Lab or Natural? How to Test if a Diamond is Lab-Grown

You have a beautiful, sparkling diamond in your possession. Perhaps you received it as a gift, or it has been passed down through your family, or you purchased it yourself. In any event, it is exquisite. 

But one tiny question is itching at the back of your mind:

 “Is this lab-grown or natural?”

You're not alone. With lab-grown diamonds becoming more common—and visually identical to mined diamonds—it’s a question more people are asking. But here's the catch: you can’t just eyeball it. Even seasoned gemologists need tools and training to tell the difference.

Let’s break it down: how to figure out if a diamond is lab-grown, what methods really work, and what details to pay attention to—without making this feel like a college course.

First, a Quick Primer: Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

Here’s the scoop: lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Not diamonds "like" diamonds. Not fake. Lab-grown and mined diamonds are chemically and physically identical. They both consist of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure. They both receive a rating of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. They both sparkle, shine and make a statement.

What’s different? Just the origin.

• Natural diamonds formed deep beneath the Earth over billions of years.

• Lab-grown diamonds are created using either high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapour deposition (CVD) processes over a period of weeks in a laboratory setting.

You’d think something made with tech would be easy to tell apart—but the reality is, it’s not that simple.

So... How Can You Tell If a Diamond Is Lab-Grown?

Here’s what gemologists and diamond labs actually use to figure it out:

Let’s walk through the ones that matter most.

1. Check for a Laser Inscription

Many lab-grown diamonds are inscribed with microscopic markings on the girdle—the thin edge of the stone. These usually include a serial number and may say “lab-grown.” It’s not visible to the naked eye, but a 10x jeweller’s loupe or microscope will show it.

Not all lab diamonds are inscribed, but if yours is, that’s a strong indicator.

2. Ask for a Grading Certificate

This is the gold standard of verification. If your diamond came with a certificate from a reputable lab (think IGI and SGL), it’d be clearly labelled as either natural or lab-grown. These reports include all the important details: cut, clarity, colour, carat, and origin.

If there’s no certificate—or the seller can’t provide one—that’s a red flag.

3. Inclusions: What’s Inside Matters

Lab-grown diamonds sometimes contain metallic inclusions or show different internal growth patterns than natural ones. CVD diamonds, for instance, can have striated lines; HPHT diamonds may contain traces of the metallic flux used during their creation.

You won’t spot these without a microscope (and some training), but your jeweller can.

4. Fluorescence & Advanced Testing

Some lab-grown diamonds, especially CVD types, react differently under UV light than natural diamonds. For example, they may fluoresce orange or not at all, whereas natural diamonds often show a soft blue glow.

Still, this method isn’t definitive. You’ll need spectroscopic testing (like photoluminescence or FTIR) to be absolutely sure. These tests reveal structural and atomic differences—but they’re only available in labs.

How Accurate Are These Tests, Really?

If you're going the DIY route, laser inscriptions and certificates are your best bets. Anything more advanced, and you’ll need a lab's help.

Remember: there’s no visible difference between a well-cut lab-grown and a natural diamond. The sparkle’s the same. The clarity can even be higher with lab diamonds, thanks to controlled growth conditions.

Where Trust Comes In: Choose the Right Jeweler

The easiest way to avoid this entire guessing game? Buy from a transparent, certified jeweller. At Ivana Jewels, every diamond we offer is:

• Lab-grown and clearly marked as such
  
  

• Backed by IGI or SGL certification
  
  

• Ethically sourced and produced
  
  

• Laser-inscribed for traceability
  
  

You won’t be left wondering what you’ve paid for—because the details are already built in.

Final Thought: Sparkle Is Sparkle. The Truth is in the Paperwork.

If the diamond you’re buying doesn’t come with documentation, don’t settle. Know its origin—especially if ethics, sustainability, and long-term value matter to you.

Whether it’s lab-grown or natural, a diamond should make you feel something—and confidence in your purchase is part of that glow.

Ready to shop lab-grown? Head to IvanaJewels and browse diamonds that shine without the mystery.