Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds - they ARE real diamonds.
Both are pure carbon crystals with identical hardness (10 Mohs), refractive index (2.42), and brilliance. The only difference is origin: natural forms over billions of years underground; lab-grown is created in weeks via HPHT or CVD methods.
Usually not with the naked eye. Specialized equipment can detect nitrogen differences. Many are laser-inscribed with a report number.
1ct natural: $4,000-$10,000. 1ct lab-grown: $1,000-$2,500.
Lab-grown has poor resale (10-20% of purchase), natural retains 40-60%.
We got a 1.8ct lab-grown D/VVS1 for under $4,000. A natural equivalent would be $20,000+. No one questions if it is real because it IS one. We used savings for our honeymoon.