The idea behind lab grown diamond earrings is pretty simple. You take a diamond seed, grow it until it reaches gem quality, then cut and polish it into jewelry pieces like earrings or necklaces. Lab-grown diamonds aren’t exactly new — jewelers have been using them for decades — but in recent years, they’ve begun to receive more attention as more manufacturers enter the market and as consumers begin to ask for more information about their jewelry products. Here’s what you need to know about lab-grown diamonds so you can make an informed decision next time you’re shopping for jewelry.

lab grown diamond jewelry are popularly known as synthetic diamonds, cultured diamonds or real diamonds. There is some confusion regarding whether lab grown diamond jewelry is real or not. The term, synthetic, may lead people to believe that lab-grown stones are somehow inferior to mined stones, but all natural and man-made gems are actually forms of synthetic minerals (although few laymen know that). Lab-grown diamonds have chemical compositions identical to those found in natural mined stones.

Many people are interested in buying lab grown diamonds because they cost less than traditional mined diamonds. But, how can you make sure you're buying a quality piece of jewelry that looks and feels like a real diamond? For example, not all lab grown diamond engagement rings have a perfect color and it is important to look for an IGI or EGL certificate on your diamond earrings or necklace. Here are some things to know before buying lab-grown diamond jewelry.