While lab grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular and more people own them, many buyers are left to wonder: do they hold their value over time? Regardless of whether you are purchasing an engagement ring, a pair of earrings, or a classic pendant necklace, awareness of value—both emotional and monetary—can help you make a good choice.
In this guide, we will examine how lab grown diamonds compare to mined diamonds, if they are a smart, worthwhile investment, and what factors affect their resale value. We will also provide you with tips for picking lab grown diamond jewelry that brings lasting beauty and joy.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Diamonds which are lab grown, often referred to as lab created and manufactured diamonds are real diamonds, just not being mined from the Earth. They have the same physical properties, same crystal structure, and same chemical qualities as natural diamonds. In other words, they are diamonds, just grown in a controlled environment that mimics the natural processes of how diamonds are made.
There are two main methods used to create lab grown diamonds:
- High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): This process resembles the heat and pressure found deep inside the earth.
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): This process grows diamonds from carbon-rich gas inside a chamber.
The result is a diamond that looks and feels just like a mined diamond, often requiring experts to identify either form with special equipment.
Lab grown diamonds are graded the same way as mined diamonds using the 4Cs of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. They are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
How Do Lab Grown Diamonds Differ from Mined Diamonds?
Mined and lab diamonds appear identical at first sight; the same sparkle, hardness and timeless beauty defines both. Nevertheless, there are vastly different details that may affect your purchasing decision:
1. Origin
Lab grown diamonds are manufactured in labs utilizing advanced technology that completely eliminates the need for mining. Mined diamonds, however, are naturally formed over billions of years and are extracted from earth through a mining process.
2. Environmental & Ethical Impact
Lab grown diamonds create significantly less environmental destruction and remove most of the ethical controversies around mining, which are the disruption of habitats as well as the ethical concerns about unfair labor practices. Even with the industry tightening mining regulations and policies, mined diamonds will always be linked to ecological destruction and potential human rights abuses.
3. Cost
Lab grown diamonds can be 30-50% cheaper than similar mined diamonds, providing greater value, and allowing those buying to choose larger stones or more craftsmanship at the same price point.
In short, lab diamonds provide an environmentally friendly, new option than mined diamonds, while offering amazing beauty and value.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds a Good Investment?
If your goal is to buy a diamond that will appreciate in value, lab diamonds may not be the best option for that type of return. Although, if you are investing in beauty, craftsmanship, and personal value, lab diamonds can offer good value.
In some cases, the real investment for many buyers is buying jewelry to celebrate important events and milestones in their lives— such as an engagement ring, anniversary gift, graduation gift or even a purchase for oneself— rather than making a monetary return.
Therefore, if you are buying a lab grown diamond because you like the look of it, its ethical origins, the more affordable price, and consider it a good purchase, that is a smart and logical investment. If your only investment is monetary, then you should look at lab grown diamonds with a set of expectations.
Do Lab Grown Diamonds Hold Their Value?
Like many consumer products, the reality is lab grown diamonds, might lose monetary value after your purchase. Here are some factors that may affect it:
- Supply growth: Technological advancements have made lab grown diamonds more available and less expensive to produce. When sales are increasing and cost of new sales is declining, resale values will be lower in the secondary market.
- Perceived scarcity: Mined diamonds are rare and valuable due to their limited availability and lab diamonds do not have this restriction.
- Market maturity: The resale lab grown diamond market is in its infancy and growing. There is an established resale market for mined diamonds but for lab diamonds may still be limited, it is growing quickly.
That being said, value is not only about resale price. Lab grown diamonds are filled with amazing emotional value, they are beautiful and they are ethically sourced; these are all very important to our buyers today.
What Factors Affect the Resale Value of Lab Grown Diamonds?
While lab grown diamonds generally have a lower resale value than mined diamonds, several factors can still influence how much you might get back if you decide to sell:
1. Quality of the Diamond
Cut, color, clarity, and carat (the 4Cs) are the main factors affecting a diamond’s appeal and resale potential. The higher quality the diamond, the more popular it will be in both the primary and secondary markets.
2. Certification
A well-respected diamond grading report (like one from IGI) can greatly increase buyer trust and help you get a better resale price.
3. Brand & Craftsmanship
Well-crafted jewelry from reputable lab grown diamond brand usually keeps more perceived value than generic or without known craftsmanship.
4. Market Trends
Market trends are always in flux. Any increases in production costs, new technology, or a shift in consumer preferences will always have an effect on normal marketplace resale pricing. The lab-grown diamond market is still evolving, so future trends are difficult to track and predict.
5. Condition of the Jewelry
Keeping your diamond jewelry in great condition—free of chips, scratches, or visible wear—will help maintain its resale value.
Tips to Improve the Resale Potential of Lab Grown Diamonds
If you may want to sell your lab grown diamond jewelry later, here are some useful tips to help retain its resale value:
1. Choose a Certified Diamond
Always go for lab grown diamonds that come with a grading certificate from a reputable lab (like IGI). Certification adds transparency and credibility, making resale easier and potentially more profitable.
2. Prioritize Quality
Look for well-cut diamonds with great clarity, color, and proportions. These high quality stones will catch customers' eyes in a crowded diamond market.
3. Buy from a Trusted Brand
Buying from a reputable diamond jeweler can boost the appeal of your piece. Buyers are often more comfortable purchasing a secondhand item from a well-known brand with a solid reputation for quality.
4. Keep All Documentation
Save your diamond’s grading certificate, purchase receipt, original packaging, and any warranty information. Complete documentation makes your jewelry more attractive to future buyers.
5. Caring for Your Jewelry
Regularly clean your diamond jewelry and store it properly to avoid scratches or damage. Pieces in excellent condition generally secure higher resale prices.
6. Manage Expectations
Know that lab grown diamonds are a purchase for joy and beauty, not an investment tool. If you choose to resell, having realistic expectations will help guide the process and prevent disappointment.
Find Stunning Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry at Lucenjuri
At Lucenjuri, we believe that diamonds should be as thoughtful as they are beautiful. That is why we craft every piece using lab grown diamonds that are ethically sourced, environmentally conscious, and tapered to perfection to showcase brilliance from every angle.
Whether you are looking for the perfect diamond engagement ring, a special gift for a loved one, or a timeless addition to your jewelry collection, all of our designs highlight your elegance, while providing lasting value. Each piece is certified and made with precision—so you can wear it with confidence today and cherish it for years to come.
Discover your next piece of forever in our collection of lab grown engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. All thoughtfully made, just for you.