Why Synthetic Diamond is an Incorrect Term for Laboratory Created Diamonds
Are lab grown diamonds synthetic?
While synthetic diamond may be a term used for a laboratory-grown diamond, synthetic diamond is not a scientifically accurate term for lab created diamonds, as there is no synthesis required to grow a diamond in a laboratory. Diamonds are merely a form of carbon, not a complex molecule synthesized from multiple precursor elements.
Just as synthetic oxygen, synthetic gold, and synthetic carbon are scientifically inaccurate terms, synthetic diamond is a scientifically incorrect term.
What does the FTC say?
The latest 2018 guidelines for lab created diamonds states the following: “The record indicates many consumers mistakenly believe “synthetic” means an artificial product such as cubic zirconia, which lacks a diamond’s optical, physical, and chemical properties. Given the likelihood of consumer confusion, the final Guides do not include “synthetic” among the examples of terms that marketers may non-deceptively use to qualify claims about man-made diamonds, thus eliminating the contradiction. If a marketer uses “synthetic” to imply that a competitor’s lab-grown diamond is not an actual diamond, however, this would be deceptive.”
Hence, when you see the word “synthetic” used by a a mined diamond company with the intention to disparage lab diamonds, they are likely in violation of federal rules.
Why Synthesizing a Diamond is Not Possible
Synthesis is the execution of chemical reactions to form a more complex molecule from multiple chemical precursors.
According to Merriam-Webster, the growth of diamonds in a laboratory is not synthetic, as a grown diamond is not a complex molecule, nor does it require multiple chemical precursors to create a diamond. From a scientific standpoint, growing a diamond is merely changing one form of carbon (graphite) into another form of carbon (diamond).
Yet Synthesizing Sapphires & Rubies is Possible
Diamond is unique in that it is the only gemstone that is not made of complex molecules. Therefore, a lab grown diamond cannot be synthetic; however, a lab grown ruby, sapphire, or emerald, could be considered synthetic as it is synthesized in a laboratory from multiple chemical precursors.
| Gemstone & Chemical Formula |
Number of Elements |
Atoms per Molecule |
| Diamond C |
1 | N/A |
| Sapphire Al2O3 |
2 | 5 |
| Emerald Be3Al2(SiO3)6 |
4 | 29 |
| Alexandrite Al2BeO4 |
3 | 7 |
| Topaz Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 |
5 | 13 |
| Turquoise Al6(PO4)4(OH)84H2O |
4 | 46 |
The Fall of the Term 'Synthetic' & the Rise of 'Lab Diamonds'
As clearly evident from Google Search Trends, there has been a shift from 'Synthetic' to 'Lab' Diamonds over the last decade.