GIA-Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds (Everything To Know)
Lab-grown diamonds are having a major moment right now — and for good reason. Not only are lab diamonds notably more affordable than mined diamonds, but they’re also just as “real.” While lab diamonds are created in special, man-made conditions, they still have the exact same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds — which is why here at Jean Dousset, all of our handcrafted engagement rings feature high-quality lab diamond center stones. (So you don’t have to sacrifice quality or size to get the luxurious ring of your dreams.)
Still, as with mined diamonds, not all diamonds that are lab-grown are equal. From the technology used to create the diamond to the diamond’s cut and polishing, numerous factors must be considered when assessing a lab diamond’s quality — and Jean Dousset’s team of experts takes this assessment process very seriously. Every Jean Dousset lab diamond is made with the best technology on the market and hand-selected for the stone’s beauty and cut. Basically, the lab diamond you select for your sparkling design is the crème de la crème of diamonds — period. So what could possibly be the cherry on top of diamonds that are already optimal, beautiful, and exquisitely cut? A stamp of approval from the world’s foremost authority in diamond certification: the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Our collection exclusively features GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds, ensuring that all of our lab diamonds are verifiably high-quality. Keep reading to learn more about why we love GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds.
What does “GIA-certified” really mean?
If you’ve been on your engagement ring hunt for a while now, you’ve probably heard the phrase “GIA-certified” quite a bit already — especially if you’ve been eyeing mined diamonds. But, as a refresher, GIA-certified diamonds are diamonds that have been evaluated by the GIA per the organization’s tried-and-true International Diamond Grading System, which is the only worldwide standard for appraising diamond quality. Through this process, diamonds are assigned a grade for each of their 4Cs — aka cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.
Yet, even though GIA’s trusted, world-class grading system has been utilized for over 80 years now, it wasn’t until 2007 that the institute began grading lab-grown diamonds. And while today it’s easier than ever for consumers to find a gorgeous, high-quality diamond, very few jewelry brands offering lab diamonds go the extra mile to make sure that all of their lab-grown diamonds are graded and certified by GIA. Enter: Jean Dousset engagement rings, which exclusively feature GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds. Because a top-tier bride-to-be deserves a top-tier diamond, and at Jean Dousset, we believe a lab-grown diamond should be held to the same quality standards as a mined diamond.
Discover Jean Dousset's lab diamond collection.
Why does GIA grade lab-grown diamonds?
Since lab-grown diamonds have a different origin than mined diamonds, you might be wondering what criteria a lab diamond must meet to become GIA-certified, and you may even be asking yourself why a lab diamond should be certified in the first place. Well, the truth is that a lab diamond doesn’t have to be GIA-certified; in fact, many lab-grown diamonds on the market aren’t. (Scary, right?) There are a variety of “reports” with which a lab diamond can be graded. But facts are facts: GIA’s grading system is the worldwide standard, and the report that comes with a GIA-certified lab diamond represents the highest measure of reliability, consistency, and integrity.
Most importantly, lab-grown diamonds graded by GIA are, quite literally, held to a higher standard than those assessed by other entities. No other grading report in the industry notes whether or not a lab-grown diamond has been artificially treated post-growth (a lower-cost “enhancement” process that affects the chemical properties of a diamond, its 4Cs, and thus, its value). Thus, the GIA-certified lab-grown diamond you choose to invest in is guaranteed to be as physically and optically outstanding as the mined diamonds Mother Earth has to offer.
Why are GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds important?
Here at Jean Dousset, we believe in quality over everything, and that obsession remains steady, no matter if we’re helping you find the perfect lab-grown diamond engagement ring or personalizing a design from our lab diamond eternity bands collection.
But we also understand that it’s easy to feel like some concepts — say, accessible lab-grown diamonds that are just as luxurious and brilliant as their pricier, mined counterparts — can sound too good to be true. That’s why we consider GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds to be so indispensable. Regardless of our customers’ unique budgets or personal styles, Jean Dousset is all about giving everyone the opportunity to buy the engagement ring they want, without sacrificing paramount qualities like craftsmanship, value, size, and, of course, beauty. Lab diamonds are equally as remarkable creations as mined diamonds — and as such, we believe that an internationally recognized diamond certification should serve as a standard of excellence in the budding lab-grown space, too.
FAQ’s:
1. What does GIA-certified mean for a lab-grown diamond?
“GIA certified” commonly means that a lab-grown diamond has been independently evaluated by the Gemological Institute of America and is accompanied by a GIA report or quality assessment. Depending on when it was evaluated, the document may record its 4Cs or classify its overall quality as Premium or Standard based on factors including color, clarity, and cut.
2. What is the GIA Diamond Grading Report for lab-grown diamonds?
A GIA report provides an independent evaluation of a lab-grown diamond. Reports issued before October 1, 2025, may document the diamond’s 4Cs, measurements, fluorescence, and clarity characteristics. Under GIA’s current system, qualifying colorless-to-near-colorless lab-grown diamonds receive a quality assessment classifying them as Premium or Standard based on color, clarity, cut, polish, and symmetry.
3.Can a gemologist tell the difference between a lab-grown and mined diamond?
Lab-grown and mined diamonds share the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties, so their origin typically cannot be determined with a standard loupe alone. Specialized gemological equipment can identify growth characteristics that distinguish a lab-grown diamond. Its grading report and laser inscription may also clearly indicate its laboratory-grown origin.
4. What do the 4Cs mean for a lab-grown diamond?
The 4Cs describe a diamond’s cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Cut relates to its proportions and interaction with light. Color measures the presence or absence of color. Clarity considers internal and external characteristics, and carat measures weight.
5. Are Jean Dousset's lab-grown diamonds all GIA certified?
Jean Dousset's lab-grown diamonds will carry either a GIA report or a JD certificate. Every diamond is evaluated according to Jean Dousset’s exacting standards, with only the top 0.1% meeting our selection criteria. Certification details are available to review before purchase.
6. How do I verify the GIA certificate of a diamond?
To verify a GIA report, enter the diamond’s report number through GIA Report Check. JD-certified diamonds can also be viewed through our Report Check page. Our Diamond Specialists can review the report details with you during a virtual or in-person appointment.
7. What are HPHT and CVD lab-grown diamonds?
HPHT and CVD are the two primary methods used to create lab-grown diamonds. High Pressure High Temperature recreates the intense heat and pressure under which diamonds form, while Chemical Vapor Deposition grows a diamond crystal from carbon-rich gas. Both methods produce real diamonds with the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties as mined diamonds. Neither method is inherently superior; a diamond’s quality depends on the individual stone rather than how it was grown.
8. Do lab-grown diamonds retain their value over time?
Like most fine jewelry, lab-grown diamond jewelry is best chosen for its design, craftsmanship, and personal significance rather than as a financial investment.
9. Can I request a specific cut grade when ordering?
Our experts hand-select the top 0.1% of lab diamonds for their unique beauty and make. You can explore available diamonds and their grading details on our virtual diamond feed, or work with a Diamond Specialist during a virtual or in-person appointment to find the right diamond for your preferences.
