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Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds Cost

While both lab and natural diamonds share identical chemical compositions and physical characteristics, their origins and pricing structures differ significantly. Understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision when purchasing a diamond.

In This Guide

01Lab Grown Diamond Price Factors vs. Natural 02How Much Do Lab Grown Diamonds Cost per Carat?031 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price 042 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price 053 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

Expertise you can trust: Brilliant Earth is known for its award-winning jewelry designs and seamless, innovative shopping experience. This Brilliant Earth diamond guide explains how and why lab and natural diamond costs differ. All Brilliant Earth guides are meticulously researched and reviewed by our certified gemologists, content, editorial, and brand teams before publication to ensure industry-leading excellence and accuracy.

Lab Grown Diamond Price Factors vs. Natural

Several factors influence the cost of lab-grown diamonds, including their production method. Advanced technologies, such as High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), are used to create lab-grown diamonds, which can impact the final price.

Just as with natural diamonds, color and clarity grades also play a significant role in lab diamond prices. Lab-grown diamonds with higher clarity and color grades typically cost more, just as natural diamonds do. Market dynamics can also influence the price of lab-grown diamonds.

Lab diamonds are a great way to maximize your budget as they tend to cost less than natural diamonds of similar quality. Multiple factors, including differences in production time, make lab grown diamonds a more accessible way to purchase high-quality, large-carat diamonds.

Natural diamonds, on the other hand, derive their higher cost from their limited quantity and the mining process. As finite resources, larger or higher-quality natural diamonds are especially rare, commanding premium prices.

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How Much Do Lab Grown Diamonds Cost per Carat?

The exact price per carat depends on the diamond's grade and market trends. Higher carat weights, superior clarity, cut, and color grades result in higher prices for both lab-grown and natural diamonds.

1 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

A 1-carat lab-grown diamond is an excellent choice for engagement rings and typically costs a few thousand, depending on its cut, color, and clarity grades. These diamonds are typically priced lower than natural diamonds of the same size, making them a cost-effective yet high-quality option.

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2 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

A 2-carat lab-grown diamond generally ranges from a few thousand to several thousand, offering an affordable way to achieve a larger stone with excellent brilliance and fire. While prices vary based on cut, color, and clarity, lab-grown options remain more affordable than their natural counterparts.

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3 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

A 3-carat lab-grown diamond is priced between a few thousand and tens of thousands, making it an attractive option for those seeking bold and impactful jewelry without the premium cost of natural diamonds. These diamonds are more expensive than smaller lab-grown stones but remain more budget-friendly than equivalent natural diamonds.

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Shop our preset designs crafted with hand-picked lab diamonds that perfectly complement their settings. These top-selling styles are ready to ship your way, stat — so you can propose now.

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