Can Lab Diamonds have color?

Yes. Lab stones have the same chemical makeup as natural Diamonds, so they come in multiple colors like natural stones. This means that labs can be colorless, nearly colorless, pink, gray, blue, yellow, etc.! Also, the unique methods used to make lab stones (HPHT and CVD) can cause higher amounts of trace elements to be introduced into the mix. This is why some labs exhibit pinkish, grayish, or bluish tones that are rare in natural stones.

Because of these hues, if you’re looking for a truly colorless white, sticking to DEF is the easiest way to achieve this look. Otherwise, take a 360° look at the color of your nearly colorless diamond from behind – is it yellow? Pinkish? Gray? Blue? One of my favorites is a slightly pinkish champagne that I call a “tea rose” color. Those looking for a stronger, darker look might enjoy gray! There’s a veritable rainbow of these subtle hues to enjoy – or you could go for a truly colorless one! This is a personal preference, and there’s something for everyone. It’s important to know what you’re looking for and what you’re getting.

What is blue nuance?

Blue nuance is a slightly bluish tint that can occur in the laboratory from trace elements such as boron. Blue nuance is usually (though not always) noted on the diamond's certificate. It is most common in colors H, I, and J, but I have seen it up to color E. Boron is extremely rare in natural diamonds and incredibly expensive (the Hope Diamond is blue from boron!).

There is serious disagreement in the jewelry industry about the blue nuance. Some people like the icy look, while others argue that the blue nuance is a negative because blue is so rare in natural stones. I personally am a fan of the blue nuance. I even sourced one for a friend who was later told it looked like a $2 million stone. I think the blue nuance is a great option for those looking at nearly colorless stones in white gold and platinum, as the icy hue complements the metal so well.

When couples are looking at yellow or rose gold, I recommend a colorless or standard yellow/brownish hue. This is because the blue hue can distract from the warm metal. Or, you could check out these tea rose beauties! Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, so I recommend doing your homework and making your own decisions on preferences; they are all gorgeous!

FACT: Labs come in more shades than natural colors; look for blue nuances, tea rose, and gray tones.

Myth #3: You Can Easily Tell Lab From Natural

Can you tell the difference between Lab-Created and Man-Made diamonds and natural diamonds?

High quality lab and natural Diamonds are indistinguishable to the naked eye. They are vibrant, sparkling and beautiful. Labs, especially those showing a pink, grey or blue hue, may give a slight hint to the most attentive viewer, as these colors are very rare in natural form. On the other hand, Diamonds showing crystal strain will definitely appear man-made, so it is very important to avoid crystal strain.

Can a jeweler tell if a diamond is lab-grown?

Yes, because Lab and Man-Made stones have a microscopic engraving around them that tells jewelers about their Lab and Man-Made origins. This inscription is invisible to the naked eye, so while it is not visible to the casual viewer, a jeweler can use a microscope to verify it. All Lab stones over 0.25 carats are inscribed this way, so there is no concern that the Lab diameter could be sold as natural or vice versa.

FACT: Lab and Man-Made Diamonds and natural Diamonds are identical to the naked eye, however, Lab and Man-Made Diamonds have microscopic writing stating that it is Lab and Man-Made.

Myth 4: Lab-Made and Man-Made Diamonds Are Worthless

Do Lab and Man-Made Diamonds have any value?

Yes! Just like there is a secondary market for natural diamonds (think Ebay, Magnifier Group, IDoNowIDont), there is a secondary market for labs! In fact, the same places that sell natural diamonds also sell real estate lab stones. It is true that labs are sold for a little less than comparable naturals, but this is to be expected since labs start at 30-50% of the cost of naturals. So while some natural only diamond sellers try to scare people into thinking that labs are "worthless", a simple online search proves that this is not the case.

Are Lab Diamonds a good investment?

In our opinion, any form of jewellery should not be considered a short-term investment, as it can take years for its value to increase, and even then supply and demand can change. In general, you cannot buy a natural diamond and sell it for a profit within a few years, nor can you expect to make a quick profit from a laboratory. Investing in jewellery should be seen as an inheritance: it is your children who will profit from your diamond, not you. Therefore, when choosing an engagement stone, we advise our clients to think in terms of its intrinsic value: the look they want and what makes them happy. In this way, the long-term value of your stone will increase, while you will also benefit from its benefits.

Why are Lab Diamonds cheaper?

Lab and Man-Made stones are about 30-50% cheaper than natural Diamonds because it takes less money and effort to create Diamonds than to mine them. Natural Diamonds are very rare and require a deep dive into the Earth's crust to extract gemstone quality stones. This requires a lot of people, machinery, time and luck. (I was exhausted from doing top-level shell mining on my last trip to the Arkansas Diamond mine, let alone the arduous deep shell work they do in Africa, Canada and Russia! And I left without a Diamond.)

Laboratory stones can be produced in a laboratory environment with controlled methods upon request. This means less time, energy and resources are spent. And these savings are also reflected in laboratory pricing!

FACT: Labs are less expensive than natural labs and have a healthy secondary market value.