relationship, not the geology.
Modern couples care that their ring reflects:
Shared values
Thoughtful budget decisions
A sourcing story that feels aligned
A design that matches their everyday life
For many, a lab-grown diamond carries more emotional weight because it reflects an intentional, conscious choice.
Myth #15 — “Lab-grown diamonds are just a trend.”
FACT: All available signals point toward long-term category growth.
Forecasts for the next few years suggest:
Rising lab-grown share in engagement rings
Ongoing demand for 2–4 carat stones
Deeper adoption across major markets
Strong presence in both online and in-store offerings
Lab-grown diamonds are not a short-term spike — they’re a new default option for many buyers.
FAQ — Quick Answers on Lab-Grown Myths
Are lab-grown diamonds real?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are physically and chemically identical to natural diamonds.
Do lab-grown diamonds get cloudy?
No. Diamonds do not cloud with age. Any dullness usually comes from dirt or product buildup and can be cleaned.
Do lab-grown diamonds come with certification?
Yes. Reputable lab-grown diamonds are graded by IGI or GIA with full reports.
Are lab-grown diamonds environmentally friendly?
They have a significantly lower environmental footprint than large-scale mining and align better with many modern sustainability expectations.
Are lab-grown diamonds becoming more popular?
Yes. Market data shows continuous growth in demand and engagement ring adoption through 2025 and beyond.
⭐ Summary — What This Means for 2025 Buyers
Lab-grown diamonds are real, durable, and certifiable.
They offer more size and higher clarity for the same budget.
Environmental and ethical advantages are key reasons for global adoption.
Resale myths often ignore the reality that both mined and lab-grown are subject to retail markups.
Market forecasts show lab-grown diamonds moving from “alternative” to mainstream standard.
If you like the way a lab-grown diamond looks, trust the facts — not the myths.
Nehil Kakadia
This guide is authored by the founder of Buvea Jewels LLC, a hands-on diamond and jewellery professional based in Dubai. With deep experience in lab-grown and natural diamonds, manufacturing, and global customer support, he writes to give buyers clear, data-backed guidance on diamond pricing, quality, and certification—without confusion or hidden agendas.
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