Lab-Grown Diamonds in Atlanta – A Smarter Way to Buy Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds offer the same brilliance and durability as natural diamonds — at a more accessible price. Whether you’re designing an engagement ring or upgrading your jewelry, our experts help you choose the perfect stone with confidence.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Same carbon structure, same hardness, same sparkle as a stone mined from the earth. The only difference is where they’re made.
Instead of forming over billions of years underground, lab diamonds are grown in a controlled environment that recreates the exact conditions found beneath the earth’s surface. The result is a finished diamond in a matter of weeks, not eons. Every other property stays the same: they score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, they refract light identically, and they’re graded by the same organizations (GIA, IGI) using the same 4 Cs as natural diamonds.
If you put a lab-grown diamond next to a natural one, even a trained jeweler can’t tell them apart without specialized equipment.
Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds
This is the question almost every client asks when they walk into our Atlanta showroom. Here’s how they actually compare.
Price. Lab-grown diamonds cost 30 to 60 percent less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. A 2-carat lab-grown diamond often costs what a 1-carat natural diamond would.
Appearance. Identical. Same fire, same brilliance, same scintillation. No visible difference to the naked eye or under a jeweler’s loupe.
Durability. Both rate 10 on the Mohs scale. Both are equally resistant to scratches and chips. Both will last a lifetime and beyond.
Value over time. This is where natural diamonds have the edge. They hold traditional resale value better because of their rarity. Lab diamonds, because they can be produced in larger quantities, typically don’t retain their purchase price the same way. For clients buying jewelry to wear and pass down, this matters less. For clients thinking of diamonds as long-term financial assets, it’s worth considering.
Sourcing. Lab diamonds are ethically sourced by nature of how they’re made. Natural diamonds can also be ethically sourced, but it requires more diligence from the seller.
Want to compare both in person? Explore our natural diamonds collection alongside our lab-grown selection.
Why Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds
- Better value. Get a larger, higher-quality stone for what you’d spend on a smaller natural diamond.
- Ethical sourcing. Every lab-grown diamond is created in a controlled environment with full transparency about its origin.
- Larger size for the same budget. Want a 2-carat center stone without a 2-carat price tag? Lab-grown makes it possible.
- Environmentally conscious. Lab diamonds require no mining, less land disruption, and typically have a smaller environmental footprint than mined diamonds.
How to Choose the Right Lab Diamond
The same principles apply to lab-grown diamonds as natural ones. Here’s what to focus on:
Cut. This matters more than anything else. Cut determines how light moves through the stone. A well-cut diamond sparkles more than a poorly cut one, regardless of the other grades.
Color. Grades run from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). For most settings, G or H gives you a white-looking diamond without paying for top-tier grades.
Clarity. VS1 and VS2 grades are typically eye-clean and offer the best value. You won’t see inclusions without magnification.
Carat. This is weight, not size. A well-cut smaller diamond can look bigger than a poorly cut larger one.
Don’t overthink it. Come in, and we’ll show you stones in your budget so you can see the differences in person.
Use Lab Diamonds in Custom Jewelry
Many clients choose a lab-grown diamond first, then design a custom engagement ring or jewelry piece around it.
This approach gives you two advantages. First, you get a stone you actually love instead of one that came pre-set. Second, the money you save by choosing lab-grown can go into a better setting, higher-quality metal, or added detail work. Our custom design process starts with a free consultation, includes a CAD preview, and usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish.
Use Lab Diamonds in Custom Jewelry
Many clients choose a lab-grown diamond first, then design a custom engagement ring or jewelry piece around it.
This approach gives you two advantages. First, you get a stone you actually love instead of one that came pre-set. Second, the money you save by choosing lab-grown can go into a better setting, higher-quality metal, or added detail work. Our custom design process starts with a free consultation, includes a CAD preview, and usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish.
Lab-Grown Diamond Pricing Guide
Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30 to 50 percent less than natural diamonds, depending on size and quality. Here’s what you can expect at Regal Studio:
- 1 carat, VS clarity, G color – Starting around $1,200 to $2,000 for the stone alone
- 1.5 carat, VS clarity, G color – Starting around $2,000 to $3,500
- 2 carat, VS clarity, G color – Starting around $3,500 to $6,000
- 3 carat+ – Starting around $7,000 and up, depending on specs
Setting costs are separate and depend on the style, metal, and any additional stones. During your consultation, we’ll give you exact pricing based on what you’re looking for.
Why Buy Lab Diamonds from Regal Studio
- Expert consultation. Mack has over 45 years of experience selecting diamonds. You get his honest opinion, not a sales pitch.
- Custom design support. Every lab diamond we sell can be paired with a custom-designed setting built in-house.
- High-quality sourcing. We only stock lab diamonds from reputable growers. Certification available on request.
- Local Atlanta showroom. Visit us in Buckhead to see lab and natural diamonds side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds real? Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are 100 percent real diamonds. They have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as natural diamonds. The Federal Trade Commission officially recognizes them as diamonds.
Do they last forever? Yes. Lab diamonds rate 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the same as natural diamonds. With normal care, they’ll last generations.
Can you tell the difference? Not with the naked eye, and not with a standard jeweler’s loupe. Specialized equipment is required to identify a lab diamond, and even then it requires a trained gemologist.
Are they cheaper? Yes. Typically 30 to 60 percent less than a natural diamond of the same size and quality. That’s the main reason clients choose them.
Are they good for engagement rings? Yes. Lab diamonds are an excellent choice for engagement rings. They offer the same beauty and durability as natural diamonds, which means they’ll hold up to daily wear for a lifetime. Many of our custom engagement ring clients choose lab-grown for the added size or quality they can get within budget.
Not sure if lab-grown diamonds are right for you?
We’ll walk you through your options and help you design the perfect piece.