Why I Sell Lab Diamonds
(And Why You Should Buy Them)
Same IGI-certified stones as Brilliant Earth. Half the price.
From a Queens guy who sources direct.
The One Question That Matters
Do Lab Diamonds Pass Diamond Testers?
Yes. Every time. They pass because they ARE diamonds-same carbon structure, same hardness, same everything. Your jeweler can't tell the difference without sending it to a lab.
What's Actually Different?
Natural vs Lab: The Real Comparison
| Natural Diamond | Lab Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Pure carbon | Pure carbon |
| Hardness | 10/10 (Mohs) | 10/10 (Mohs) |
| Passes Tester | Yes | Yes |
| Formation Time | 3 billion years | 2–4 weeks |
| Price (1ct, VS1, F) | $8,500 | $1,200 |
| Resale Value | Poor | Poor |
| IGI Certification | Yes | Yes |
The only difference is origin story. Same stone, different timeline. You decide what matters.
50% Below Retail. Here's Why.
You're paying for the stone, the cert, and shipping. That's it.
Same Certification. Half The Price.
Brilliant Earth vs Wolfe Gemz - Identical stones, very different pricing.
Compare lab diamond prices to traditional retail pricing:
1 Carat Round
- 1.00 carat Round Brilliant
- D Color (colorless)
- VVS1 Clarity
- Excellent Cut
- IGI Certified
2 Carat Cushion
- 2.00 carat Cushion Cut
- F Color (colorless)
- VS2 Clarity
- Excellent Cut
- IGI Certified
3 Carat Emerald
- 3.00 carat Emerald Cut
- G Color (near colorless)
- VS1 Clarity
- Excellent Cut
- IGI Certified
Same stones. Same IGI certification. The difference is markup. Check IGI.org yourself-the cert numbers don't lie.
Common Questions
Two methods: HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). HPHT mimics natural
formation-extreme pressure and heat on carbon. CVD uses a diamond seed in a chamber with carbon-rich gas.
Both create real diamonds. Timeline is weeks instead of billions of years.
Not without specialized equipment. Jewelers can’t tell just by looking at it.
Real talk: all diamonds have terrible resale value. Natural or lab. You'll get 30-50% of what you paid. Buy what you'll
wear and love, not an investment.
No. Diamonds are pure carbon in crystalline form-one of the most stable materials on earth. They don't change
color whether lab or natural.
Profit margins on natural diamonds are higher. Some have natural inventory to move. Others stuck in "that's how
we've always done it." The industry is shifting.
Every Stone Gets IGI Certification
IGI (International Gemological Institute) grades each stone using the same standards as natural diamonds.
What's on your certificate:
- Unique report number (verify at IGI.org)
- Exact measurements and carat weight
- Cut, color, clarity grades
- Fluorescence rating
- Security features
Every stone over 1ct comes with IGI certification. Pieces over $5K get full jewelry certification at no cost, upon request.
Anyone can claim their diamond is "VS1" or "D color." The IGI cert proves it.
