For most buyers, yes. A lab grown diamond gives you the same look, hardness and sparkle as a mined diamond for a significantly lower price, often a half to a third of the cost for an equivalent stone. That means you can choose a larger or higher quality diamond for the same budget, or spend less for the same size. They are certified by the same gem laboratories, so you are not trading away quality or independent grading. The one thing to be clear eyed about is resale. Diamonds of any origin, natural or lab grown, return little for a private seller, so a lab grown diamond is worth it as something to wear and keep, not as a financial investment. If you want the most diamond for your money in a piece you will wear every day, a lab grown diamond is worth it.
Browse our engagement ring collection to see what your budget gets you in a lab grown stone.
What you get for the money
A diamond of identical material to a mined stone, with the same hardness, brilliance and certification, at typically a half to a third of the price. In practical terms, that means a budget that buys a 0.7 carat mined diamond can buy a 1.5 carat lab grown stone of comparable grade. The diamond on your finger looks larger, sparkles the same and lasts the same.
What you do not get
Resale value. Once you buy any diamond at retail, reselling it privately recovers only a fraction of the price. This is true of mined diamonds too, but lab grown is newer and prices have fallen further, so the gap between purchase and resale is wider. The right reason to buy is wear, not investment.
When a lab grown diamond is not worth it
If you specifically value the geological origin of a stone formed in the earth, that is a real reason to choose a mined diamond. Some buyers prefer that story and that is fair. On every other measure, lab grown matches mined.
Related questions
Are lab grown diamonds a real diamond?
Yes. They have the same carbon crystal structure, hardness and brilliance as a mined diamond, and they test as diamond on a standard diamond tester. Read more in are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
How much should I spend on a lab grown engagement ring?
There is no fixed rule. A good starting point in the UK is around 1,500 to 3,000 pounds for a quality solitaire with a one carat stone. At Luma, you can configure your ring on the product page and see exactly what each choice costs.
Is a lab grown diamond worth it for an engagement ring specifically?
Yes for most buyers. It lets you choose a larger or higher quality stone for the same budget, and the certification is identical. Your partner is wearing a real diamond either way.
