Why Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are a great choice for a budget-friendly engagement ring. These diamonds are available in many shapes, sizes, and qualities. Interested in an Earth mined diamond? Check out some of our natural, GIA-graded earth mined diamond selection here.

Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: What’s the Difference?

A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond — chemically, physically, and optically identical to one pulled from the earth. The only difference is origin. Natural diamonds form over a billion years deep beneath the surface; lab-grown diamonds are created in a matter of weeks using one of two advanced processes — High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) — that recreate those same conditions in a controlled setting. The result is the same carbon crystal, the same hardness, and the same fire and brilliance. A jeweler’s diamond tester reads them as diamond, because they are.

What changes is price and rarity. Because lab-grown diamonds aren’t limited by mining, they typically cost a fraction of a comparable natural stone — which means a larger, higher-quality diamond for the same budget. They’re graded by the same independent labs (IGI, GIA, GCAL) on the same standards, so you can compare them side by side, and many couples appreciate the traceable, conflict-free origin.

• Choose lab-grown if you want the most size and quality for your budget, with the same look and certification.
• Choose natural if rarity, heritage, and long-term value matter most to you.

How to Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond: The 4 Cs

Every diamond — lab-grown or natural — is judged on four characteristics:

• Cut — the most important. Cut controls how light returns to your eye as sparkle. Prioritize an Excellent or Ideal cut above everything else; a well-cut diamond outshines a larger, poorly-cut one.
• Color — graded D (colorless) to Z. For a white look, D–H is excellent; G–H offers outstanding value and faces up colorless in most settings.
• Clarity — the tiny natural marks inside a stone. VS1–VS2 and many SI1 diamonds are “eye-clean,” meaning nothing is visible without magnification — the value sweet spot.
• Carat — weight, not size. Because lab-grown stones cost less per carat, you can often step up a size while keeping cut quality high.

Quick tip: prioritize Cut and an eye-clean Clarity, pick a near-colorless grade, and let Carat flex to your budget.

Diamond Shape Guide

Shape is the outline of the diamond and the biggest driver of its personality:

• Round Brilliant — the timeless classic; maximum sparkle and the most forgiving shape.
• Oval — elongating, looks slightly larger per carat, and flatters the finger; a modern favorite.
• Pear — a teardrop with one point and soft curves; elegant and distinctive.
• Princess — a crisp, contemporary square with brilliant sparkle.
• Cushion — a soft, pillowy square-to-rectangle with vintage warmth.
• Emerald — long, open “step-cut” facets that prize clarity and elegance over flash.
• Radiant — a cut-cornered rectangle with the sparkle of a round and the silhouette of an emerald.
• Marquise — a dramatic pointed oval that maximizes carat spread on the finger.
• Asscher — a stepped, octagonal square with Art-Deco character.
• Heart — a romantic, symmetrical statement shape.

Design Your Own Lab-Grown Diamond Ring in Carrollton

At LaProng, you don’t just pick a diamond — you set it yourself. Choose a certified lab-grown diamond from the selection above, then design and hand-build your engagement ring at the studio in Carrollton, minutes from Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Irving, and the wider Dallas–Fort Worth metro. Every diamond is independently certified, and our team guides you through each step. Book a workshop to get started.

Lab-Grown Diamond FAQ

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. They’re identical to mined diamonds in chemistry, structure, and appearance, and they test as diamond. The only difference is that they’re grown in a lab rather than mined.

Do lab-grown diamonds cost less?

Generally, yes — often a fraction of the price of a comparable natural diamond, so your budget goes further on size and quality.

Are they certified?

The diamonds in our selection are graded by independent labs such as IGI, GIA, or GCAL using the same 4 Cs standards applied to natural diamonds.

Will a lab-grown diamond pass a diamond tester?

Yes — because it is a diamond, it reads as diamond on standard testers.

Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?

They’re priced lower at purchase, and the resale market for lab-grown stones is still developing. Buy a lab-grown diamond for the beauty and value it offers today rather than as a financial investment.