The Glitterati Guru Answers Your Questions On Lab-Grown Diamonds
Watch and jewellery expert Misha Daud is our sparkle-centric agony aunt answering all your questions on the controversy surrounding lab-grown diamonds
It is my mission at @watch_fashionista to build an incredible community where we appreciate detail, and have an in-depth understanding of why certain pieces cost what they cost. No holds barred. So – you’ve been asking me about lab-grown diamonds for a while now, but as I’ve never gone down that road myself, it’s a topic that needed me to do a deep dive. And my topline conclusion? Never say never. It’s a conversation that I feel will continue for years to come, but for me, lab-grown diamonds are not the future at the expense of the past. They are an expansion of who gets to participate in beauty, in the joy of opening a box and believing – for a moment – that you are exactly who, and where, you are supposed to be. Light doesn’t apologise for how it enters a room. Neither should you.
Do lab-grown diamonds look fake because they are so perfect? Like flawless diamonds?
Ice, Ice Lady, 45, Dubai
I think people assume lab-gown diamonds are too perfect, because they started out like that, but that’s not the case today. They have evolved to mirror the specifications of any diamond you want, with the same little imperfections. You can select any grade of clarity and colour – they aren’t all glaringly D-colour white. They’re no longer “fake” diamonds, they’re just different origin diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are being promoted as the more ethical and environmentally friendly option. Is this true?
Chasing Carats, 36, Abu Dhabi
Lab-grown diamonds are often positioned as the “ethical” choice, but the truth is never black and white. Yes, they remove the need for mining, which for many feels like a cleaner option. But they are still produced using significant energy, and not all of that energy is as “green” as we’re led to believe. On the other hand, natural diamonds, when sourced responsibly support entire communities, livelihoods, and economies. So, like most things in life, it’s not as simple as one being “good” and the other “bad.” It’s about sourcing, transparency, and your personal stance on what is acceptable to you.
How fast do lab-grown diamonds lose value? Are they more of a playful purchase versus a longer term investment?
Diamond Darling, 28, Ajman
Many may not like my honesty here. Lab grown diamonds are not, and have never been, an investment piece. Their prices have already shown how rapidly they can plummet as production increases. But, not everything we buy needs to appreciate in value to be worth it. A natural diamond carries rarity and history that the market continues to recognise. Lab grown stones will never replace that.
Should I feel embarrassed wearing a lab-grown diamond?
Ice Queen, 32, Abu Dhabi
I understand why you might feel that way. The jewellery world can be very traditional, and sometimes quick to judge anything that feels new or different. That doesn’t mean those opinions should define how you feel when you wear something. There is nothing embarrassing about choosing something because you love it, or because it works for you. Embarrassment only comes when we feel we need approval, and you don’t need anyone’s.
What is the long-term outlook for lab-grown diamonds?
Ring Leader, 25, Dubai
I don’t believe lab-grown diamonds will become like cubic zirconia because, as I’ve been assured by some of the best in the industry, they are chemically and visually identical to natural diamonds. However, they will sit in a very different market category to natural stones. Natural diamonds are finite. Their rarity is what gives them their emotional and financial weight. Lab-grown diamonds can be produced, refined and scaled – and in luxury, rarity matters. So, if I were to predict the future, I see them coexisting: two very different stories, neither replacing the other.
Is buying a lab-grown diamond admitting I can’t afford the real thing?
Fluent in Facets, 45, Sharjah
Wearing lab-grown or natural diamonds isn’t an admission of anything. It’s a choice, and choices don’t need to be justified to anyone. What you buy shouldn’t say anything about your worth. Remember – the moment your choices become driven by what others think, that’s when they stop being your choices.
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From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia June 2026 issue