Lab-Grown Diamond Guide
What Are the Disadvantages of Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Explore the limitations of lab-grown diamonds, including resale value, changing prices, rarity, certification and after-sales service.
The disadvantages of lab-grown diamonds relate more to your expectations as a buyer than to whether the stone is a diamond. Buying jewellery for investment, rarity, tradition, appearance or everyday wear can lead to different conclusions.
1. Resale Value May Be Uncertain
The second-hand market for lab-grown diamonds is newer and more limited than the market for natural diamonds. You should not assume that the purchase price will be maintained or that the stone will be bought back for a particular amount. If a buyback is promised, review the conditions in writing.
2. Prices of New Stones Can Change
As production capacity and competition increase, prices of new stones with similar characteristics can change. It is therefore more sensible to assess a lab-grown diamond in terms of design, wear and emotional value rather than as a short-term financial investment.
You can explore the price components in why lab-grown diamond prices differ.
3. It May Not Meet Expectations of Rarity
If natural formation and geological rarity are an important part of your reason for buying, a lab-grown diamond may not carry the same emotional meaning. However, it may suit buyers who prioritise appearance, technical characteristics and a more accessible carat weight.
4. Misleading or Unclear Descriptions Are a Risk
A product may contain a lab-grown diamond, moissanite or cubic zirconia. These materials are not the same. Do not buy if the stone's origin and material are not clearly stated.
The differences between lab-grown diamonds, moissanite and zirconia explain this distinction.
5. Certification Does Not Have the Same Scope for Every Product
Small side stones may not be reported individually. Even if the centre stone has a report, check the actual report record and whether it matches the product. A photograph of the document alone is not enough.
6. CVD or HPHT Can Be Misinterpreted
The growth method is not a quality grade. A stone being CVD or HPHT does not, by itself, make it better, worse or more valuable. The final cut, colour, clarity, dimensions and report should be assessed together.
Read the CVD and HPHT comparison for details.
7. You May Pay Unnecessarily for Very High Grades
Top grades such as D-VVS are impressive on paper, but the difference from E-VS may not be visible in everyday wear. Spending your budget solely on report grades can mean compromising on the cut or setting.
8. Seller and Service Quality Vary
A good stone does not guarantee good workmanship in the setting or good after-sales service. Review the terms for prong checks, resizing, maintenance, returns, shipping and warranty separately.
Who Might It Not Suit?
- Buyers who make geological rarity central to their purchase
- Buyers expecting a guaranteed resale price or investment return
- Buyers who care only about the brand or traditional perception
- Second-hand buyers who do not want the stone's origin to be explicitly disclosed
Who Might Find It a Sensible Choice?
- Buyers wanting a larger stone or higher specifications for the same budget
- Buyers who want to compare stones using reports
- Buyers who put design and everyday wear ahead of investment expectations
- Buyers who prefer transparent purchases with the stone's origin clearly stated
Questions to Ask Before Deciding
- Why am I buying this piece of jewellery?
- Is resale value important to me?
- Can the report number be verified?
- Are centre-stone carat weight and total carat weight stated separately?
- Are the return and warranty terms in writing?
- Have I seen a video of the actual product?
Use the buying checklist to assess your options and compare lab-grown diamond rings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab-grown diamonds worthless?
No. They have material, workmanship, gold, design and report characteristics to consider. However, their resale market and price behaviour should not be assumed to be the same as those of natural diamonds.
Are lab-grown diamonds fake?
They are not diamond lookalikes; they have a crystalline carbon structure. Nevertheless, their laboratory origin must be clearly disclosed to the consumer.
Should I buy one?
It may be a sensible choice if appearance, budget and wear are high priorities, while investment or geological rarity are lower priorities.
Source
- CIBJO diamond terminology guide