A lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond are the same mineral: crystallised carbon, same structure, same hardness, same brilliance. The difference lies in the origin, the ground or the laboratory, in the price, and in the name given to them. Origine Paris chose the lab-grown diamond for all its rings; here is why, and what it changes for an engagement ring.
What is identical
Both diamonds have the same crystal structure and the same hardness, 10 on the Mohs scale. They are assessed on the same criteria, the 4Cs: carat weight, colour from D to Z, clarity from FL to I3, cut quality. Independent laboratories such as IGI or HRD Antwerp grade both on these scales. A gemmologist cannot tell them apart with a loupe; it takes laboratory instruments. That is why the report matters: it states the origin.
What changes
Origin. A natural diamond formed in the earth over millions of years, and was mined from it. A lab-grown diamond grew in a laboratory, by one of the two known processes, HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapour deposition); it requires no mining.
Price. At equal quality, a lab-grown diamond costs markedly less than a mined diamond. At Origine Paris, a Classique in recycled 18-carat gold with a D colour, VS clarity lab-grown diamond and its IGI report costs €2,350 for one carat, €2,890 for two carats, €3,390 for three carats. At equal budget, the stone is larger, or of better quality.
Name. In France, the official term is "diamant de synthèse", and in English "lab-grown diamond": these are the terms we use. The name says nothing about the quality of the stone, which is assessed on the same criteria as a mined diamond, the 4Cs, by independent laboratories such as IGI; it says how the stone was born: through science, rather than geological chance.
What Origine Paris guarantees
All the house's diamonds are lab-grown diamonds of D colour and VS1 or VS2 clarity at minimum, with their IGI report from 0.5 carat; the gold is recycled 18-carat. The Classique comes in five shapes at the same price, and in a pavé band version from €2,850; the Signature line is the house's other wedding line. Rings are ordered online or by appointment at 21 rue de la Paix, Paris 2nd, or by video call; each ring is made to order, in six to eight weeks.
How to decide
If the geological origin of the stone matters to you, the natural diamond remains your choice, and it comes at a price. If what matters is the beauty of the diamond, its certified quality and a fair price, the lab-grown diamond has become the obvious choice of a generation. Either way, ask for the report.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lab-grown diamond a diamond? Yes, fully: same carbon, same crystal structure, same hardness, same brilliance, assessed on the same criteria as a mined diamond, the 4Cs, by independent laboratories such as IGI. Nothing to do with an imitation such as zirconia or moissanite. What changes is its birth, in a laboratory rather than in the earth.
Does a lab-grown diamond keep its brilliance? Yes: it is a diamond, it does not tarnish and does not yellow.
Does the IGI report state the origin? Yes, the report says "laboratory-grown" and describes the stone as it would a natural diamond.
Can a lab-grown diamond ring be insured? Yes, on the basis of the invoice and the report, like any fine jewellery ring.
The models, the prices by carat and the answers to frequently asked questions are gathered on our page Lab-grown diamond engagement rings in Paris.
Further reading
- See the Classiques, and their matching curved wedding band
- See the Signatures, the wedding line
- All our prices
- Book an appointment
