5 Reasons Not to Buy a Lab Diamond Engagement Ring (And Why They’re Wrong)

Lab diamond engagement rings have become one of the most talked-about choices in fine jewelry. And yet, for every glowing review they get on Instagram or TikTok, there are comments about their value perception. For example:

• Some complain that they don’t sparkle like natural diamonds, while others insist they’re really synthetic stones. 

• Still others claim that they are a passing phase for buyers watching their wallets. 

All of these claims are inaccurate, but they’ve been repeated so many times that they’re accepted as fact. They ignore the reality that lab-grown diamonds have evolved dramatically since they were first produced for jewelry during the 1970s. So before you cross lab diamonds off your list, let's take a closer look at the five most common myths about them and reveal the truth. You might find that the ring you've been dismissing is exactly the one you've been looking for.

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The Naomi with a 2.5 carat Emerald cut Lab Diamond in Yellow Gold, The Pave Alison with a 2.5 carat Oval cut Lab Diamond in White Gold, The Nelly with a 3 carat Oval cut Lab Diamond in Rose Gold and The Pave Alex with a 3 carat Radiant cut Lab Diamond in Yellow Gold

Myth #1: Lab Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle Over Time

This one comes up a lot. If something is made in a lab rather than formed over billions of years beneath the earth's surface, surely it must be less authentic? 

Not quite - lab diamonds ARE real diamonds. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. The Federal Trade Commission actually updated its definition of “diamond” in 2018 to remove the word “natural,” recognizing that diamonds are defined by their properties rather than their origin.

If you look at both a natural diamond and lab-grown center stone, you won’t be able to tell the difference, especially with a luxurious engagement ring like The Penelope. This bestselling side stone piece has a delicate band adorned with six pavé-set accent diamonds and four micro diamonds along the bridge. Pair it with a lab diamond center stone, and that brilliance is going to last a lifetime. Guaranteed.

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The Penelope with a 3 carat Emerald cut Lab Diamond and the Patricia, the Lindsey and the Penelope bands in White Gold

Myth #2: Lab Diamonds Look Fake

This is probably the most persistent myth of them all. But if you believe that lab-grown diamonds look glassy, cheap, or somehow “off,” you’re probably confusing them with diamond simulants like cubic zirconia.

Since lab diamonds are chemically and structurally identical to natural ones, they have the same refractive index, hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and stunning play of light. Even with specialized equipment, the only way to distinguish a lab diamond from a mined diamond is to look for trace elements that differ based on how each was formed.

Keyzar's The Amber is a stunning example of what lab-grown diamonds can look like in the right setting. It's a vintage-inspired ring with intricate milgrain edging, engraved detailing on the head, and a sleek solitaire band that balances the overall look. It's the kind of ring that stops people mid-sentence. And the lab diamond sitting at its center? Absolutely indistinguishable from anything pulled out of the earth.

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The Amber with a 2.5 carat Emerald cut Lab Diamond and The Jasmine band in Yellow Gold

Myth #3: Lab Diamonds Are Just a Trend

Lab diamonds have been called a fad for a while now. The argument goes something like this: they're popular because they're cheaper, and once the novelty wears off, buyers will go back to natural diamonds. 

It’s not true: couples today want to know what they're purchasing and where it came from. Lab-grown diamonds fit naturally into that shift: their origins are transparent, their quality is high, and they’re as affordable as they are sustainable.

The Kamellie is a ring that speaks to exactly that kind of forward-thinking buyer. A Keyzar bestseller, this beautiful solitaire engagement ring pairs a slim band with a hidden halo beneath the center stone, adding a flash of dainty sparkle. It's the kind of design that's thoroughly modern and yet will look just as beautiful decades from now. That's not a trend for a special occasion: that's a ring built to last.

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The Kamellie with a 5 carat Radiant cut Lab Diamond in Yellow Gold

Myth #4: Lab Diamonds Are Only for Budget Buyers

Yes, according to The Knot, lab-grown diamonds are priced more accessibly than natural diamonds. But the buyers choosing them aren't doing so reluctantly. When a lab diamond can cost 60 to 85 percent less than a mined diamond of the same grade, the question stops being "can I afford this?" and starts being "what do I actually want to do with this budget?" Depending on your goals, that might be a higher-quality stone or a more expensive setting.

