Lab Grown Diamonds Are Real Diamonds: The FTC Made It Official
Written by
Sue Kim,
founder of Haejin Jewelry in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
October 2025
Searching for lab-grown diamond engagement rings in Brooklyn? At Haejin Jewelry in Williamsburg, we craft custom lab-grown diamond rings and fine jewelry that align with the FTC’s definition of real diamonds, pairing modern science with Brooklyn artistry. Visit our studio at 123 Skillman Ave Suite STO, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211 or book an appointment to design a ring with integrity, transparency, and New York style.
Why couples choose us: Haejin Jewelry has become one of Brooklyn’s most trusted destinations for lab-grown diamond engagement rings, serving NYC locals and international visitors who want a studio rooted in honesty, sustainability, and woman-owned craftsmanship.
For decades, couples have wondered: Are lab-grown diamonds real? In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), America’s consumer-protection agency, answered with certainty. After reviewing its Jewelry Guides, the FTC removed the word “natural” from the legal definition of a diamond, declaring that lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds.
At Haejin Jewelry in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, we honor this truth every day by handcrafting lab-grown diamond engagement rings and fine jewelry that combine scientific integrity with Brooklyn artistry. This guide explains what the FTC ruling means, why it matters to New York couples, and how sustainable diamonds are redefining modern luxury.
Quick answer: Are lab grown diamonds real?
Yes. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), lab grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same carbon structure, brilliance and fire as mined stones. The only difference is origin.
For couples in Brooklyn and New York City, that means you can choose a lab grown diamond engagement ring with full confidence that it is a true diamond, not an imitation.
Jump to: What the FTC Decided · How Lab Diamonds Are Made · Ethical & Sustainable Beauty · Why It Matters for Jewelry Buyers · Top 5 Reasons the Ruling Matters · Haejin Jewelry’s Commitment · FAQ
- The FTC removed the word “natural” from the definition of a diamond, confirming that lab grown stones are legally recognized as real diamonds.
- Lab grown diamonds share the same optical, physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds, so you get true diamond brilliance and durability.
- Brooklyn and NYC couples can choose lab grown engagement rings that align with their ethics without sacrificing beauty, quality or meaning.
Who finds us in Brooklyn: Many of our clients visit from Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, Manhattan, and from cities around the world while they are in New York. They come to our quiet studio at 123 Skillman Ave STO to choose or design a lab-grown diamond engagement ring that feels honest, modern, and deeply personal.
The FTC’s Official Decision: Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Real
“A diamond is a mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system. These stones have essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Thus, they are diamonds.”
Federal Trade Commission, 2018 Jewelry Guides Revision
Before 2018, the jewelry trade limited “real” diamonds to those mined from the earth. The FTC’s clarification removed that bias, confirming that laboratory-grown diamonds share the same atomic structure, brilliance, and permanence as mined stones. It was a victory for truth, science, and conscious luxury.
Considering a lab-grown diamond in NYC? Explore our Brooklyn engagement rings or start a custom design with our studio.
For a calm, editorial roadmap to custom engagement rings NYC, read our Custom Engagement Rings NYC Guide.
The Science Behind Lab Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced methods that replicate the Earth’s natural process:
- HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature): replicates the deep-earth environment where natural diamonds form.
- CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): grows diamond crystals layer by layer in a controlled chamber.
The result is a diamond that is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined stone. Both are graded by world-renowned laboratories such as GIA, IGI, and GCAL, and both register as diamonds on professional testers.
For couples in Brooklyn and New York City, this means access to pure, brilliant diamonds that honor both artistry and ethics. Design your own with our Ring Builder, or browse fine jewelry made in Brooklyn.
Why this matters for Brooklyn couples: As one of the few woman-owned fine jewelry studios in Williamsburg dedicated to lab-grown diamonds, Haejin Jewelry helps New York couples understand the science behind every stone so their ring feels intelligent, ethical, and emotionally true.
Ethical and Sustainable Beauty
Traditional diamond mining often causes ecological harm and labor exploitation. Lab-grown diamonds change that narrative by offering responsible luxury, beauty without compromise.
At Haejin Jewelry’s Brooklyn studio, we use renewable-energy-grown diamonds and precious metals to minimize our footprint. Each piece is handcrafted locally at 123 Skillman Ave Suite STO, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211, ensuring transparency from creation to completion.
- No destructive mining or deforestation
- Reduced carbon emissions and water use
- Ethical labor and traceable sourcing
- Handcrafted artistry rooted in Williamsburg’s creative spirit
Curious about styles? See our anniversary and wedding bands or explore more guides in our Guides & Education library.
How Haejin Jewelry is different: Our Williamsburg studio works only with renewable-energy lab partners and certified recycled metals, so every engagement ring carries a verifiable story of sustainability that most big-box NYC jewelers cannot offer.
Why the FTC Ruling Matters for Jewelry Buyers
The 2018 FTC update reshaped global jewelry marketing. It empowered consumers to choose authentic, ethical diamonds, real gems aligned with conscience and clarity. For our New York clientele, that means:
- Confidence: Lab-grown diamonds are legally and scientifically recognized as real.
- Integrity: Every piece tells a transparent story of origin.
- Value: Comparable brilliance and durability at a more accessible price.
- Local trust: Crafted by hand in Williamsburg, not mass-produced overseas.
