What are lab grown gemstones?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Lab grown gemstones are real gems produced in laboratory conditions using processes that replicate the chemical and physical environment in which natural stones form underground. The result is a stone that is chemically, physically and optically identical to its mined counterpart, just created in weeks rather than millions of years. Compared to mined stones, lab grown gems tend to have fewer inclusions, more consistent colour and a significantly lower price, and their production avoids many of the environmental and ethical concerns tied to gemstone mining.
Frequently asked questions
- Are lab grown gemstones real?
- Yes, they are real gems. A lab grown sapphire is genuine corundum, a lab grown emerald is genuine beryl, and so on. What makes them lab grown is how they were formed, not what they are made of.
- Are lab grown gemstones more ethical than mined ones?
- Generally speaking, yes. Lab production avoids the land disturbance, water use and labour concerns associated with mining, though manufacturing does consume energy. Many jewellers choose lab stones specifically because the supply chain is easier to verify.
- Do lab grown gemstones hold their value?
- As with lab diamonds, prices have fallen as production has scaled, so lab gems are not strong investment pieces. The value is in wearing a beautiful, responsibly produced stone at an accessible price rather than in resale.
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