The Foriva Diamond Guide
Lab Grown Diamonds.
Brilliance, Reimagined.
Everything you need to know about the diamonds that are changing the future of fine jewellery — without changing an ounce of brilliance.
The Basics
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds — chemically, optically, and physically identical to those formed beneath the earth's surface. The only difference is their origin. Instead of being mined over millions of years, they're created in controlled laboratory environments using advanced technology that replicates nature's process.
They are not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. A lab grown diamond is pure crystallised carbon — with the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same fire, and the same brilliance as any mined stone. Even expert gemologists cannot distinguish between the two without specialised equipment.
The Science
How Lab Grown
Diamonds Are Created
Two methods produce gem-quality lab grown diamonds:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) — Mimics the natural conditions deep within the earth. A carbon seed is subjected to extreme pressure and heat, crystallising into a diamond over weeks.
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) — A diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is ionised, and carbon atoms deposit layer by layer onto the seed, growing a diamond atom by atom.
Both methods produce diamonds that are then cut, polished, and graded to the same exacting standards as mined diamonds — by the same independent laboratories.
Quality & Grading
Understanding the 4Cs
Cut
How well a diamond's facets interact with light. Cut determines the sparkle — from Excellent to Poor. It's the single most important factor in a diamond's beauty.
Clarity
Measures internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Most lab grown diamonds range from VS to VVS clarity — meaning imperfections are invisible to the naked eye.
Colour
Graded from D (colourless) to Z. The less colour, the rarer and more valuable. Lab grown diamonds consistently achieve D–G grades — the most desirable range.
Carat
A measure of weight, not size. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Lab grown diamonds offer exceptional value — allowing you to choose a larger stone without the premium.
The Comparison
Lab Grown vs Mined Diamonds
| Property | Lab Grown | Mined |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure carbon crystal | Pure carbon crystal |
| Hardness | 10 (Mohs scale) | 10 (Mohs scale) |
| Brilliance & Fire | Identical | Identical |
| Certification | IGI / GIA graded | IGI / GIA graded |
| Environmental Impact | Minimal — no mining | Significant — land, water, carbon |
| Ethical Sourcing | Fully traceable origin | Complex supply chains |
| Value | 30–50% more accessible | Carries mining premium |
"Same carbon. Same brilliance. Same fire.
A more intentional origin."
— The Foriva Perspective
Trust & Transparency
IGI Certified.
Every Single Diamond.
Every Foriva diamond comes with an independent certification from the International Gemological Institute (IGI) — the world's leading authority on lab grown diamond grading.
Your IGI certificate details the exact cut, clarity, colour, and carat weight of your diamond — so you know precisely what you're wearing. It's our commitment to complete transparency, from the laboratory to your jewellery box.
Independent third-party grading — not self-assessed
Laser-inscribed certificate number on every stone
Verifiable online — confirm your diamond's authenticity anytime
The Future of Fine Jewellery
Why Women Are Choosing
Lab Grown Diamonds
More Accessible
More brilliance for your budget — choose a larger, higher-quality stone at a fraction of the mined price.
Mining Required
No excavation, no displacement, no conflict. Created with intention and a fraction of the environmental impact.
Real Diamond
Same chemical composition, same optical properties, same hardness. Certified and graded by the same laboratories.
Now That You Know.
Experience the Brilliance.
Explore our collection of lab grown diamond jewellery — or design something uniquely yours.