Ready to try on styles? Book a studio visit or customize your ring in our Ring Builder.
Brooklyn engagement ring buyer checklist:
- Confirm the diamond certificate, ideally GIA or IGI for clear grading.
- Ask whether the studio uses recycled gold or platinum for your setting.
- Compare lab-grown and mined diamond brilliance under real studio lighting.
- Review sustainability standards and how metals and stones are sourced.
- Check that your ring is crafted locally rather than mass-manufactured overseas.
- Understand resizing, warranty, and long term care options for your ring.
- Schedule an in person appointment with Haejin Jewelry in Williamsburg for sizing and final design clarity.
Visiting New York City? Design Your Ring During Your Trip
Many couples find Haejin Jewelry while visiting New York City for the first time. They spend the morning in DUMBO or along the Williamsburg waterfront, then visit our studio at 123 Skillman Ave to choose or design a lab-grown diamond engagement ring before a proposal in Central Park, Bow Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, or a favorite rooftop view.
If you are planning a destination engagement in NYC, our Brooklyn studio offers a calm, appointment based space where you can review diamonds, settings, and budgets without pressure. We help travelers understand timing, secure insured shipping, and coordinate visits around museum days, shows, and dinner reservations so the ring becomes part of their New York story.
For proposal inspiration around Brooklyn and Manhattan, explore our guide Proposal Planning Tips: Where Love Meets Brooklyn, then contact us to plan a visit during your trip.
Top 5 Reasons the FTC Ruling Matters for New York Couples
For couples navigating the vibrant New York jewelry landscape, the FTC ruling is more than a legal footnote. It is a turning point that clarifies what “real” means and gives you power, protection, and peace of mind as you choose the diamond that will represent your love story.
- Real means real, not mined. The FTC has affirmed that lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds, not imitations or simulants. This means you can choose a lab-grown diamond with full confidence that you are getting authentic brilliance, durability, and beauty, regardless of whether it came from a mine or a lab.
- You are protected from misleading claims. By removing the word “natural” from the legal definition of a diamond, the FTC has made it harder for deceptive marketing to blur the lines between mined and lab-grown stones. Jewelers must be clear and honest in how they describe diamonds, which protects you from paying a premium based on outdated language or misinformation.
- You can align your values with your jewelry. If you care about the environment, labor practices, or resource use, the FTC ruling supports your ability to choose ethically. It recognizes lab-grown diamonds as legitimate, so you can prioritize sustainability and transparency without sacrificing quality or romance.
- Your budget goes further without compromise. Because lab-grown diamonds typically offer more carat weight and higher clarity for the same budget, the FTC affirmation helps you feel secure in choosing them. You are not “settling”; you are selecting a fully real diamond that allows you to invest more in the details that matter, from larger carat sizes to more intricate settings.
- It validates a new era of modern luxury. The ruling signals a broader cultural shift: the most meaningful luxury is not about tradition at any cost, it is about thoughtful choices that reflect who you are. For New York couples rewriting the rules of love, the FTC’s stance affirms that lab-grown diamonds belong at the center of your story, not on the sidelines.
Trusted guidance in the most competitive jewelry city in the world: With deep experience in GIA and IGI grading, Haejin Jewelry gives Brooklyn buyers calm, honest education on lab-grown and mined diamonds, pricing, and long term value so they can choose with confidence instead of pressure.
Haejin Jewelry: Real Diamonds, Real Transparency
Haejin Jewelry is a woman-owned studio redefining luxury in Brooklyn. Our mission is simple: beauty should never come at the planet’s expense. Each engagement ring and wedding band is designed with precision and intention using lab-grown diamonds and ethical gold.
To understand our ethics, materials, and care promise in more depth, explore The Haejin Difference and read more about our woman-owned Brooklyn studio.
When you choose Haejin, you choose:
- Diamonds grown, not mined
- Transparent pricing and certified grading
- Lifetime care and sustainability
- Brooklyn craftsmanship with global ethics
We proudly serve couples from Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Downtown Brooklyn. Meet us at our studio on Skillman Ave, send us a message, or read reviews from Brooklyn and NYC couples who designed their rings with us.
The Future of Diamonds Is Transparent
“These stones have essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Thus, they are diamonds.”
Federal Trade Commission, 2018 Jewelry Guides Revision
At Haejin Jewelry, we live by that statement. Our creations reflect a new era where love, sustainability, and science coexist beautifully. Visit us at 123 Skillman Ave Suite STO, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211, browse our curated selection of lab-grown Brookly engagement rings, or create a custom ring from scratch with our designers.
Design an ethical lab grown diamond ring in Williamsburg.
If the FTC ruling helped you feel clear that lab grown diamonds are real, the next step is to see how they look on your hand. Visit our Brooklyn studio to design a ring that reflects your values and your everyday life.
FAQ: Lab-Grown Diamonds & the FTC Ruling
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. According to the FTC, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds. The only difference is origin.
What did the FTC decide about diamonds?
In 2018, the FTC removed “natural” from the definition of a diamond, confirming that both mined and lab-grown stones are genuine.
Are lab-grown diamonds more sustainable?
They avoid destructive mining, reduce water and carbon impact, and support transparent, ethical production.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold value?
They offer the same beauty and durability as mined diamonds and lasting ethical value. Choose them for integrity and brilliance.
