A Generic Diamond is a diamond grown in laboratory, mass produced and chemically identical to a natural diamond.
A Generic Diamond is a perfect copy of a natural diamond. The first lab grown gem-quality diamonds were produced in 1970 by General Electric. Since then, dozens of laboratories around the world have started to mass produce lab-grown diamonds due to the improvement of the manufacturing techniques and the constant upward pressure on natural diamond pricing.
For hundreds of years science has tried to create a perfect diamond. Finally, 21st century technology has made that prospect a reality.
The most trusted diamond grading laboratories in the world verified and certified the quality of the generic diamonds.
Much of the confidence in Generic Diamond substitution is based on the promise of equivalence and guarantee of quality and safety.
In order to satisfy those requirements, each single Generic Diamond is put through a rigorous multi-step approval process and controlled by an independent laboratory who provides a detailed report attesting to the quality of the diamond. From quality and performance to manufacturing and labeling, each diamond must meet the highest standards to be approved.
Today a Generic Diamond is about 30 to 35% less expensive than a natural diamond.
The main purpose of generic diamonds is to lower the price of diamonds and make it accessible to everyone. Today the price of a Generic Diamond is about 30 to 35% less expensive than a natural diamond.
By supporting the mass-production of lab-grown diamonds in controlled environment, the price of generic diamonds will continue to decrease every year while the quality of the production will continue to increase – like any industrial manufacturing process –
In the next decade, the difference of price with a natural diamond should reach 50% and later maybe more.
Generic or Lab-Grown Diamond Questions?
Get answers to frequently asked questions
about generic or lab-grown diamonds.
What are generic diamonds?
A generic diamond is a copy of a branded natural diamond. To be sold, a Generic Diamond must be bioequivalent to the branded diamond. This means that the generic diamond must be equivalent in dosage form, safety, strength, usage, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic diamonds are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded price.
Those diamonds are called many different names but all are synonymous: synthetic or lab-grown diamond are the most accepted terms, but also lab-created, man-made or cultured diamond. We prefer to call them generic diamonds.
Are generic real diamonds?
A Generic Diamond is a real diamond in every sense: chemically, physically, atomically and optically. Generic diamonds are diamonds but are made in laboratory rather than pulled from earth. A small diamond seed is placed in a tightly controlled environment where the rough diamond grows – atom by atom – recreating the natural process.
Generic diamonds are not simulants. A diamond simulant is something that may resemble a diamond, but does not possess the same properties as a diamond. Common simulants include cubic zirconia, moissanite, white sapphire and lead crystal.
Why use generic diamonds?
A Generic diamonds are lower-priced diamonds in which the composition is chemically equivalent to more expensive brand-name diamonds.
For some, a mined diamond will always be the preferred choice and we understand it. But for a growing number of socially conscious consumers, a Generic Diamond offers a real alternative: diamonds are grown in a controlled environment with a smaller carbon footprint and very little environmental impact. They are conflict-free and environmentally friendly. A Generic Diamond is a responsible purchasing decision and choice.
What standards do generic diamonds have to meet to be approved?
Generic or lab-grown diamonds have to meet rigid standards to be approved:
- Contain the same active ingredients as the natural diamond (Carbon);
- Be identical in strength, dosage form, and usage;
- Have the same use indications;
- Be bioequivalent;
- Meet the same batch requirements for identity, strength, purity, and quality;
- Be manufactured under the same strict standards of manufacturing practice regulations required for natural diamond.
Generic diamonds go through the same manufacturing and cutting process which includes rough analysing, planning, cleaving, bruiting and polishing. Then diamonds are graded to the same specifications as natural diamonds.
Why are generic diamonds less expensive?
Generic diamonds are less expensive for two main reasons:
Generic diamonds are lab-created and manufacturers. Thus, they don’t have to support the huge investment in prospecting and mining. Moreover, manufacturers don’t have to support the investment costs of the developer of a new brand. New brands are usually developed under patent protection. The patent protects the investment – including research, design, development, marketing, and promotion – by giving the company the sole right to sell the brand while it is in effect. Because those manufacturers don’t have the same development costs, they can sell their diamonds at substantial discounts.
Today a Generic Diamond is about 20% to 30% less expensive than a natural diamond.
What is the difference between a brand name diamond and a Generic Diamond?
There isn’t much of a difference except for the name itself, the fact that is cultured and not mined diamond and of course the price. Generic diamonds are chemically and therapeutically identical to their branded counterparts, they have the same composition and work the same way as brand name diamonds.
Manufactures or distributors of branded diamonds assign brand names to diamonds for marketing and advertising purposes. Generic diamonds are simply offered under the mineralogy name: the allotrope of carbon.
Are generic diamonds as effective as brand-name diamonds?
Yes. Generic or lab-grown diamonds have the same high quality, structure, refraction, dispersion, hardness and density as brand-name diamond. View the chart to compare the properties of mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, as well as common diamond simulants.
How much can I save by buying generic diamonds?
Generic diamonds come up with cheaper prices when compared to mined or branded diamonds. Research shows that you can save between 20% and 30% by buying a Generic Diamond and up to 400% instead of famous brand name diamonds.
In addition to the savings on the price, there are also savings on the carbon footprint for socially conscious consumers: compared to traditional diamond mining, generic diamonds consume much less energy to produce the same amount of rough diamond.
Who make lab-grown diamonds?
There are more and more manufacturers of lab-grow diamonds around the world and the largest ones are located in United States, China, India, Russia and Singapore.
All these laboratories are specializing in the manufacturing of lab grown gem-quality diamonds and some are divisions of major laboratories which produce industrial synthetic diamonds. These laboratories use the same methods for growing colorless or fancy color diamonds: the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or the Chemical Vapor Deposit (CVD) method.
Where can I buy generic or lab-grown diamonds?
You can buy lab-grown diamonds online and in some selected jewellery stores, but generic diamonds are only available on this website and through selected partners.
We are the worldwide leader and distributor of generic diamonds. Our online store offers the perfect selection of round diamonds sized from 0.30 to 1.00 carats.
For other sizes or shapes, contact us.
Do you need further assistance?
If you didn’t find your answer here or if you want to find out more about generic or synthetic diamonds, visit our help center.
