What are lab-grown diamonds and how are they created?

Lab-grown diamonds are physically identical to natural diamonds, but instead of being mined from the earth, they’re created in a certified laboratory facility. “Although they have essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a natural diamond, their growth structure and atomic level defects allow them to be readily separated from natural diamonds by a well-equipped laboratory such as GIA,” Ong says. As for the scientific process of how lab-grown diamonds are made, Ong says it’s simple. “A small slither of a diamond, known as a ‘seed’ is put into a sealed chamber where immense heat and crushing pressure surrounds the stone for several weeks resulting in gasses sticking to the seed and growing the diamond in size,” she says. “The final product is a rough diamond, ready to be cut and polished for use in jewelry,” Magaña adds that lab-grown diamonds form differently from mined diamonds, which is how specialists can distinguish them.

Are lab-grown diamonds graded similarly to mined diamonds?

A fully formed lab-grown diamond undergoes a similar rating system to mined diamonds. "The GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Reports specify the color and clarity of laboratory-grown diamonds, using the same 4Cs terms used for natural diamonds,” Magaña says.

Are lab-grown diamonds simulated?

One way to not think of lab-grown diamonds is as imitations or simulants. “This is incorrect. Simulants—materials that simulate or imitate the appearance of diamonds, like cubic zirconia or moissanite —only look like diamonds,” Magaña says. “They have very different chemical and physical properties that allow trained gemologists to identify them easily.”

20 Best Lab-Grown Earrings of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

A gorgeous pair of diamond earrings is a lifelong investment piece that can be passed down through generations. It’s a sparkling look that lasts! Until recently, mined diamonds were the only type of diamond used in jewelry, but during the middle of the 20th century, lab-grown diamonds stepped into the jewelry scene.

“Laboratory-grown diamonds were originally introduced in the 1950s for industrial purposes,” GIA Research Scientist Dr. Sally Magaña tells Brides. She explains that in recent years, gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds have grown in commercial popularity and availability. “With the advancement of technology and growing consumer demands, laboratory-grown diamonds have a legitimate place in the jewelry industry as long as they are properly disclosed.”

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This means you can get real diamonds for a fraction of the price of mined diamonds, and they can be a more sustainable choice, too. To help you find the perfect pair of earrings for your wedding day, we've researched the best options with this expert insight in mind. Plus, we tested several diamond earrings for ourselves. We determined our final picks based on brilliance, style, price point, and overall quality.

From classic studs and diamond-adorned hoops to unique diamond pieces for a twist on tradition, read on for the best lab-grown diamond earrings on the market now.

Our Top Picks

Best Understated:

12FIFTEEN Round Cut Stud Earrings at 1215diamonds.com (See Price)

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Best Teardrop Shape:

Clean Origin Pear Diamond Stud Earrings at Clean Origin (See Price)

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Best Studs:

VRAI Solitaire Stud at Vrai ($500)

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Best Hoops:

Keyzar Inside Out Pave Hoops at Keyzarjewelry.com (See Price)

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Best Drop Earrings:

Diamond Nexus Emerald Cut Solitare Drop Earrings at Diamondnexus.com (See Price)

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Best Dangle Design:

VRAI Duo Dangle Earring at Vrai (See Price)

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Most Subtle:

Abbott Lyon Luxe Diamond Stud Earrings at Abbottlyon.com (See Price)

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Most Romantic:

Jean Dousset Eve Heart Lab Diamond Studs at Jeandousset.com (See Price)

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Best Yellow Gold:

James Allen Diamond Drop Stud Earrings at Jamesallen.com (See Price)

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Most Unique:

Brilliant Earth Baguette Diamond Cluster Hoop Earrings at Brilliant Earth (See Price)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

12FIFTEEEN

View On 1215diamonds.com

A little sparkle goes a long way with these simple lab-grown diamond studs! After trying these on, we found that the 14k gold basket setting and a small round center stone would be perfect for the bride-to-be who wants the earrings she wears on her wedding day to provide a subtle sparkle without distracting from the dress. If you want something with a little more oomph, we also love that you can customize not only the size of the stone and the precious metal, but you can also customize your studs by choosing your preferred diamond cut.

