Officially, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines a diamond as “A mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system” and whether a diamond is mined or created, both share this chemical composition. The difference and designation between lab-grown and mined diamonds lie in the way in which it is created. Titles like “lab-grown” and “mined” designate origin; while mined diamonds are extracted through complex pit, underground or alluvial methods and utilize heavy machinery and an extensive amount of labor, created diamonds are made by replicating the way diamonds are made in nature with no negative environmental or human toll.
The difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds could be compared to the difference between ice formed outside on a winter’s day versus ice that’s formed inside your refrigerator.