Every stone on this page is laboratory-grown. Each one is created in a laboratory; none of them are mined, and none of them come out of the ground.
Every coloured stone and every diamond described here was created in a controlled laboratory environment rather than mined. It is also the same mineral as the mined gemstone of the same name — with the same chemistry and the same crystal structure. Below we set out, stone by stone, exactly what that does and does not mean.
What does "laboratory-grown" mean?
"Laboratory-grown" (also written laboratory-created) describes a gem material that is grown by humans in a laboratory, but which shares essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as the mined gemstone it is named after. This is the description used by the gem laboratories that test and identify these stones, and it is the only kind of description we use.
Every stone on this page is laboratory-grown. None of our laboratory-grown stones are mined.
The same mineral, the same chemistry, the same crystal structure
Every laboratory-grown stone we sell is the same mineral species as its mined counterpart, with the same chemical formula and the same crystal structure:
- A laboratory-grown ruby and a mined ruby are both the mineral corundum — Al₂O₃.
- A laboratory-grown diamond and a mined diamond are both carbon, crystallised in the cubic (isometric) system — C.
- A laboratory-grown emerald and a mined emerald are both the mineral beryl — Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈.
- A laboratory-grown spinel and a mined spinel are both MgAl₂O₄.
This is why gem laboratories describe laboratory-grown material as having essentially the same optical, physical and chemical properties as the mined stone.
What we do not claim
We do not claim that a laboratory-grown stone is identical to a mined stone in every respect. Because they form in very different conditions, laboratory-grown stones can differ from mined stones in two specific ways:
- Trace elements. Mined corundum, for example, typically carries traces of iron, titanium and chromium; mined diamonds typically carry traces of nitrogen or boron. These traces can differ in a laboratory-grown stone.
- Internal features (inclusions). The way a crystal grows leaves microscopic fingerprints. A flux-grown or hydrothermally grown stone carries different internal features from a mined one.
These differences do not change what the stone is — the mineral, the formula and the crystal structure are the same. They are simply the record of a different growth history, and they are exactly what a gem laboratory examines when it identifies a stone.
How our stones are grown and finished
Growth methods
- Laboratory-grown corundum — our ruby, sapphire, padparadscha, pink sapphire and lavender sapphire — and laboratory-grown spinel are grown by flame fusion (the Verneuil process) and crystal pulling (the Czochralski process).
- Laboratory-grown diamond is grown by HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapour deposition). In our range, yellow and blue laboratory-grown diamonds are grown by HPHT, and pink and red laboratory-grown diamonds are produced by electron-beam irradiation followed by low-temperature annealing.
- Laboratory-grown emerald is not grown by flame fusion or crystal pulling — beryl does not form that way. It is grown by flux growth or hydrothermal growth.
No fillers
Our laboratory-grown coloured stones are grown from their constituent oxides. They contain no lead glass and no other filler or bonding agent — nothing is added to them to fill fractures or to alter their colour after growth.
Our metal finishes — and how long they last
Our sterling silver pieces carry a rhodium surface layer or an 18K gold surface layer over a 925 sterling silver base. The finish is a surface layer applied over the silver — it is not solid rhodium and not solid gold.
These finishes have passed human sweat testing carried out by our supplier. On that basis, we expect the colour to hold up in normal wear for two years. If the finish does lose its colour within two years of purchase, we will re-plate it free of charge.
What this is based on: our supplier's sweat-test results and their finishing specification. It is a wear expectation under normal conditions for a plated surface — not a promise that a plated finish can never wear. Perfume, cosmetics, chlorine, salt water and abrasive contact all shorten the life of any plated finish. See Caring for your piece.
The stones, one by one
Laboratory-Grown Fancy-Colour Diamond
| What it is | Diamond — the mineral carbon |
| Chemical composition | C (essentially pure carbon) |
| Crystal system | Cubic (isometric) |
| Common growth methods | HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapour deposition) |
| Same as mined diamond in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal system, hardness (10), refractive index (2.42) and specific gravity (≈3.52) |
| How it can still be identified | By growth morphology and fluorescence patterns — HPHT- and CVD-grown diamonds have distinct growth morphologies — and by laboratory screening instruments. |
| Colour and treatment | Yellow and blue fancy-colour diamonds in our range are grown by HPHT — the colour is produced during growth. Pink and red fancy-colour diamonds are treated after growth by electron-beam irradiation followed by low-temperature annealing. That is a treatment, and we disclose it here and on the product page. |
| Certification | Issued with a grading report from IGI. A certificate order takes 2–3 days longer to dispatch because the report is produced after you order — see our Shipping & Delivery policy. |
Our laboratory-grown fancy-colour diamonds are laboratory-grown diamonds with a colour other than the near-colourless range.
