Lab-Grown Diamonds

What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

A clear introduction to diamond origins, growth methods and the questions worth asking.

By Zero TOctober 13, 2026

Quick answer

A lab-grown diamond is diamond produced in a controlled manufacturing environment. It shares essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical properties as natural diamond, but has a different origin.

What the name means

Laboratory-grown, lab-created, man-made and synthetic are terms used for this origin. Here, synthetic describes how the diamond was produced; it does not mean the stone is simply glass or a look-alike. Clear origin disclosure matters when comparing jewelry.

How it is produced

The two principal growth methods are high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Both create diamond crystals that can subsequently be cut and polished for jewelry.

How to approach your choice

Separate the origin question from the individual stone. Ask what the seller is offering, whether there is an independent laboratory report, and what that report says. Keep the report and purchase description together.

Where to read next

Continue with our guides to whether lab-grown diamonds are real, how they are made, and how they compare with natural diamonds. Start with the question that matters most to you rather than treating a name as a quality rating.