The Lindsey brings that idea to life beautifully. Its band is partially lined with an alternating arrangement of marquise and round-cut diamonds, giving it serious sparkle and heirloom-quality drama. Pairing it with a lab diamond in a higher carat size is exactly the kind of upgrade that the price advantage makes possible. Why choose between a show-stopping setting and a breathtaking stone when you can have both?

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The Lindsey with a 2 carat Marquise cut Lab Diamond and The Lindsey band in Yellow Gold

Myth #5: Lab Diamonds Don’t Feel Special or Romantic

With this one, the idea is that a diamond formed naturally in the earth has a poetic significance that a lab-grown stone simply can't replicate. It's a romantic notion, but when you examine it closely, it doesn't hold up. 

What truly makes an engagement ring special isn’t just its beauty, but the love story behind it: the connection it celebrates, the moment it’s given, and the promise it holds. None of those things has anything to do with geology. A proposal is meaningful because of the two people involved and the promise being made, not because of the supply chain that produced the stone.

The Elizabeth illustrates this concept beautifully. It has an engraved vine pattern running along the band, framed by delicate milgrain detailing that gives it an undeniable old-world romance. Its classic profile creates a graceful look on the hand while four delicate prongs maximize the brilliance of the center stone. A lab diamond at its center doesn't diminish any of that: it's simply the stone that makes it complete.

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The Elizabeth with a 5 carat Oval cut Lab Diamond with double prongs in Yellow Gold

Why Lab Diamond Engagement Rings Are Worth a Second Look

Lab-created diamonds aren’t a compromise: they’re a conscious choice. And increasingly, they’re the choice that makes the most sense for modern couples. Beyond their beauty and accessibility, they’re more sustainable, reducing environmental impact while still delivering exceptional brilliance. For those who want an engagement ring that reflects not only their love, but their values, lab-grown diamonds are a perfect match.

Lab diamonds aren’t just holding their own against mined ones: they’re redefining what an engagement ring can be. Greater choice, genuine quality, and a more responsible origin all come together to create something truly meaningful. That’s a combination worth celebrating!

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The Elizabeth with a 4.5 carat Radiant cut Lab Diamond in Yellow Gold, The 2mm Madison with a 1.5 carat Radiant cut Lab Diamond in White Gold, The Pave Lily with a 3 carat Asscher cut Lab Diamond in Yellow Gold, and The Amber with a 2 carat Cushion cut Lab Diamond in White Gold

FAQS

Lab diamonds are grown using one of two methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT diamonds) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD diamonds). Both replicate the conditions under which natural diamonds form in the earth: 

• HPHT uses intense pressure and heat to transform a diamond seed into a fully grown stone.

• CVD builds a diamond layer by layer from carbon-rich gas in a controlled chamber. 

Either way, the result is the same: a genuine diamond with the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties as one that formed naturally. The difference is that the lab version takes weeks rather than billions of years. And of course, no sustainability issues!

Yes, lab diamonds are considered conflict free diamonds because they are created in controlled laboratory environments rather than mined from regions where diamond sales have historically funded violence or exploitation. Energy and water consumption are also lower, resulting in fewer carbon emissions (and therefore a smaller carbon footprint) than mined diamonds.

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are graded and certified by the same independent gemological authorities that assess natural diamonds, including the International Gemological Institute (IGI) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). A grading standards report breaks down the stone's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, and confirms its origin as lab-grown. At Keyzar, every lab diamond purchase includes an IGI or GIA certificate and a professional appraisal, so you know exactly what you're getting.

Lab diamonds don't hold their resale value as well as natural diamonds do. Their price has dropped considerably as production technology has become more accessible, and that trend is expected to continue. That said, most couples don't buy a bespoke engagement ring with plans to sell it, and for those who care more about the beauty and size of the stone they're wearing than its future resale value, the trade-off makes a lot of sense.