Lab grown diamonds - current pricing
Rough diamonds from various origins: laboratory-grown CVD rough diamond (left), laboratory-grown HPHT rough diamond (middle), natural rough diamond (right).
Courtesy of GIA
Pros and cons
Why choose lab-grown diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds offer a contemporary alternative for those seeking flexibility:
Accessible Luxury – Typically 30–50% more affordable than natural diamonds
Design Flexibility – Allows for larger or higher-grade stones within budget
Comparable Appearance – Similar brilliance and visual appeal
Transparent Origins – Produced in controlled environments, with clearly traceable creation
At Solid Gold Diamonds, every diamond we offer—natural or lab-grown—is selected with a commitment to transparency, integrity, and expert craftsmanship. Our natural diamonds adhere to the Kimberley Process, ensuring they are responsibly sourced and conflict-free.
However, for those drawn to rarity, provenance, and enduring legacy, natural diamonds continue to represent the pinnacle of fine jewellery.
(Courtesy of GIA via Suncrest Diamonds)
The Process
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Lab-grown diamonds are created using two advanced methods:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
Replicates the high-pressure conditions found within the earth
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)
Grows diamonds layer by layer from carbon-rich gases
While technologically advanced, these processes contrast with the extraordinary natural journey of mined diamonds, formed under unique geological conditions over billions of years.
Grading
The 4Cs of lab-grown diamonds
Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are evaluated using the Four Cs:
Cut – Determines brilliance, fire, and light performance
Colour – Graded from D (colourless) to Z. GIA do not provide a traditional colour grading instead dividing into 2 categories, Premium or Standard.
Clarity – Measures internal and surface characteristics
Carat Weight – Refers to the diamond’s weight
Although grading standards are identical, rarity remains a defining factor that distinguishes natural diamonds as true luxury assets.
(Courtesy of GIA)
(Courtesy of GIA)
Know what you're buying
Certification & authenticity
All lab-grown diamonds should be certified by reputable laboratories, such as:
IGI (International Gemological Institute)
GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
At Solid Gold Diamonds, all lab-grown diamonds are IGI certified, ensuring confidence in quality and grading accuracy.
Buy with confidence
A reputable certified lab-grown diamond provides assurance of quality and authenticity.
At Solid Gold Diamonds, we are committed to guiding each client toward the diamond that best reflects their values—whether that be modern innovation or the enduring rarity of natural diamonds, which remain the ultimate expression of luxury.
The Four C's
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size. As larger diamonds are rarer, price rises exponentially with carat weight.
The word ‘carat’ is taken from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales in ancient times, but it is not to be confused with the word ‘karat’, which is the method for determining the purity of gold.
However, carat alone does not define beauty. A well‑cut diamond of smaller carat weight can appear larger and more brilliant than a heavier, poorly cut stone.
(Courtesy of GIA)
