The Industry Has Changed. Here’s an Honest Look at What That Means for You.
If you’ve shopped for diamond jewelry in the last few years, you’ve noticed something: lab grown diamonds are everywhere. Prices have dropped dramatically, marketing is aggressive, and the conversation around “real” vs. “created” diamonds has gotten louder and more confusing than ever.
At Abla Jewelers, we believe you deserve a clear-eyed, honest explanation – not a sales pitch in either direction. So here’s what you actually need to know about lab grown diamonds in 2026, including the advantages, the trade-offs, and how to decide what’s right for you.
What Exactly Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. That’s not a marketing claim – it’s chemistry. Lab grown diamonds are composed of the same carbon crystal structure as mined diamonds. They have the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same optical properties, the same refractive brilliance. A gemologist cannot tell the difference with the naked eye.
The only difference is origin. A mined diamond formed over billions of years under the earth’s crust. A lab grown diamond was created in weeks using one of two processes:
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) – Mimics the natural conditions deep in the earth. A carbon seed is exposed to extreme pressure and heat until a diamond forms around it.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) – A carbon-rich gas is ionized in a chamber, and carbon atoms gradually deposit onto a diamond seed, building up layer by layer into a full diamond crystal.
Both processes produce genuine diamonds. The Federal Trade Commission agrees – since 2018, the FTC has recognized lab grown diamonds simply as “diamonds,” requiring only that sellers disclose their origin.
Why Lab Grown Diamonds Have Exploded in Popularity
The surge in lab grown diamond sales over the past several years comes down to a few converging factors:
Price – This is the big one. Lab grown diamonds now sell for 60-80% less than comparable mined diamonds. A stone that would have cost $8,000 mined might run $1,500-$2,500 as a lab grown equivalent. For budget-conscious buyers who want a large, high-quality stone, this is a compelling argument.
Ethics and transparency – A segment of buyers – particularly younger shoppers – have strong feelings about supply chain ethics. Lab grown diamonds sidestep concerns about mining labor practices and conflict diamond sourcing entirely, which matters deeply to some customers.
Environmental narrative – Lab grown diamonds are often marketed as the environmentally responsible choice. The reality is more nuanced (diamond growing facilities use significant energy), but the perception of a lower environmental footprint resonates with environmentally conscious buyers.
Accessibility to larger stones – When budget is a factor, lab grown allows buyers to step up significantly in size. A shopper who could afford a 0.75 carat mined diamond might opt for a 2 carat lab grown at a similar price. For people who prioritize the visual impact of size, this trade-off is real and appealing.
Quality consistency – Lab grown diamonds can be produced with fewer inclusions and more color consistency than most mined diamonds. Flawless or near-flawless stones that would be extraordinarily rare in nature are more readily available in lab grown form.
The Trade-Off: What Lab Grown Diamonds Don’t Have
Here’s where the conversation requires honesty that a lot of sellers skip over.
Resale value – Mined diamonds hold value over time. They can be resold, traded, passed down with real monetary worth. Lab grown diamonds have collapsed in resale value as production has scaled. A lab grown diamond purchased for $2,000 today may be worth a fraction of that in five years. If you ever plan to sell, upgrade, or pass on your jewelry, this matters.
Rarity – Part of what makes a mined diamond valuable is that it genuinely cannot be manufactured at will. There are a finite number of them in the earth. Lab grown diamonds can theoretically be produced in unlimited quantities, and as production technology improves and scales, prices are likely to continue declining.
The sentimental dimension – This one is personal and subjective, but it’s real. Many people find meaning in the fact that a natural diamond is billions of years old, formed without human intervention, and genuinely unique. For someone who places value on that story, a lab grown diamond – however physically identical – doesn’t carry the same feeling. Neither perspective is wrong. They’re just different priorities.
Long-term uncertainty – Lab grown diamonds are a relatively new market category. What happens to their perceived value over the next 20 years is genuinely unknown. Natural diamonds have a 500-year track record as a store of value. Lab grown diamonds do not.
How to Think About the Decision
Rather than declaring one type of diamond superior, here’s a practical framework for thinking it through:
Choose lab grown if: Your priority is maximizing size and visual impact within a specific budget, resale value isn’t a factor, and you love the idea of a stone with a fully transparent origin story.
Choose mined if: You want a piece that holds long-term monetary value, the natural origin and geological age of the stone matters to you personally, or you’re planning a piece that will be an heirloom.
It’s not either/or: Many couples choose a lab grown center stone with a natural diamond accent setting, or invest in a lab grown diamond for fashion jewelry while keeping natural diamonds for engagement rings. There’s no rule.
What the Jewelry Industry Is Doing With This Shift
The rise of lab grown diamonds has genuinely disrupted the industry. Several major retailers have pulled back from natural diamonds entirely or shifted heavily toward lab grown inventory. Diamond mining companies have launched aggressive campaigns to differentiate natural stones. Some independent jewelers have stopped carrying lab grown altogether.
At Abla Jewelers, our position is simple: we’re here to help you make the best decision for your situation. We carry both, we’re transparent about the differences, and we’ll never push you toward one over the other based on margin. The right diamond is the one that fits your priorities, your budget, and the story you want to tell.
What to Look for When Shopping Lab Grown
If you decide lab grown is the right choice, here’s what to pay attention to:
Certification – Look for diamonds certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These certifications verify the stone’s specifications and confirm it’s disclosed as lab grown.
The four Cs still matter – Don’t let the lower price point lull you into ignoring cut, color, clarity, and carat. A poorly cut lab grown diamond is still a poorly cut diamond. Cut especially determines brilliance – don’t compromise on it.
Understand the setting – The metal, prong style, and overall craftsmanship of the setting determine how the stone looks and how it holds up over time. A beautiful diamond in a mediocre setting is a missed opportunity.
Ask about origin disclosure – Any reputable jeweler should be transparent about whether a stone is lab grown or mined, clearly and upfront. If a seller is evasive about this, that’s a red flag.
The Bottom Line
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds at a fraction of the price, with a transparent supply chain and accessibility to sizes that were out of reach for many buyers just five years ago. They’re also a newer category with real unknowns around long-term value and resale.
Mined diamonds carry billions of years of geology, a centuries-long track record as a store of value, and a meaning that many buyers find irreplaceable – at a price point that reflects their rarity.
Neither is the wrong answer. The right choice depends on what you value.
If you want to see both options in person, compare stones side by side, and talk through the decision with someone who isn’t trying to push you either way – we’d love to have that conversation.
Stop by Abla Jewelers and let us help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
