Same chemistry, same hardness, same sparkle. A lab-grown diamond lets you choose a bigger or finer stone for your budget, and Mack will show you exactly how it compares to a natural one.
Regal Studio sets lab-grown diamonds in custom engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry in our Buckhead studio. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, with the same chemistry, hardness and sparkle as mined diamonds, and in 2026 they typically cost 80 to 90 percent less than a comparable natural stone. Master jeweler Mack, a GIA Diamond Grader, shows you both side by side so you can choose.
What are lab-grown diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds grown from carbon in a controlled environment. They are chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds, and can only be told apart with specialist lab equipment. That is why every lab-grown diamond should come with a grading report that states it is lab-grown.
They are made in one of two ways. HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) recreates the heat and pressure deep in the earth to crystallize carbon. CVD (chemical vapor deposition) builds the diamond layer by layer on a seed crystal from carbon-rich gas. Both produce real diamonds. What matters for you is the finished stone: its cut, color, clarity and report, not the method.
Both are real diamonds. The right choice depends on what matters most to you: size, tradition or long-term value.
What to check before you buy
A few simple checks separate a great lab-grown diamond from an expensive mistake.
A Grading Report
Look for a report from IGI or GIA that states the stone is lab-grown. GIA now describes lab-grown diamonds in a simpler format than natural ones; IGI gives full grades.
Cut Quality First
Cut drives sparkle more than size. A well-cut smaller diamond outshines a poorly cut larger one.
Treatment Disclosure
Some lab-grown stones are treated after growth to improve their color. That should always be disclosed.
Buy for Love, Not Resale
Lab-grown prices keep falling, so resale value is low. Choose the stone because you love it.
See It in Person
Photos flatter every diamond. Compare stones side by side under studio light before you decide.
A Jeweler Who Sells Both
When a jeweler sells lab-grown and natural, you get an honest comparison, not a sales pitch for one type.
Lab-grown or natural: which is right for you?
Neither is better. They are both real diamonds; the difference is origin, price and long-term value. At your consultation we show you both side by side so you can decide with your own eyes.
Lab-grown vs natural diamonds
| Lab-grown diamond | Natural diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Real diamond, grown in a lab | Real diamond, formed in the earth over billions of years |
| Look and hardness | Identical | Identical |
| Price (2026) | Typically 80 to 90 percent less for the same size and quality | Higher |
| Resale value | Low, often 10 to 30 percent of the price paid | Better, though still below retail |
| Best for | The biggest or best-looking stone for your budget | Tradition, rarity and long-term value |
Read more: lab-grown diamond prices in 2026, resale value of lab vs natural diamonds and diamond price per carat. Or browse loose lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds.
Set in our Buckhead studio
Every design can be made with a lab-grown or a natural diamond. Each is modeled in 3D and crafted by hand.
From consultation to your hand
Consultation
A free consultation in our studio or by video. Tell us what you’re making and your budget.
Compare Diamonds
See lab-grown and natural diamonds side by side. Mack explains each stone’s grade and report.
Design
Choose a setting or design your own. You review a 3D model and a clear quote before anything is made.
Crafting
Your diamond is set and the piece finished by hand in our Buckhead studio.
Pickup
Most pieces are ready 4 to 6 weeks after you approve the design. Rush orders are available for an additional fee.
Expert advice, not a sales pitch
A GIA Diamond Grader
Mack has graded diamonds for decades. He explains every stone so you know exactly what you’re buying.
Lab-Grown and Natural
We sell both, so our advice is honest. Many clients compare both before choosing.
Made to Order in Buckhead
Design, CAD, casting, setting and finishing all happen in our studio on Peachtree Road.
45+ Years at the Bench
Mack began his craft at 14 in his family’s jewelry business and has made pieces for everyday clients, celebrities and professional athletes.
Frequently Asked
Yes. They have the same chemistry, hardness and sparkle as mined diamonds. The only difference is where they were formed.
In 2026 they typically cost 80 to 90 percent less than a comparable natural diamond, and the gap grows at larger sizes.
Not well. Resale is often 10 to 30 percent of the price paid, and prices keep falling, so choose one because you love it rather than as an investment.
Not by eye. Only specialist lab equipment can tell lab-grown from natural, which is why the grading report matters.
Yes. Most custom rings are finished 4 to 6 weeks after you approve the design, and you see a 3D model before anything is made.
Yes. We show lab-grown and natural diamonds side by side so you can compare them in person.
Yes. We work by appointment only: Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturdays by appointment. Consultations are free, in the studio or by video.
The finest jewelry isn’t bought. It’s commissioned.
See them side by side. Then decide.
Book a free consultation with Mack. Compare lab-grown and natural diamonds in person and get honest advice on which suits your piece and your budget.
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