Clean Origin

View On Clean Origin

Classic with a bit of modern flair, a pair-shaped earring is a perfect choice for your special day. We love this luxurious pair from Clean Origin. Depending on how much shine you want to wear down the aisle, you can choose from a 1-, 1.5-, 2-carat weight.

Metal Type: 18k white gold | Setting: Prong | Diamond Shape: Pear | Color: E/F | Clarity: VS | Carat Weight: 1ct

VRAI

View On Vrai $500

You can never go wrong with a simple pair of studs, and our first impression of these earrings was that they were stunning—we noticed the lovely cut, sparkle, and that they're near colorless. This foolproof option from VRAI made us feel timeless and elegant thanks to its round brilliant cut diamond and precious metal, including 14k yellow, rose, and white gold.

Keyzar

View On Keyzarjewelry.com

Add a dose of sparkle to your classic hoops with a set of pave diamonds that will shimmer under the wedding venue lights. These Keyzar beauties are understated yet chic and will make the ultimate finishing touch to your bridal look.

Diamond Nexus

View On Diamondnexus.com

A timeless emerald cut pairs beautiful with a white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold hoop for a drop earring to remember. Not only will these add a subtle touch of elegance to your bridal look, but they’re a pair of earrings you can wear again and again after the big day.

Courtesy of VRAI

View On Vrai

Go for a glamorous, Old Hollywood look with these eye-catching drop dangle earrings that feature a customizable 14k solid yellow or white gold dangling chain. Draw more attention to these beauties by pairing them with a slick back ponytail or simple up-do. Overall, we love VRAI's collection of lab-grown styles. After seeing the lab-created diamonds up close, we could confirm that they take an elevated, modern, and elegant approach to diamond accessories that is still really tasteful.

Abbott Lyon

View On Abbottlyon.com

A more affordable (yet equally as stunning) earring option for your special day is this set of stud earrings from Abbott Lyon. They might be tiny, but they make a big impression and are perfect for the minimalist bride. Pair them with a simple tennis necklace and a slip wedding dress for a totally timeless ensemble.

Jean Dousset

View On Jeandousset.com

Wear your heart on your sleeve…and your ears! There’s no better day to rock these adorable heart-shaped diamond studs than on the day you’re saying “I do” to the love of your life. We especially love the rose gold option for an added touch of romance.

14K Yellow Gold Lab-Created Diamond Drop Stud Earrings

James Allen

View On Jamesallen.com

Gorgeous 14-carat yellow gold and diamond complement each other beautifully for a wedding day jewelry piece that stands out. We love how the two subtly different sized diamond studs add a dynamic flair to your classic drop earring.

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

This show-stopping pair of hoop diamond earrings will catch the light from every angle. A cluster of baguette diamonds is placed together in an intricate pattern for a sparkling and eye-catching look. Plus, the simple back closure makes them easy to put on and keep in place.

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

Perfect for a spring wedding or destination celebration, this floral-inspired pair of earrings gets major bridal style points. Round diamonds come together to create a subtle flower shape around a center stone diamond.

Danielâs Jewelers

View On Danielsjewelers.com

All we can say is wow. This three carat lab-grown diamond pair is just as sparkly as it is classic. The three rows of round-cut diamonds on white gold hoops are sure to add a dose of extra sparkle to your special day.

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

Add a bit of flair to your usual stud earrings by opting for these pair-shaped stunners from Brilliant Earth. After examining Brilliant Earth diamonds closely, we were impressed with how sparkly, precious, and luxurious they were. When compared to a natural diamond, we couldn't tell the difference. On this pair, we love that the center diamond stone is surrounded by a round diamond halo for a style that’s undeniably pretty for any formal affair.

Liori

View On Lioridiamonds.com

If you really want to make a statement on your walk to the altar, you can’t go wrong with these dramatic yet elegant dangle earrings. You’ll literally be dripping in diamonds as you say “I do.” It’s a bridal dream come true.

Pandora

View On Pandora.net

Going for something subtle that still feels modern and unique? You’ll adore this pair of stud earrings from Pandora, which feature a center diamond stone surrounded by a sterling silver raindrop shaped setting. Plus, coming in at under $400, it’s an excellent choice for brides on a budget.

