Why Synthetic Diamond is an Incorrect Term for Laboratory Created Diamonds

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.

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. 

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).

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.

As clearly evident from Google Search Trends, there has been a shift from 'Synthetic' to 'Lab' Diamonds over the last decade.