Laboratory-Grown Ruby
| What it is | Ruby — the red variety of the mineral corundum |
| Chemical composition | Al₂O₃ (aluminium oxide). Chromium is the trace element that causes the red colour |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (rhombohedral lattice; also described in the hexagonal setting, point group 3 2/m, space group R3c) |
| Common growth methods | Flame fusion (Verneuil), crystal pulling (Czochralski), flux growth, hydrothermal growth |
| Same as mined ruby in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal system, hardness (9), refractive index (1.762–1.770) and specific gravity (≈4.00) |
| How it can still be identified | By internal growth features — for example curved striae (typical of flame fusion) and flux residue (typical of flux growth). Trace elements can also differ from a mined stone. |
Laboratory-Grown Sapphire
| What it is | Sapphire — corundum in any colour other than red |
| Chemical composition | Al₂O₃. Blue sapphire is coloured by iron and titanium; pink and red hues by chromium |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (rhombohedral lattice; hexagonal setting; point group 3 2/m, space group R3c) |
| Common growth methods | Flame fusion (Verneuil), crystal pulling (Czochralski), flux growth, hydrothermal growth |
| Same as mined sapphire in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal system, hardness (9), refractive index (1.762–1.770) and specific gravity (≈4.00) |
| How it can still be identified | Curved striae and flux residue; trace elements can differ from a mined stone |
Laboratory-Grown Padparadscha Sapphire
| What it is | Corundum with a pinkish-orange colour — the hue known in the trade as padparadscha |
| Chemical composition | Al₂O₃ |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (rhombohedral lattice; hexagonal setting) |
| Common growth methods | Flame fusion, flux growth, crystal pulling, hydrothermal growth |
| Same as mined corundum in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal structure and physical constants |
| Our colour description | We describe this stone as pinkish orange — a blend of pink and orange. It is not a pure pink and not a pure orange. |
| How it can still be identified | Curved striae / flux residue; trace elements can differ |
Important: we do not describe our laboratory-grown padparadscha sapphire by any mining origin or locality, and we do not call it a mined padparadscha. This is a laboratory-grown stone.
Laboratory-Grown Pink Sapphire
| What it is | Corundum with a straightforward pink colour |
| Chemical composition | Al₂O₃; the pink colour is caused by chromium |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (rhombohedral lattice; hexagonal setting) |
| Common growth methods | Flame fusion, flux growth, crystal pulling, hydrothermal growth |
| Same as mined corundum in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal structure and physical constants |
| How it can still be identified | Curved striae / flux residue; trace elements can differ |
Laboratory-Grown Lavender Sapphire
| What it is | Corundum in a pale pinkish-violet (lavender) tone |
| Chemical composition | Al₂O₃ |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (rhombohedral lattice; hexagonal setting) |
| Common growth methods | Flame fusion, flux growth, crystal pulling, hydrothermal growth |
| Same as mined corundum in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal structure and physical constants |
| How it can still be identified | Curved striae / flux residue; trace elements can differ |
Laboratory-Grown Emerald
| What it is | Emerald — the green variety of the mineral beryl |
| Chemical composition | Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal (point group 6/m 2/m 2/m, space group P6/mcc) |
| Common growth methods | Flux growth and hydrothermal growth — emerald is not grown by flame fusion or crystal pulling |
| Same as mined emerald in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal system, hardness (7.5–8), refractive index (1.577–1.583) and specific gravity (≈2.72) |
| How it can still be identified | Laboratory-grown emeralds often show internal features that are the record of their growth — for example phenakite crystals and roiled growth zoning, which point to flux or hydrothermal origin. Mined emeralds typically show multiphase fluid inclusions instead. |
| Fillers and clarity enhancement | Our laboratory-grown emeralds contain no lead glass and no other filler or bonding agent, and they are not clarity-enhanced with oil and not with resin — no oil, no resin. If a stone ever requires a treatment, we state it — and any special care it needs — on the product page. |
Important: we do not use mining origin or locality names for our laboratory-grown emeralds. Mined emeralds may be described as heat-treated or clarity-enhanced; that is a different product.
Laboratory-Grown Spinel
| What it is | Spinel |
| Chemical composition | MgAl₂O₄ (magnesium aluminium oxide). Colour comes from trace amounts of chromium, iron and cobalt |
| Crystal system | Cubic (isometric) |
| Common growth methods | Flame fusion (Verneuil) is the most common method; flux-grown spinel is also produced, generally in red and blue |
| Same as mined spinel in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal system, hardness (8), refractive index (≈1.717) and single refraction |
| How it can still be identified | Flux-grown spinel can be separated from mined spinel by inclusions of transparent brownish flux (and to some extent by its spectrum); laboratory-grown spinel can also show curved colour zoning |
Moissanite
| What it is | Moissanite — silicon carbide. It is not a diamond and not a corundum |
| Chemical composition | SiC (silicon carbide) |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Common growth methods | Grown synthetically; commercially available as a diamond alternative since 1998. Production patents expired in 2018, which is why moissanite is now widely available |
| Same as mined moissanite in | Mineral species and chemical formula. Moissanite that occurs in the ground is extremely rare and is not used in commercial jewellery |
| How it can still be identified | Moissanite is doubly refractive, with very high birefringence. That produces the characteristic "doubling" of facet edges and of the table reflection seen through the stone — a quick visual separation from diamond, which is singly refractive. Hardness is 9.25 |
| Colour | Moissanite is also produced in coloured varieties. The colour method for a specific piece is stated on its product page. |
| Metal finish | Our moissanite pieces are set in 925 sterling silver with a rhodium surface layer or an 18K gold surface layer — see how long our finishes last. |
Important: we never describe moissanite as diamond, laboratory-grown diamond, or a type of diamond. It is a different mineral with a different chemical formula.
