A real diamond. Grown, not mined.

A lab-grown diamond is, physically and chemically, a diamond. Pure carbon, crystallised in the same cubic lattice as a mined diamond. Except this lattice was formed in a sealed reactor over a matter of weeks, under conditions designed to mimic precisely those of the Earth’s mantle.

What we mean by lab-grown

A lab-grown diamond is not an imitation. It is the same crystal, with the same atomic bonds, the same refractive index of 2.42, and the same Mohs hardness of 10. Place a one-carat lab-grown next to a one-carat mined diamond of equivalent grade and you cannot tell them apart. Neither can a jeweller, neither can a gemmologist without specialist instruments.

How they are grown: HPHT and CVD

Two methods are used. HPHT recreates the conditions found 150km beneath the Earth’s surface in a sealed press, with carbon crystallising onto a diamond seed over two to four weeks. CVD grows the diamond layer by layer in a microwave-energised plasma chamber over four to ten weeks. Both produce real diamonds; CVD is more common for jewellery-grade gem stones at larger carat weights.

Provenance, footprint and value

Every stone we set has a documented origin. Which laboratory produced it, in which month, by which method. Lab-grown production uses electricity and water; mined production additionally uses fuel and disrupts approximately 100 square feet of earth per carat extracted, on average. A lab-grown diamond of equivalent grade costs roughly 40 to 60 percent less than its mined equivalent, allowing a larger or finer stone within the same budget.

IGI certification and the four Cs

Every Truce & Co. diamond arrives with an independent grading report from the International Gemological Institute. The four Cs are the agreed vocabulary: Cut governs how a diamond returns light (we supply only Excellent Cut); Colour is graded D through Z, with D-G the practical sweet spot for white diamonds; Clarity describes inclusions, with VS1, VS2, VVS1, VVS2 and IF all eye-clean to a naked observer; Carat is weight, not size.

Lab-grown versus mined

A mined diamond is a heritage object. A lab-grown diamond is a finished work, bought to be worn, valued for what it is rather than what it might one day fetch. We set both. The choice depends on whether resale value, tradition and cultural signalling matter more to you than maximum stone for budget. Both lose 50 to 70 percent of their original purchase price on the secondary market in any case. Buy a diamond to wear, not as an investment, and the choice gets easier. See our parallel guide on GIA-certified natural diamonds.

What it costs

A 1.5–2.0ct lab-grown solitaire engagement ring in platinum starts £2,500–£4,000. A 3ct cluster halo in 18ct gold sits £4,500–£7,500. A 5ct oval solitaire on a knife-edge platinum band is £8,000–£12,000. A diamond pavé eternity band is £1,800–£3,500. Bespoke pendants and earrings start at £1,500. All quotes are stone-plus-setting, fully bespoke, with no fixed catalogue.

Caring for a diamond

Wash with warm water, a little washing-up liquid and a soft toothbrush; rinse and pat dry. Avoid wearing during heavy manual work, while applying lotion, or in chlorinated pools. Bring the piece back to us once a year for a professional clean and a setting check. Included indefinitely with every piece we make.

Contact

Email: info@truce.diamonds
WhatsApp: +44 7988 479869
London, United Kingdom