The short answer: lab grown, lab created and cultured all describe a diamond grown in a laboratory, and synthetic is an older term for the same thing that some markets and standards still use. We use lab grown, and we say plainly what a stone is wherever it appears.
A lab grown diamond has the same crystal structure and chemical composition as a mined diamond. The difference is origin. Because buyers meet several terms, and because wording differs between countries, it helps to know what each one means and why it matters.
The terms
| Term | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Lab grown | Grown in a laboratory. The most common consumer term. |
| Laboratory grown | The same, in a fuller form that some labs and regulators prefer. |
| Lab created | A softer sounding variant of the same idea. |
| Cultured | Used in marketing in some places, and sometimes disputed by regulators. |
| Synthetic | An older, technical term. It can be misread as meaning fake, which is why many sellers avoid it in consumer copy. |
Is a lab grown diamond real?
It is a real diamond in the sense that it is made of carbon crystallised in the diamond structure. It is not a simulant such as cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are different materials. The honest distinction is between mined and lab grown, not between real and fake.
Why the wording matters
- Clear wording protects you from misleading descriptions.
- Reports and certificates should state the origin.
- Rules on how sellers may describe stones differ between countries, so a term that is accepted in one place may be discouraged in another.
Simulants are different
Cubic zirconia, moissanite and glass are sometimes sold as diamond look alikes. They are different materials with different properties, and they should be described as simulants. A lab grown diamond is chemically a diamond, and it is graded by the same laboratories on the same scales. If a seller is vague about which one you are buying, ask for the report. See moissanite vs lab grown diamond.
Words for growth methods
You may also see HPHT and CVD on a report or listing. These describe the two main ways a lab grown diamond is made, either under high pressure and temperature or from a carbon rich gas. They are not quality grades, and both produce real diamonds. A report may also mention any treatment after growth. See HPHT and CVD lab grown diamonds.
What we do
We describe each stone as natural or lab grown, and we say which on every listing, quote and report. If you see a term you are unsure of, ask us, and we will explain it in plain words.
How to read a description
- Look for the words natural or lab grown, or laboratory grown.
- Check that the report states the origin and the report number.
- Be cautious of descriptions that avoid saying how a stone was made.
See what a lab grown diamond report must show. You can see both kinds in our lab grown colourless diamonds and diamonds collections. For how the rules compare between countries, see how the FTC, UK and Australian rules differ on lab grown wording. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
Frequently asked questions
Is lab grown the same as synthetic? In diamonds, they describe the same kind of stone, though synthetic can sound negative.
Is cultured the same as lab grown? It is used for the same thing in some marketing, but it is not a term we use.
Does lab grown mean fake? No. A fake is a simulant. A lab grown diamond is a diamond.
Are HPHT and CVD quality grades? No, they describe how the stone was grown.
Will a report say lab grown? A good report states the origin clearly, so check the wording on it.