Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Have Inclusions?

The Anatomy of a Ring: Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Have Inclusions?

When you think of the perfect engagement ring, you likely imagine a sparkling diamond, clear and flawless, resting at the heart of a beautifully crafted band. But have you ever considered what’s happening beneath that surface? In this edition of our “Anatomy of a Ring” series, we’re diving deep—literally—into one of the most common questions we get at Wedding Band & Co. in Chicago:

Do lab-grown diamonds have inclusions?

To answer this, we need to explore the inner structure of a diamond, understand how clarity is formed, and why the source—lab vs. natural—can affect the presence of inclusions. Whether you're considering a custom engagement ring, a solitaire setting, or designing a bespoke wedding ring, understanding diamond inclusions is essential in making an informed and confident decision.

What Are Inclusions? The Inner Structure of a Diamond

Think of a diamond like a story told in carbon. Every facet, every sparkle, and every shadow tells us something about its journey. Inclusions are like birthmarks—tiny imperfections that appear during a diamond’s formation. They can include:

• Tiny crystals trapped inside the diamond
• Fractures or feathering
• Clouds or pinpoint groupings
• Needles or graining

In natural diamonds, which are formed over billions of years deep within the Earth, inclusions are expected. They’re part of what makes each diamond unique and often help gemologists verify a stone’s authenticity and origin.

Now let’s shift our lens to the lab-grown diamond—a modern marvel created through human innovation. Do they share these same characteristics?

Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds: Understanding the Formation

To understand why lab-grown diamonds may differ from natural ones in clarity, we need to look at how they're made.

Lab-grown diamonds are produced using one of two processes:

1. High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)

This mimics the natural formation process by using intense heat and pressure to create a diamond from a carbon seed.

2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

This method grows diamonds layer by layer using carbon-rich gas inside a vacuum chamber.

Both techniques result in a real diamond—not a simulation or a fake—but one formed over weeks instead of billions of years.

Because these processes occur in a controlled lab environment, lab-grown diamonds tend to have fewer inclusions. But let’s be clear: lab-grown does not mean flawless.

Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Have Inclusions? Yes—But Here’s the Catch

Lab-grown diamonds can and do have inclusions. However, they’re typically:

• Smaller
• Less visible to the naked eye
• More uniform and predictable

This is because the growth conditions are tightly controlled. In contrast, natural diamonds form in extreme, unpredictable environments, leading to more variation in clarity.

At Wedding Band & Co. in Chicago, we frequently show clients lab-grown diamonds with excellent clarity, often in the VS (Very Slightly Included) or even IF (Internally Flawless) range—something far more affordable than similarly graded natural diamonds.

Clarity in the Context of Ring Anatomy: Why It Matters

In the anatomy of a ring, the center stone is the focal point. The clarity of that stone directly affects how light passes through it—impacting sparkle, fire, and brilliance.

Here’s how clarity fits into the bigger picture:

• Solitaire Rings: With no side stones to distract, the eye focuses entirely on the center stone. A cleaner lab-grown diamond makes a stunning visual impact.
• Halo Settings: Smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone enhance brilliance. In this case, a slightly included center stone may still look flawless in context.
• Multi-Stone or Three-Stone Rings: Clarity still matters, but the overall sparkle from multiple stones can mask minor inclusions.

If you're designing a custom engagement ring in Chicago, you want to ensure every detail—from the diamond’s clarity to the metal band—works together in harmony. That’s where we come in.

The clarity of lab-grown diamonds comes with more budget-friendly prices.

The value proposition of lab-grown diamonds is particularly appealing to consumers because they offer superior clarity and colour with lower prices than natural diamonds.

Why?

• No mining, no middlemen
• Laboratory production methods enable mass manufacturing.
• Production expenses related to environmental and labor costs remain lower.

The affordable prices enable couples to get larger diamonds with better clarity and colour without spending more money. This price flexibility enables customers to explore additional customization options including secret halo designs and diamond-studded details and personal text engravings that stay within their spending limits.

Wedding Band & Co. assists numerous clients who allocate their saved diamond funds to enhance their customized jewelry designs.

The decision to choose lab-grown diamonds stems from both their beauty and ethical advantages which many Chicago clients value. It’s beauty with a conscience.

The process of selecting appropriate lab-grown diamonds requires working with local experts who understand your needs.

A trusted local jeweler plays an essential role when selecting between a perfect solitaire engagement ring and a customized wedding band. At Wedding Band & Co. we serve clients from Chicago's vibrant jewelry district by providing comprehensive support throughout your entire diamond purchasing journey.

• You need to know how to read diamond clarity grades (FL, IF, VVS, VS, SI, I).
• You can compare loose lab-grown diamonds to each other directly in our showroom.
• Our team will assist you in finding the perfect stone clarity that suits your preferred wedding band design.
• Our experts will help you discover innovative design possibilities for your engagement ring.

Inclusions form a part of a diamond but our clients recognize that they are only one element in the stone. Our main objective is to present the entire picture so you can select a stone that represents your love while matching your personal style and ethical principles.

Final Thoughts: The True Meaning of Clarity

Lab-grown diamonds naturally contain inclusions. Yes. Ring anatomy comprises several elements that determine exceptional quality but clarity represents just one aspect.

• The purchase of a lab-grown diamond brings multiple benefits including better clarity than natural stones which would be unaffordable.
• The path you select offers sustainability combined with ethical standards and reduced costs.
• You experience authentic diamond magnificence through the exact science and exact precision methods.

Are you prepared to design a ring which embodies your clarity?

Our team at Wedding Band & Co. offers custom jewelry creation services to help you express your individual story. Our Chicago-based workshop enables you to create both simple solitaire lab-grown diamond settings and complex designs that will become your dream wedding ring.

Schedule your complimentary consultation appointment for today

Experience the breathtaking clarity of lab-grown diamonds through our collection.

You can design a ring which represents your love's brilliance.

Book your personalized appointment now to create something extraordinary with us.

Visit us:

Wedding Band & Co.

43 E Oak St, Second Floor, Chicago, IL 60611

+13129200726

By: Koorosh Daneshgar CEO/Design Chief

We'll help you to design your dream engagement ring without stress and spending countless hours searching for your perfect ring. All you need to do is click on "Free Consultation" to get started.