Laboratory-Grown Diamond
| What it is | Diamond — the mineral carbon |
| Chemical composition | C (essentially pure carbon) |
| Crystal system | Cubic (isometric), space group Fd3m |
| Common growth methods | HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapour deposition). Growth typically takes less than a month |
| Same as mined diamond in | Mineral species, chemical formula, crystal system, hardness (10), refractive index (2.42) and specific gravity (≈3.52) |
| How it can still be identified | Laboratory-grown diamonds are essentially chemically and optically the same as mined diamonds, so traditional gemmological observation and older-style diamond testers cannot separate them. Identification requires a professional gem laboratory or a screening instrument. Growth morphology and fluorescence patterns differ between HPHT- and CVD-grown stones, and mined diamonds typically carry nitrogen or boron traces |
| Certification | Issued with a grading report from IGI. A certificate order takes 2–3 days longer to dispatch because the report is produced after you order — see our Shipping & Delivery policy. |
How we label our stones
We use one naming rule across the site. Laboratory-grown stones are always named with "Laboratory-Grown" immediately in front of the stone name, at the same size and prominence:
- ✅ Laboratory-Grown Ruby · Laboratory-Grown Sapphire · Laboratory-Grown Padparadscha Sapphire · Laboratory-Grown Pink Sapphire · Laboratory-Grown Lavender Sapphire · Laboratory-Grown Emerald · Laboratory-Grown Spinel · Laboratory-Grown Fancy-Colour Diamond · Laboratory-Grown Diamond
- ✅ Moissanite (named as moissanite — never as diamond)
- ❌ Ruby · Sapphire · Emerald · Diamond (with no qualifier)
- ❌ Any mining origin or locality name applied to a laboratory-grown stone
If a stone has been treated, we say so on the product page, together with anything you need to know about caring for it.
Certificates. Laboratory-grown diamonds are issued with a grading report from IGI. Laboratory-grown gemstones are issued with a report from AGL. An IGI report for a diamond is a full grading report; an AGL report for a coloured stone is an identification report. Because the report is produced after you place your order, a certificate order takes 2–3 days longer to dispatch — see our Shipping & Delivery policy. We never present a supplier certificate as a grading report from a gem laboratory.
Questions we are asked
Is a laboratory-grown stone a fake?
No. It is a laboratory-grown gemstone of the same mineral species as the mined stone it is named after — the same chemical formula, the same crystal structure. What it is not, is mined. We label every laboratory-grown stone as laboratory-grown.
Is it the same as a mined stone?
It is the same mineral, with the same chemical formula and the same crystal structure. It is not the same stone in every respect: trace elements and internal features can differ, because they grew in different conditions. Gem laboratories use exactly those differences when they identify a stone.
Why is it less expensive than a mined stone?
Because it can be grown rather than found. Rarity, not chemistry, is what drives the price of mined stones at the top of the market.
Will it look different?
In appearance and wear, a well-cut laboratory-grown stone looks and behaves like the mined stone of the same species. Some laboratory-grown stones are actually cleaner, because they were grown in controlled conditions.
Does it come with a certificate?
Yes, for orders that include one. Laboratory-grown diamonds come with a grading report issued by IGI, and laboratory-grown gemstones come with a report issued by AGL. The report is produced after you order, so a certificate order takes 2–3 days longer to dispatch — see our Shipping & Delivery policy. The product page states which certificate a piece comes with. We never present a supplier certificate as a grading report from a gem laboratory.
Will the finish wear off?
Our rhodium and 18K gold surface layers have passed supplier human sweat testing and are expected to keep their colour in normal wear for two years, and we re-plate free of charge within that period. See how long our finishes last.
Caring for your piece
Laboratory-grown corundum, spinel, diamond and moissanite are hard, durable stones. Beryl (emerald) is softer and more brittle, so treat emerald with more care.
- Emerald and emerald-set pieces: avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, avoid knocks, and keep the stone away from heat and solvents — beryl is softer and more brittle than corundum or diamond. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth.
- Corundum, spinel, diamond and moissanite: warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry with a soft cloth.
- Rhodium and 18K gold finishes: put jewellery on after perfume and cosmetics, keep it dry, and store pieces separately. Chlorine, salt water and abrasive contact all shorten the life of a plated finish.