The short answer is yes. But understanding why, makes them even more interesting.
One of the questions I hear most often is whether lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. It is a fair question, especially when two diamonds can look exactly identical but have very different origins.
Same Diamond, Different Origins
The answer lies in understanding what makes a diamond a diamond.
A natural diamond forms deep within the Earth over millions or even billions of years, under extraordinary heat and pressure. A lab-grown diamond is created in a controlled environment using advanced technology that allows carbon atoms to grow into the same crystal structure.
The result is a diamond with essentially the same chemical composition, physical properties, and optical characteristics as a natural diamond.
Both are made of crystallized carbon. Both have the same hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, and both interact with light in the way that gives diamonds their distinctive brilliance and fire.
The difference is how they came into existence, not whether one is a real diamond.
Not to Be Confused with Diamond Simulants
Lab-grown diamonds are sometimes confused with cubic zirconia or moissanite. While these stones can resemble diamonds, they are different materials with different properties.
Cubic zirconia is a synthetic material made from zirconium dioxide. It is softer than diamonds and may develop scratches and lose some of its original brilliance with regular wear. Moissanite, on the other hand, is made of silicon carbide and is known for its distinctive rainbow-like flashes of light, often more pronounced than those seen in a diamond.
A lab-grown diamond is not an imitation of a diamond. It is a diamond.
In fact, distinguishing a natural diamond from a lab-grown diamond generally requires specialized gemological equipment. Their appearance alone is not a reliable way to identify their origin.
What Matters Beyond Origin
As a jewelry designer, I find that the conversation becomes more interesting when we move beyond a diamond’s origin and look at the diamond itself.
Cut, proportions, symmetry, and the way a stone interacts with light all influence its beauty. Two diamonds with identical carat weight, color, and clarity grades can look surprisingly different when placed side by side.
This is why I believe diamond selection should go beyond the numbers on a certificate. Understanding how a diamond performs visually is just as important as understanding its specifications.
Why I Choose to Work With Lab-Grown Diamonds
For me, lab-grown diamonds open exciting possibilities in jewelry design.
They allow me to explore proportions, experiment with different diamond shapes, and create pieces that feel distinctive without compromising on the qualities that make diamonds so beautiful.
I have always been drawn to jewelry that balances precision with individuality. Whether it’s a classic pair of diamond studs or a more unexpected design, I believe the smallest decisions in proportion, setting, and craftsmanship make the greatest difference.
Lab-grown diamonds give me another way to bring that philosophy to life.
A Different Origin. The Same Brilliance.
Natural and lab-grown diamonds have different stories, and there is room to appreciate both.
What matters is understanding what you are choosing.
At DiamondEditNYC, the focus is on carefully selected lab-grown diamonds, considered design, and fine jewelry created to become part of everyday life.
Because ultimately, a beautiful piece of jewelry is about more than the diamond itself. It is about how thoughtfully that diamond is chosen, designed, and made into something you will love wearing.
Ambika Keskar, founder and designer, DiamondEditNYC
Keep reading: our Diamond Guide, or book a consultation with Ambika.