Laboratory-grown diamonds: how they should be named

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change our guidance. Affiliate Disclosure

A diamond either way

In its 2018 notice, the FTC said "lab-created products that have essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds are also diamonds." We write "mined diamond" and "laboratory-grown diamond".

The words before "diamond"

The FTC says a seller of laboratory-created diamonds should describe them as "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created," "[manufacturer name]-created," or some other word or phrase of like meaning, immediately before the word "diamond" and equally conspicuous.

Same properties

The FTC says those terms should be used only for a product with essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as a mined diamond.

"Cultured"

Section 23.12(c)(3) says "cultured" may describe a laboratory-created diamond only with a clear and conspicuous disclosure, such as "laboratory-created" or "laboratory-grown", that it is not a mined stone.

"Faux" is not enough

A note to section 23.25(b) says "faux" is not an adequate disclosure that a stone is not mined.

Words the Guides bar

Section 23.27 lists words, including "precious" and "semi-precious", that should not describe any product that is manufactured or produced artificially. Read a listing's words with that in mind.

Ask and read

Before you buy, read whether the seller says a stone is mined or laboratory-grown, and check any grading report with the lab that issued it.

Sources: eCFR, 16 CFR Part 23, Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries; FTC, In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls; Federal Register, Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries, 83 FR 40665 (Aug. 16, 2018).

Related guides