Lab Grown Diamond vs Simulant: What's the Difference?

If you're exploring diamond jewellery, you may come across terms such as lab grown diamond, diamond simulant, cubic zirconia and moissanite. While they can share a similar appearance at first glance, there are important differences in what they are, how they perform and how they’re made.

At the heart of the distinction is their composition. Lab grown diamonds have the same fundamental chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds, while diamond simulants are different materials chosen for their diamond-like appearance.

Understanding the difference between a lab grown diamond vs simulant can help you decide what matters most to you, from appearance and durability to price and everyday wear. Below, we explore the key differences so you can make an informed choice.

What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

A lab grown diamond is a genuine diamond created in a controlled laboratory environment rather than formed naturally beneath the Earth's surface. Modern methods such as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) are used to grow diamond crystals.

Because lab grown diamonds have the same fundamental chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds, they are considered real diamonds rather than imitations. They are made from carbon and have the characteristic physical and optical properties of diamond.

Lab grown diamonds can also be assessed using the traditional 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat. This allows buyers to compare the quality and characteristics of individual stones.

For an example of a lab grown diamond in finished jewellery, explore LOHR's Dean Round Brilliant Four Claw Lab-Grown Diamond Band Engagement Ring.

[Image: Dean Round Brilliant Four Claw Lab-Grown Diamond Band Engagement Ring]

A lab grown diamond is therefore not simply a cheaper diamond lookalike. It is a diamond with a laboratory origin.

What Is a Diamond Simulant?

A diamond simulant is a gemstone or material that is made to resemble the appearance of a diamond but does not have the same chemical composition.

Common diamond simulants include:

• Cubic zirconia (CZ)

• Moissanite

• White sapphire

• Certain types of synthetic gemstones

The important distinction is that a simulant is not a diamond. It is chosen because it can provide a similar visual effect, often at a lower price.

For example, cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide, while moissanite is made from silicon carbide. Neither has the same composition or crystal structure as diamond.

This also means that lab created and lab grown are not interchangeable terms. A gemstone can be manufactured in a laboratory without being a lab grown diamond.

Lab Grown Diamond vs Simulant: Key Differences

The most important thing to remember when comparing lab grown diamond vs simulant is that you're comparing a genuine diamond with a separate material that imitates its appearance.

Composition

The difference in composition is what separates a lab grown diamond from a simulant.

Lab grown diamonds consist of carbon atoms arranged in the crystal structure characteristic of diamond. Simulants, on the other hand, use completely different materials.

Cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide, while moissanite is made from silicon carbide. These materials have their own physical and optical characteristics.

This is why asking "Is a lab grown diamond a simulant?" can lead to confusion.

The answer is no. A lab grown diamond is a genuine diamond. A simulant is a different material designed to look similar to diamond.

Appearance and Sparkle

Both lab grown diamonds and simulants can be highly attractive, but their interaction with light is different.

A well-cut lab grown diamond produces the combination of brilliance, fire and scintillation associated with diamond. Its appearance comes from the same underlying material and crystal structure as a natural diamond.

Simulants can also be extremely bright. Some, such as moissanite, are known for strong fire and colourful flashes, while cubic zirconia can produce a bright, diamond-like appearance.

The choice therefore depends on the type of sparkle you prefer.

You can see how different diamond cuts create distinct looks in LOHR's Nassau Oval Cut Lab-Grown Diamond Band Engagement Ring and Varenne Emerald Cut Lab-Grown Diamond Band Engagement Ring.

[Image: Nassau and Varenne lab-grown diamond rings side by side]

The cut also has a major effect on how a diamond looks. Round brilliant cuts are known for their strong brilliance, while oval and emerald cuts create noticeably different visual styles.

Hardness and Durability

Durability is particularly important if you are choosing a stone for jewellery that will be worn regularly.

Diamond has a Mohs hardness of 10, making it the hardest naturally occurring mineral on the Mohs scale. Lab grown diamonds have the same hardness because they are diamond.

Simulants vary in hardness depending on the material. For example, cubic zirconia has a Mohs hardness of around 8–8.5, while moissanite is approximately 9.25.

This difference can affect how well a stone handles everyday exposure to scratches and surface wear.

Lab grown diamonds offer:

• Excellent scratch resistance

• High durability

• Long-lasting brilliance

• Suitability for everyday jewellery

• A practical choice for engagement rings and wedding rings

That doesn't mean every simulant is unsuitable for everyday wear. Moissanite, for example, is also a relatively durable gemstone. However, if you specifically want the hardness and durability associated with diamond, a lab grown diamond provides that.

Price

One of the biggest reasons buyers consider simulants is price.

Diamond simulants can provide a diamond-like appearance at a significantly lower cost. This makes them appealing when keeping the jewellery budget as low as possible is the priority.

Lab grown diamonds generally cost more than simulants because they are genuine diamonds. However, they can offer a more accessible price point than comparable natural diamonds.

When comparing the cost of a lab grown diamond vs simulant, it's therefore important to consider more than the initial purchase price.

Think about:

• The material you actually want

• How often you'll wear the jewellery

• How important durability is

• Whether you want a genuine diamond

• Whether certification matters to you

• How long you want the piece to last

A lower purchase price doesn't necessarily make one option better. It depends on what you want the stone to represent and how you plan to use it.

Lab Grown Diamond vs Simulant for Everyday Jewellery

The best choice depends largely on the type of jewellery you're buying.

