Are Lab Grown Diamonds Worth It? Value, Resale and Who They Suit
Are lab grown diamonds worth it? If you want a real diamond with the look and hardness of a mined one, for far less money, they are excellent value. If you hope your stone will hold or grow its value, they are not. Here is the full picture.
A real diamond, made in a lab
A lab grown diamond is carbon crystal with the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a mined diamond. Only its origin differs: it is grown in weeks in a lab instead of over millions of years underground. In 2018 the US Federal Trade Commission updated its Jewelry Guides so that a diamond is defined by what it is, not where it came from, which is why lab grown diamonds are sold as diamonds with a clear "lab grown" description.
It rates 10 on the Mohs scale, most labs grade it on the same color, clarity, cut and carat scale (GIA now uses broader "premium" and "standard" categories; see IGI vs GIA), and a standard diamond tester reads it as diamond.
Where the value is
- Price. A lab grown diamond costs a small fraction of a comparable mined diamond. That gap is the main reason most couples choose one.
- Size and quality for the budget. The same spend buys a larger or higher-grade stone than a mined diamond would.
- The diamond look. Compared with moissanite, a lab grown diamond shows the classic, whiter diamond sparkle with less rainbow fire.
- No mining. For many buyers, that matters.
The honest part: prices and resale
Lab grown diamond prices have fallen steeply since around 2020 as production has grown and become more efficient. Trade reports suggest the fall slowed in 2025 and 2026, but no one can promise where prices will go. For current ring prices by carat, see our lab grown diamond price guide.
That affects resale. Because new stones keep getting cheaper and supply isn't limited, the secondhand market pays little for lab grown diamonds, and many jewelers will not buy them back at all. Mined diamonds also sell for well below their retail price, but lab grown stones lose more.
So the right way to think about a lab grown diamond is the way most people think about a wedding dress or a great watch: you buy it to wear and enjoy, not to sell. If that is how you see it, the value is excellent.
Where to spend your budget
- Cut first. Cut drives sparkle more than any other factor. Choose a well-proportioned stone over a slightly larger poorly cut one.
- Color: near-colorless is plenty. E-F is colorless; G-H still looks white in most settings, especially yellow or rose gold.
- Clarity: eye-clean is the goal. You rarely need the very top clarity grades unless you choose a step cut like an emerald or Asscher, which shows inclusions more easily.
- Carat: compare millimetres. Shape changes how big a carat looks; long shapes like oval, pear and marquise look larger. See our 2 carat guide for typical sizes.
- Setting and metal. A secure setting in solid gold or platinum protects the stone for decades.
Our lab grown diamond listings describe the centre stones as E-F color and VVS clarity, and each piece ships with a Bhumi Gems certificate of authenticity. We do not include independent lab grading reports.
Lab grown, mined or moissanite?
| Lab grown diamond | Mined diamond | Moissanite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Diamond | Diamond | Silicon carbide, a different gem |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 10 | 9.25 |
| Look | Classic diamond sparkle | Classic diamond sparkle | More rainbow fire |
| Price for the same size | Moderate | Highest | Lowest |
| Resale | Low | Below retail | Very low |
If you want the most sparkle and size for the least money and don't need a diamond, read is moissanite worth it? For a full side-by-side, see Moissanite vs Lab Grown Diamonds.
Who lab grown diamonds suit
- Couples who want a real diamond but not a mined-diamond price.
- Anyone who wants a larger or higher-grade diamond for their budget.
- People who care about avoiding newly mined stones.
Quick answers
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. They have the same properties as mined diamonds and are sold as diamonds with a "lab grown" description.
Will a lab grown diamond look different over time?
No. It is as hard and stable as any diamond and keeps its sparkle with simple cleaning.
Do lab grown diamonds hold their value?
No. Resale prices are low. Buy one because you love it, not as an investment.
Can a jeweler tell it's lab grown?
Not with a standard tester. It takes specialized lab equipment to tell a lab grown diamond from a mined one.
Ready to look? Browse our lab grown diamond engagement rings.