Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds created using advanced technology and independently assessed for quality. At Bercotts, we offer one of the best selections of lab-grown diamonds in Glasgow, featuring Scottish-made designs with free delivery across the UK.
Schedule a private appointment with our in-house gemologist, or explore our lab-grown luxury diamond collection online.
Shop Our Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings & Jewellery
Lab Grown Diamonds Explained | |
|---|---|
What to consider | Lab-grown diamonds |
What you get | A real diamond with essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical properties as a natural diamond |
Types available | A wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and clarities |
Price | Generally available at a lower price than comparable natural diamonds |
Appearance | The same brilliance, fire and beauty associated with natural diamonds |
Durability | Suitable for everyday jewellery, including engagement rings |
Production | Created using HPHT or CVD technology |
Certification | Independent laboratory reports or quality assessments may be available |
Environmental considerations | Environmental impact varies according to production methods, energy sources and other factors |
Jewellery options | Engagement rings, earrings, bracelets and other lab-grown diamond jewellery |
Availability | Shop online or visit our Glasgow showroom |
FAQs — Lab-Grown Diamonds in Glasgow & the UK
Our jewellery experts answer some of the questions we hear from our customers, both online and at our showroom, before they buy lab-grown diamonds.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a similar way to natural diamonds; only the process is sped up in a controlled laboratory environment rather than formed naturally beneath the earth. This creates a diamond that is often more affordable and eco-friendly.
Lab-created diamonds are also known as:
Eco diamonds
Synthetic diamonds
Man-made diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, not diamond imitations or simulants. They have essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical properties as natural diamonds.
The main difference is how they are formed:
Lab diamonds are grown above ground in a controlled environment
Natural diamonds are extracted from the earth and formed under natural conditions
Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds?
Compared with natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are very cost-effective and can be around 30% – 70% less expensive than comparable natural stones. This means that you can get a larger or higher-quality gemstone for your budget.
The price of a lab-grown diamond depends on factors including its carat weight, shape, colour, clarity, cut, certification and the jewellery design in which it is set.
How much do lab grown diamonds cost?
There is no single price for a lab grown diamond. Cost varies according to the diamond’s size, shape, colour, clarity and cut, as well as the setting, metal and craftsmanship of the finished piece.
At Bercotts, you can explore lab-grown diamonds and expertly crafted jewellery in different styles and price ranges, with our jewellery experts available to help you compare your options.
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Diamonds can be grown using different cutting-edge technologies: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD).
Both methods can create a beautiful, sparkling diamond that is optically, chemically and structurally identical to a mined diamond. You can’t tell the difference between a CVD and an HPHT diamond with the naked eye.
HPHT
HPHT is one of the first established methods used to create lab-grown diamonds, with gem-quality stones first introduced in the 1950s. This process can also enhance the colour of diamonds to make them colourless, pink, green, blue, or yellow.
HPHT diamond growth occurs in large pressure cookers called cubic presses, which can exert more than 70 metric tons of pressure.
The HPHT process is as follows:
Small diamond seeds are carefully placed into the bottom of a growth cell
A layer of carbon is delicately placed on top
The growth cell is placed inside the cubic press
Extreme conditions are applied: around 1,500°C and 1 million psi (approximately 70,000 times the pressure at sea level).
Under these conditions, carbon dissolves and crystallises around the diamond seed, form a diamond crystal.
CVD
CVD is a newer, more controlled method for growing diamonds, using a vacuum chamber rather than high pressure.
The CVD process:
Flat diamond plates are placed into a vacuum chamber
The chamber is injected with a hydrocarbon gas such as methane
High-power microwave energy breaks down the gas
Free carbon rains down on the diamond plates, bonding layer by layer
The diamond grows vertically, much like tiny atom “snowflakes” landing and crystallising
Are lab-grown diamonds graded and certified?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are independently assessed by recognised gemological laboratories such as GIA and IGI. A laboratory report provides information about the diamond’s characteristics and confirms its laboratory-grown origin.
The assessment can include:
Carat weight: The weight of the diamond
Colour: The degree of colour present
Clarity: The presence of inclusions and blemishes
Cut: How the diamond’s proportions and facets affect its light performance
GIA and IGI use different approaches:
IGI: Lab-grown diamond reports typically use the traditional 4Cs terminology.
