Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Harmful to Wear?
Short answer: No. According to GIA, lab-grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds: the same crystallized carbon and the same 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. If a ring ever irritates your skin, the cause is almost always the metal, not the diamond.
What Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Actually Made Of
Lab-grown diamonds are grown from a diamond seed using one of two processes: HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). HPHT mimics the heat and pressure under which diamonds form underground, while CVD builds the crystal from a carbon-rich gas. The result is crystallized carbon, the same material as a mined diamond. The FTC and gemological labs like GIA recognize lab-grown diamonds as diamonds, not imitations. The main difference is origin.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Safe for Skin and Everyday Wear?
Yes. Here is why:
- Hypoallergenic by nature. Diamond is carbon, not a metal, so it is not the cause of nickel allergies. Jewelry metal is a common source of nickel, so if you have sensitive skin, check the metal of the setting. Browse our ring settings.
- Treatments are disclosed. Many lab-grown diamonds are treated after growth: GIA found that about 80% of CVD diamonds submitted since 2020 had post-growth processing, and pink CVD stones are usually colored by irradiation and annealing. Grading labs such as GIA note any post-growth treatment on the report, so you know exactly what you are buying.
- Extremely durable. Diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs scale and can only be scratched by another diamond, so everyday activities like typing or washing your hands will not scratch the stone.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: Any Safety Difference?
None. The material is essentially the same, so the safety profile is too. The only differences are origin (grown versus mined) and price, with CNBC reporting in 2025 that lab-grown diamonds can sell for around one-tenth the price of a comparable natural diamond. See our full lab-grown diamond price per carat guide for current numbers. Where people should pay attention is the metal band and prong setting, not the stone. Shop our lab-grown diamond engagement rings to see the full range.
Our Best-Selling Lab-Grown Diamond Rings
Considering a piece for daily wear? These are the styles our customers reach for most. Not sure which cut suits you best? See our guide to the most popular diamond shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to wear a lab-grown diamond every day?
No. Their hardness makes them one of the most durable stones for daily wear, including rings that see constant hand contact. Wondering specifically about the office? See our guide to wearing an engagement ring to work.
Can lab-grown diamonds cause a skin allergy?
The diamond itself, no. Reactions almost always trace back to the metal setting: DermNet notes white gold is usually alloyed with nickel. Choosing platinum or nickel-free gold avoids this. See our wedding bands, or read our gold vs. plated jewelry guide to understand what is actually in your setting.
Do lab-grown diamonds contain any harmful chemicals?
No. They are crystallized carbon, the same material as a mined diamond, whether grown by HPHT or CVD. Curious how that process actually works? See how lab-grown diamonds are made.
Are lab-grown diamonds radioactive?
Some colored lab-grown diamonds are irradiated and annealed after growth to create colors like pink. Any treatment is noted on the grading report, and you can ask us about any stone before you buy.
Is a lab-grown diamond considered a diamond?
Yes. The FTC recognizes lab-grown diamonds as diamonds, and GIA says they have essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as mined ones. The main difference is origin. Wondering what that means for cost? See our lab-grown diamond price guide.
Is moissanite safer or better to wear than a lab-grown diamond?
Neither is unsafe. Moissanite is a different mineral, silicon carbide rather than carbon, and it is also highly durable at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, just below diamond. The main differences are optical, since moissanite has more than twice the fire of diamond, and identity: moissanite is a diamond simulant, while a lab-grown diamond is a diamond. For the full comparison, read Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Moissanite.
Related Reading: Lab-Grown Diamond Pricing Trends
- How China's Demand Shift Crashed Lab-Grown Diamond Prices
- Lab-Grown Diamond Price Per Carat: New Year Edition
- What It Costs to Make a 2-Carat Lab-Grown Diamond
Shopping for a stone that is just as durable and a fraction of the cost? Shop Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings
Sources
- GIA: Is There a Difference Between Natural and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds?
- Britannica: Mohs hardness
- National Jeweler: 8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides, A Refresher
- GIA 4Cs: Laboratory-Grown Diamonds
- DermNet: Jewellery allergy
- GIA Gems & Gemology: Laboratory-Grown Diamonds, An Update on Identification and Products Evaluated at GIA
- GIA Gems & Gemology: Observations on CVD-Grown Synthetic Diamonds, A Review
- GIA: Diamond Description
- CNBC: More couples are choosing lab-grown diamonds over natural stones for engagement rings
- GIA: An Introduction to Simulants or Imitation Gem Materials
Shop Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry
Browse our most popular collections: 3 carat lab grown diamond rings, 2 carat lab grown diamond rings, 4 carat lab grown diamond rings, 5 carat lab grown diamond rings, lab grown diamond tennis bracelets, lab grown diamond stud earrings, lab grown diamond wedding bands, rose gold engagement rings, lab grown diamond engagement rings and lab grown diamond necklaces. Every piece is IGI certified and ships free to Canada and the United States.