Lab grown diamonds are well suited to:

• Engagement rings

• Wedding rings

• Everyday rings

• Fine jewellery

• Heirloom-style pieces

Simulants can be suitable for:

• Fashion jewellery

• Occasional-wear pieces

• Statement jewellery

• Budget-conscious purchases

• Jewellery where appearance is the main priority

If you're choosing a ring that you expect to wear every day for many years, a lab grown diamond can be an appealing option because it combines genuine diamond properties with a laboratory-grown origin.

For a classic everyday design, take a look at LOHR's Oxford Round Brilliant Six Claw Solitaire Classic Engagement Ring.

[Image: Oxford Round Brilliant Six Claw Solitaire Classic Engagement Ring]

How Can You Tell a Lab Grown Diamond From a Simulant?

A lab grown diamond and a simulant can look very similar, particularly when viewed in finished jewellery.

However, their physical and chemical properties are different, which means gemological testing can distinguish between them.

Professional testing can identify characteristics such as:

• Chemical composition

• Crystal structure

• Optical properties

• Hardness

• Diamond-specific characteristics

A simple visual inspection may not always be enough to determine what a stone is.

This is particularly important when purchasing a valuable piece of jewellery. Asking about the stone's identity and certification can help you understand exactly what you're buying.

What About Certification?

Lab grown diamonds can be independently graded and accompanied by certification from recognised gemological laboratories.

A diamond grading report can provide information about characteristics such as carat weight, colour, clarity and cut, along with other identifying details.

For example, LOHR's product pages provide stone specifications and certification information. The Dean Round Brilliant Four Claw Lab-Grown Diamond Band Engagement Ring lists the stone as a lab-grown diamond and includes independent IGI certification information.

[Image: Screenshot of LOHR product page showing stone and certification details]

For buyers comparing a lab grown diamond vs simulant, this distinction can provide additional confidence about what type of stone they are purchasing.

Is Moissanite a Lab Grown Diamond?

No. Moissanite is a diamond simulant, even when it is created in a laboratory.

This is an important distinction because both lab grown diamonds and moissanite can be manufactured using advanced technology.

The difference is the material.

A lab grown diamond is made of carbon with the crystal structure of diamond. Moissanite is silicon carbide. It can offer impressive brilliance and durability, but it remains a separate gemstone.

So, if you see the terms lab created, lab made or synthetic, always check what material the stone actually is.

Lab Grown Diamond vs Simulant for an Engagement Ring

For an engagement ring, the choice often comes down to whether you want a genuine diamond or a diamond alternative.

A lab grown diamond may be the better fit if you want:

• A genuine diamond

• Diamond's characteristic brilliance

• Excellent scratch resistance

• A stone suitable for everyday wear

• Independent grading or certification

• A modern alternative to a mined diamond

A simulant may make more sense if your main priority is achieving a sparkling look while keeping the purchase price as low as possible.

There is no universally right answer. The best choice depends on your budget, style and expectations.

For genuine lab grown diamond options, explore LOHR's lab grown diamond engagement ring collection.

Which Is Better: Lab Grown Diamond or Simulant?

Neither option is automatically better for every buyer.

• Choose a lab grown diamond if you want a genuine diamond with the durability, physical properties and optical characteristics associated with diamond.

• Choose a simulant if you primarily want a diamond-like appearance at a lower price and don't mind choosing a different gemstone.

The most important thing is knowing the difference before you buy.

A lab grown diamond and a simulant can both create beautiful jewellery, but they offer a fundamentally different proposition.

Final Thoughts

The difference between a lab grown diamond vs simulant comes down to what the stone actually is.

A lab grown diamond is a real diamond created in a laboratory. It has the same fundamental chemical composition and crystal structure as a natural diamond.

A diamond simulant is a different material chosen because it resembles diamond. Cubic zirconia, moissanite and white sapphire are examples of materials that can be used as diamond alternatives.

If authenticity, durability and long-term wear are important to you, a lab grown diamond may be the better choice. If keeping the cost down is your main priority, a simulant can provide a sparkling alternative.

Once you understand the difference, you can choose the stone that best fits your jewellery, budget and lifestyle.

FAQ

Is a lab grown diamond a simulant?

No. A lab grown diamond is a genuine diamond. A simulant is a different material designed to resemble diamond.

What is the difference between a lab grown diamond and a simulant?

The main difference is composition. Lab grown diamonds are made of carbon and have the crystal structure of diamond, while simulants are made from other materials and only imitate diamond's appearance.

Is moissanite a lab grown diamond?

No. Moissanite is a separate gemstone and is considered a diamond simulant. Although it can be created in a laboratory, it is not a diamond.

Is cubic zirconia a diamond simulant?

Yes. Cubic zirconia, or CZ, is one of the most common diamond simulants. It is made from zirconium dioxide rather than carbon.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are genuine diamonds created using laboratory technology rather than geological processes.

Which is more durable, a lab grown diamond or a simulant?

It depends on the simulant. Lab grown diamonds have a Mohs hardness of 10, while different simulants have different hardness levels. Moissanite is harder than cubic zirconia, for example.

Can a jeweller tell if a stone is a lab grown diamond or simulant?

Professional gemological testing can distinguish a lab grown diamond from a simulant by examining its physical, chemical and optical properties.

Are lab grown diamonds more expensive than simulants?

Generally, yes. Simulants are usually much less expensive because they are different gemstones rather than genuine diamonds.

Should I choose a lab grown diamond or simulant for an engagement ring?

If you want a genuine diamond for an engagement ring that you plan to wear every day, a lab grown diamond is generally the more suitable option. A simulant can be appropriate when keeping the cost as low as possible is the main priority.