Myths Debunked: The Truth About Lab-Grown Diamonds and Gems

When it comes to diamonds and gemstones, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around—especially about lab-grown options. Many mistakenly believe that lab-grown diamonds and gems are “fake” or inferior to natural stones, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, lab-grown jewels are every bit as real and stunning as those formed beneath the Earth’s surface. Yet, myths about their authenticity, value, and appearance continue to circulate. Let’s set the record straight by debunking some of the most common misconceptions about lab-grown diamonds and gems.

Myth #1: Lab-grown diamonds and gems are fake

Fact: Lab-grown diamonds and gems are real because they are chemically, physically, and visually identical to those formed by the earth. Therefore they cannot be “fake.” When something is fake, its chemical and/or physical properties are different from the real thing. 

Let’s consider a few everyday examples of things that are actually fake:

• Impossible burgers and other plant-based “meats” 
• Faux leather which is plastic designed to look and feel like animal hide
• Laminate “wood” floors 

As you can see, these items are designed to taste/look/feel like the real thing but they fall short because they’re made of totally different materials. 

The difference between lab-grown and natural gems is their origin. Lab-growns are simply cultivated in a controlled environment using advanced techniques that replicate a diamond or gem’s natural formation process. 

Again, here are a few common examples of things that are real, but developed with the help of man-made technologies:

• A flower from a greenhouse is still a flower
• Ice formed inside your freezer is still frozen water 
• A baby conceived through IVF is still a human

No one would say that these things aren’t real because we understand the difference between where something is made vs what it’s made of. The same is true for jewels.

Myth #2: Natural diamonds are better investments

Fact: Diamonds should not be considered an investment because they do not appreciate in value. In fact, if you buy a natural diamond at retail price and try to sell it later, you’d be lucky to get a third of what you paid. There are several reasons for this so I’ll elaborate in a separate post. Just know this: unless you’re dealing with an extremely rare, massive stone, it’s not going to hold its value. 

Myth #3: You can identify a lab-grown diamond by looking at it

Fact: Visually, you cannot distinguish between a lab-grown and natural diamond without advanced tools and expertise. Special equipment is required to detect differences in growth patterns or trace elements.

For example:

• Natural diamonds often contain nitrogen impurities, while lab-grown diamonds are typically nitrogen-free.
• Under magnification, lab-grown diamonds may show metallic inclusions, whereas natural diamonds often have organic inclusions resembling tiny feathers.

Accurate identification requires both a trained gemologist and advanced equipment. Claims to the contrary are either uninformed or intentionally misleading.

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Lab-grown diamonds and gems are as real as their natural counterparts, sharing identical properties and stunning beauty. The only distinction lies in their origin. By debunking these myths, I hope to empower you with the facts to help you make informed choices about your jewelry. After all, real is about what something is, not where it comes from.