Learn
How durable a lab-grown stone is, and how to look after it
A lab-grown diamond is exactly as hard and as durable as a mined one — care is the same, too.
Hardness is a property of the crystal itself, not of how it formed. A lab-grown diamond sits at the same point on the Mohs scale as a mined diamond, because it's the same crystal structure — which means it takes everyday wear, and the occasional knock, the same way.
Coloured gemstones vary depending on the gemstone – sapphire wears very well day to day; emerald, like its mined counterpart, is a little more prone to chipping at the edges and is better suited to occasional wear or a protective setting.
For any piece: clean with warm water and a soft brush, dry it before putting it away, and store pieces separately so they don't rub against each other. Take rings off before doing anything that could bump or scratch your jewellery – gardening, gym work, heavy cleaning.
Theo Lindqvist
Writes about stones, for Aurea
Theo answers the questions people ask before they buy — about origin, certification, and what a stone actually is. He'd rather a piece read plainly than impressively.
A lab-grown stone holds the same certified grading as a mined one — how that translates to resale is still a developing, less established market than for mined stones.
Lab-Grown vs. Cubic Zirconia: Why They're Not the Same Thing
Lab-grown diamonds and cubic zirconia are not the same. Same carbon, same hardness \u2014 the real difference, explained calmly by Aurea.
How to Buy Fine Jewellery Online with Confidence
A calm, practical guide to buying fine jewellery online: certification, return terms, secure checkout, and real jeweller support, before you order.