What to check before buying a lab-grown diamond

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, so you judge them the same way as mined ones. Here is what to check.

The 4Cs

Cut affects sparkle more than anything else. Colour describes how close the stone is to colourless. Clarity describes small internal and surface marks. Carat is weight, not size, so two stones of the same carat can look different.

The grading report

Ask whether the stone has a report from an independent lab such as IGI or GIA, and check that the details match the stone you are buying.

The setting and metal

Confirm the gold karat and colour, and check whether the listed carat weight is the centre stone alone or the total for the whole ring. This is one of the easiest things to misread when comparing prices.

The terms

Get the price, delivery time, resizing, warranty and return terms in writing before you pay.

Next steps

Compare sizes with our carat preview, read what a ring costs, or ask us your questions.