Lab-grown diamonds, in a nutshell

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamondsmade from pure carbon, just like those formed underground. They’re created above ground using the same natural forces of heat and pressure, only accelerated to take weeks instead of millennia. The result? A lab created diamond that is chemically, physicallyand optically identical to a mined one. Each stone is certified and graded to the same international standards. What sets them apart is their origin: often more sustainable, traceable and ethical.

What is a lab-grown diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds made using cutting-edge, modern technology that replicates the conditions in which a diamond is formed underneath the Earth – intense heat, pressure and carbon. Instead of taking millions of years, this process takes just a couple of weeks, above ground, in controlled lab conditions. The result is a diamond with the same atomic structure as a mined diamond – but made without the environmental destruction that is involved with digging up the earth.  

How are lab-grown diamonds made?

Lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory setting using various methods, mainly:   

  • High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT): consists of applying intense pressure and heat to a carbon source – often used to create or enhance larger or coloured diamonds.  
  • Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD): made with a carbon-rich gas in a vacuum chamber, allowing for greater control over purity. It can produce high-quality, colourless diamonds with fewer inclusions. 

What sets both processes apart is the opportunity it offers for transparency and accountability. In contrast to mined diamonds, which often come from regions with poor working conditions, low pay and serious human rights concerns, lab-grown diamonds can give control over the supply chain. Mined diamonds also carry a heavy environmental footprint, with up to 176,000 pounds of earth displaced for a single one-carat stone, contributing to deforestation, erosion and ecosystem destruction. 

Lab-grown diamonds – if made in a conscious way – allow for a more considered approach: one that reduces harm, improves traceability and opens the door to a better future for the industry. 

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes – lab-grown diamonds are 100% real. They are chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds. The only difference is how and where they’re made, not what they’re made of. Lab-grown diamonds are also certified and graded by the same international gem labs that grade mined diamonds. 

How do lab-grown diamonds compare to mined diamonds?

Mined diamonds are formed naturally but getting them out of the ground involves large-scale mining, land disturbance, water use and energy. Lab-grown diamonds offer the same brilliance and strength but with far less negative environmental and social impact. They also tend to be more affordable, traceable and conflict-free diamonds – making them a more conscious choice without compromising on quality. 

Are all lab-grown diamonds ethical or sustainable?

No. While lab-grown diamonds are often marketed as sustainable, many are made in factories powered by fossil fuels, often overseas, with little transparency around sourcing or energy use. The carbon footprint of a lab-grown diamond depends entirely on how and where it’s made. 

What makes a Skydiamond different from other lab-grown diamonds? 

Skydiamond goes beyond “lab-grown”. While most lab-grown diamonds are created in overseas factories powered by fossil fuels, our process is designed from the ground up to be different – and better. That’s why we have been named the world’s most sustainable lab-grown diamonds by Imperial College London.  

How are Skydiamonds made? 

It starts in the sky – not the ground.

  • Step 1

    We extract CO₂ from the atmosphere, which we liquify and purify – an important step in ensuring the quality of our diamonds. With the CO₂ removed, the air released back into the atmosphere is cleaner than we found it.

  • Step 2

    We take rainwater collected from our factory roof and split it into oxygen and hydrogen using electrolysis.

  • Step 3

    CO₂ from the air and hydrogen from the rain are combined with biological single-cell life forms (the equivalent of a diamond sourdough starter) in a completely patented and bespoke process to create methane, which we feed into our diamond mills with a dash of nitrogen.

  • Step 4

    Inside our mills we grow our Skydiamonds on tiny diamond seeds (which we also make) in a ball of plasma running at about 1,000 degrees Celsius – roughly the temperature of the outer layer of the sun – using the renewable energy provided by the solar and wind power of our sister company, Ecotricity.

  • Step 5

    Several weeks later, our Skydiamonds have emerged. They are sent in batches to world class cutters and polishers in Surat, India; a woman's collective training and paying the female artisans the same as their male counterparts, and giving them flexible working hours to work accommodate family commitments.

  • Step 6

    Official Diamond Certification using the expected 4C's is conducted at Anchorcert, UK - we don't accept any stones under H VVS2. These hand selected stones are then set made into our fine jewellery pieces in recycled precious metals. All that remains is to brighten up the lives of our customers, who know they are wearing something beautiful from both inside and out.