GIA: Its current Laboratory-Grown Diamond Quality Assessment for qualifying loose colourless to near-colourless diamonds uses a Premium or Standard classification alongside information about the diamond’s characteristics.
At Bercotts, our lab-grown diamonds are independently assessed by IGI, giving you access to detailed information about the diamond you are considering.
Can you tell the difference between lab and natural diamonds?
The short answer is: not with the naked eye; lab-grown diamonds have essentially the same physical, chemical and visual characteristics as natural diamonds. You need specialised equipment to differentiate between the two.
When placed beside a similarly graded natural mined diamond, the stones will look identical. Lab-grown diamonds are often sold in higher colour grades, such as D-F.
Do lab-grown diamonds have inclusions?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds can contain inclusions and growth characteristics that differ from those commonly found in natural diamonds. The characteristics can also vary depending on whether a diamond was grown using HPHT or CVD technology.
For example, HPHT diamonds can contain metallic flux inclusions associated with the growth process, while CVD diamonds can display characteristics linked to their layered growth.
Do lab-grown diamonds have a laser inscription?
Lab-grown diamonds that a gemological laboratory has assessed may have a microscopic laser inscription on the girdle linking the stone to its report. This provides an additional way to link the diamond with its documentation.
Are lab-grown diamonds good for engagement rings?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the physical properties and durability expected of diamonds, making them suitable for everyday jewellery such as engagement rings.
They can also offer more flexibility in choosing a diamond’s size, shape and specifications within a particular budget. Bercotts offers lab-grown diamond engagement rings in a range of styles, with jewellery experts available to help you find the right combination of diamond and setting.
How do I choose a lab-grown diamond?
Start by considering your budget, then compare the diamond’s shape, size, colour, clarity and cut. If the stone has a grading report or quality assessment, review the details carefully and check the report number.
Our Bespoke Lab Grown Diamonds
Always ethically sourced
Eco-friendly, sustainable option
Independently assessed for quality and purity
More accessible price point
Natural Diamonds vs Lab Grown Diamonds
Natural and lab-grown diamonds share many fundamental characteristics, but their origins differ. Here’s how they compare.
How natural and lab-grown diamonds are the same:
Diamond properties: Essentially the same chemical composition and physical and optical properties as natural diamonds
Appearance: The same brilliance, fire and beauty associated with diamonds
Choice: Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and clarities
Assessment: Can be independently assessed by recognised gemological laboratories
And how they differ:
| Lab-grown diamonds | Natural diamonds |
Origin | Created in a controlled laboratory environment | Formed naturally beneath the earth |
Price | Generally more affordable than a comparable natural diamond | Typically commands a higher price due in part to natural rarity |
Size for your budget | Can provide greater flexibility when prioritising carat weight or other specifications | A particular budget may offer a smaller stone or different combination of specifications |
Environmental considerations | Environmental impact depends on factors such as energy source and production methods | Environmental and social considerations can vary according to mining practices and sourcing |
Rarity | Manufactured and therefore not naturally rare | Naturally rare and formed over millennia |
Resale value | Future resale value is not guaranteed | Resale value is not guaranteed, although natural diamond rarity can influence market demand |
Best suited to | Buyers who prioritise choice, size and price while looking for a real diamond | Buyers who value natural origin, rarity and the history of a naturally formed diamond |
Ultimately, the choice between lab-grown and natural diamonds comes down to personal preference. At Bercotts, you can expect the same exceptional quality in craftsmanship and attention to detail, no matter which diamond you choose.
Bercotts: Trusted Jeweller for Lab Created Diamonds
Established in 1904, Bercotts Jewellers has adapted with the industry across four generations. From the earliest days of modern diamond cutting to today’s growing shift towards lab-created diamonds, our focus remains on sourcing premium quality materials.
With an in-house workshop, we can maintain the same exacting quality across every piece we create. Our skilled craftspeople bring the same care to jewellery repairs and restoration as they do to new creations.
Every piece is made with the same care and attention we’ve brought to our craft for over 120 years.
See the happy couples who found their perfect ring with Bercotts in our gallery. Then discover our range of lab-grown diamonds for sale in the UK, made to order in classic and modern designs.
What our customers say
I can tell they take great pride in their work and it is easily discernible in the jewellery they produce.
Rory Baker
This was pivotal in me making my decision on my now wife’s engagement ring…
David Dugan
The fact it’s a family business makes it even better and so much more personal…
Lucy Jamieson
