Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: What You Actually Need to Know

The short answer: lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Not diamond-like. Not simulated. They are diamonds.

They have the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same refractive index, and the same brilliance.

How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made

HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature): Replicates natural conditions deep in the Earth's mantle. A small diamond seed is subjected to extreme heat (around 1,500 C) and pressure. Carbon crystallizes around the seed.

CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): A diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is ionized into plasma and carbon atoms build the diamond layer by layer.

Both methods produce diamonds that are physically, chemically, and optically identical to mined diamonds.

The Price Difference

Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 60 to 80 percent less than equivalent mined diamonds. This is not because they are inferior. The supply chain is simply shorter.

Why Le Fling Uses Lab-Grown Exclusively

Our manufacturing partner, Ultimate Diamond, has worked with both mined and lab-grown diamonds for decades. Lab-grown allows us to offer real, certified, fine diamond jewelry at a price point that makes a subscription model work. Same sparkle. Same hardness. Fraction of the cost.