We start by capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, removing greenhouse gas at its source. Then, we collect surplus rainwater, which is used in an electrolysis process to produce hydrogen. That hydrogen is combined with the captured carbon to form methane – the key ingredient needed to grow a diamond. This methane is fed into a plasma reactor running at around 1,000°C, where diamond crystals grow atom by atom, layer by layer, over a period of weeks. The energy for this entire process comes from 100% renewable sources – wind and solar power from our sister company, Ecotricity. 

Once grown, our responsibly sourced diamonds are sent to our polishing partner in India – a world-class cutting and polishing facility known not only for its craftsmanship, but also for its commitment to social equity. They have a dedicated sustainability department and a gender equality programme that ensures women are paid equally and given equal opportunities in a male-dominated industry. 

Read more about how a Skydiamond is created

Why is a Skydiamond a more sustainable choice than other diamonds? 

Our process is independently verified by Imperial College London and proven to be carbon-negative – meaning we remove more carbon from the atmosphere than we produce. Compared to a mined diamond, a Skydiamonduses thousands of times less water, land and energy, and avoids the social and ethical issues tied to the mining industry.

Why choose a Skydiamond?

Because it’s not just anyman-madediamond. It’s a reflection of what you believe in. Our responsibly sourced diamonds offer the same brilliance, beauty and durability as a mined diamond – without the environmental damage, the hidden labour exploitation or the murky supply chains. It’s an ethical diamond made for the future – and for people who care about how things are made.

Is Skydiamond certified?

Skydiamond sets itself apart in the gemstone market with its
prestigious AnchorCert certification, a testament to its commitment to quality
and ethical standards. This certification, awarded by the Birmingham Assay
Office, signifies that each Skydiamond has been rigorously evaluated for its
purity, craftsmanship, and overall quality. The AnchorCert seal is more than just a mark of excellence; it reassures consumers that they are investing in a product that not only meets but exceeds industry standards. This distinction places Skydiamond a cut above the rest in the market that don’t undergo such rigorous testing.

Where are Skydiamonds made and finished?

Skydiamonds are UK made lab-grown diamonds using carbon from
the atmosphere, renewable energy and rainwater. Once fully formed, they’re sent
to our polishing partner in India– a cutting and polishing facility known for exceptional craftsmanship, gender equity and sustainability leadership. Every step is traceable, ethical and chosen with care.

Can you tell the difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds? 

No – not without specialist equipment. Lab-grown diamonds
are visually and structurally identical to mined diamonds. Even professional gemmologists can’t tell the difference with the naked eye. 

The only way to detect how a diamond was formed is by using highly sensitive machines designed to analyse atomic structure. Because they are so alike, leading certification labs like GIA, HRD and IGI now grade lab-grown and mined diamonds using the same standards, including cut, clarity, colour and carat. In every measurable way, a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond. 

Is a lab-grown diamond still a luxury product?

Absolutely. A lab-grown diamond has all the same qualities as a mined one – beauty and brilliance. But it also reflects something more: intention, traceability and a commitment to better choices. At Skydiamond, we believe true luxury isn’t about excess –it’s about purpose.

Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?

Lab-grown diamonds are valued for their quality and craftsmanship, not artificial scarcity. While resale prices can vary, it's important to note that relating mined diamonds to rarity is the result of the industry’s marketing strategies. The documentary Nothing Lasts Forever delves into how this portrayal of rarity has influenced consumer perception. In reality, many mined diamonds are more abundant than commonly believed. 

Choosing a Skydiamond means investing in a piece that's not only identical in brilliance and durability to a mined diamond but also aligns with values of sustainability and ethical production. It's a modern symbol of love and commitment, reflecting both personal significance and a conscious choice. 

How do I buy a lab-grown diamond?

Buying a diamond can feel overwhelming, especially with so many choices and claims out there. But a little clarity goes a long way. Here’s our recommendation: 

  • Start with trust. Look for a brand that offers full transparency, not just on quality and price, but on where and how the diamond was made. Reputable brands will have independent certifications, sustainability proof points and supply chain information you can verify. 
  • Know what you want. Think about shape, size (carat) and the qualities that matter most to you – whether that’s clarity, colour or where the stone came from. A good jeweller will help guide you through these decisions without the jargon or pressure. 
  • Ask questions. Whether you’re buying a ready-made piece or designing your own, don’t be afraid to ask how the diamond was grown, who cut it and how it’s graded. The more you know, the better your choice will feel. 

At Skydiamond, we’re here to make the experience feel grounded, meaningful and transparent – so you always know exactly what you’re getting and why it matters.