Clean Origin

View On Clean Origin

Metal and diamond intertwined together—just like your love! These trendy and cute huggie-style hoops feature 14 carat white or yellow gold and a string of 13 diamonds on each hoop. Not only is the interlocking design a stylish touch to your bridal look, but it’s also a beautiful symbol of your marriage.

James Allen

View On Jamesallen.com

Simple doesn’t have to mean boring, and these pretty studs prove it! We love that this pair is versatile enough to go with any and all bridal looks. Plus, it comes available in various metal options, including white, yellow, and rose gold. After wearing these for ourselves, we would definitely make these a staple in our jewelry collection. We think that anyone who likes a classic pair of studs that can easily go from day to night—like on your wedding day—would adore these.

VRAI

View On Vrai

If you love a lot of sparkle, go for these brilliant diamond ear crawlers that pair effortlessly with any bridal outfit. These beauties feature six lab-created diamonds strung together with 14-carat white, yellow, or rose gold.

Oscar Massin

View On Oscarmassin.com

Perfect for summer and destination weddings, these adorable flower-shaped diamond earrings would look especially stunning paired with a bohemian style wedding gown. Trade your veil for a bridal flower crown to top off the look.

Danielâs Jewelers

View On Danielsjewelers.com

You’ll love this sparkling pair of stud earrings—the stunning design is sure to garner a lot of compliments on the big day. When we tried Daniel's Jewelers, we were pleasantly surprised by the way the lab-created diamond so effortlessly catches the light. It quickly became our favorite subtle yet eye-catching accessory. On this pair, we love how the 14-carat white gold perfectly complements the collection of diamonds in an intricate star-like shape.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Sally Magaña is a GIA Senior Research Scientist whose area of expertise is diamond physics and diamond treatment and synthetics. She also has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.
Lynette Ong is the founder and creative director of Edge of Ember, a socially responsible and climate-friendly jewelry brand based in London.

What To Look For in Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings

Certification

Edge of Ember Founder & Creative Director Lynette Ong notes that lab-grown diamonds go by many names. “Lab-grown, cultured, and man-made diamonds are all ways to describe diamonds created under high-pressure (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) in labs,” she says. “They are chemically, physically, and aesthetically identical to a mined diamond.” Because of this, an important thing to look out for when buying a pair of lab-grown diamond earrings is the certification (GIA has offered report services for laboratory-grown diamonds since 2007 and other companies like IGI also offer certification for lab-grown diamonds).

FAQ

What are lab-grown diamonds and how are they created?

Lab-grown diamonds are physically identical to natural diamonds, but instead of being mined from the earth, they’re created in a certified laboratory facility. “Although they have essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a natural diamond, their growth structure and atomic level defects allow them to be readily separated from natural diamonds by a well-equipped laboratory such as GIA,” Ong says.
As for the scientific process of how lab-grown diamonds are made, Ong says it’s simple. “A small slither of a diamond, known as a ‘seed’ is put into a sealed chamber where immense heat and crushing pressure surrounds the stone for several weeks resulting in gasses sticking to the seed and growing the diamond in size,” she says. “The final product is a rough diamond, ready to be cut and polished for use in jewelry,” Magaña adds that lab-grown diamonds form differently from mined diamonds, which is how specialists can distinguish them.
Are lab-grown diamonds graded similarly to mined diamonds?

A fully formed lab-grown diamond undergoes a similar rating system to mined diamonds. "The GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Reports specify the color and clarity of laboratory-grown diamonds, using the same 4Cs terms used for natural diamonds,” Magaña says.
Are lab-grown diamonds simulated?

One way to not think of lab-grown diamonds is as imitations or simulants. “This is incorrect. Simulants—materials that simulate or imitate the appearance of diamonds, like cubic zirconia or moissanite—only look like diamonds,” Magaña says. “They have very different chemical and physical properties that allow trained gemologists to identify them easily.”

Why Trust Brides

Chloe Caldwell is a Commerce Writer for Brides who specializes in shopping and lifestyle topics. She has six years of journalism experience writing about all things fashion, beauty, travel, and wellness.

Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide