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Lab grown diamonds have changed what is possible when buying fine jewellery in New Zealand. For the first time, couples can choose a larger stone, a higher grade, or a more elaborate setting — without stretching the budget to its limit. At TJ Diamond, we have embraced lab grown diamonds from the beginning, not as a trend, but because they represent the most honest, transparent way to buy a real diamond ring.
Every lab grown diamond ring in our collection is handcrafted in our Auckland studio by master jewellers. We are New Zealand's only direct-to-consumer fine jewellery manufacturer — which means the jeweller who cuts and sets your stone is the same person you can speak to before, during, and after your purchase. No retail intermediaries, no imported mass-produced settings, no mystery about where your ring came from.
A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. It has the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and the same optical brilliance as a diamond mined from the earth. The only difference is how it was formed.
Lab grown diamonds are created using two scientifically advanced processes. High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) replicates the intense conditions found deep in the earth's mantle — extreme heat and pressure cause carbon to crystallise into a diamond. Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) introduces carbon-rich gases into a sealed chamber, where carbon atoms deposit layer by layer onto a seed crystal, growing a diamond over several weeks. Both methods produce stones that are certified by the same independent laboratories — IGI and GIA — using the same 4C grading criteria: cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.
A trained gemologist cannot distinguish a lab grown diamond from a mined diamond without specialist equipment. The stones look identical, feel identical, and perform identically.
The practical case for lab grown diamonds is straightforward: you receive 30–50% more diamond for the same budget compared to an equivalent mined stone. A 1.5-carat lab grown round brilliant in platinum ring that would cost $15,000–$20,000 at a traditional jeweller is available from TJ Diamond at a fraction of that price — because we manufacture direct and carry no retail overhead.
The ethical case is equally compelling. Diamond mining involves large-scale excavation, significant carbon emissions, and well-documented environmental disruption. Lab grown diamonds are produced in controlled facilities with a dramatically lower environmental footprint. Every diamond we supply is independently certified, and we provide full documentation of its origin and grade with every purchase.
Our lab grown diamond collection covers every engagement ring style and diamond shape available in the market:
Shapes: round brilliant, oval, pear, emerald cut, cushion, marquise, radiant, princess, asscher, heart
Settings: solitaire, halo, bezel, split-shank, three-stone (trilogy), pavé, east-west
Metals: platinum, 18ct yellow gold, 18ct white gold, 18ct rose gold
Starting from: $1,723 NZD ready-to-order, or $999 NZD for a custom 0.5ct solitaire — filters above let you sort by price, shape, metal, and setting
Every ring in this collection can be ordered as shown or customised — different metal, different carat weight, different setting. If you have a design in mind that you cannot find here, our bespoke service can build it from scratch.
Most lab grown diamond retailers in New Zealand source their rings from overseas or from centralised manufacturing hubs in Australia or the UK. TJ Diamond is different: our rings are designed and made in Auckland, New Zealand. You can visit our studio before committing to a purchase. You can see your ring in person before the final payment is due. You can return after your purchase for resizing, cleaning, or any adjustment — handled by the same jeweller who made your ring.
This is what direct-to-consumer fine jewellery looks like in practice: transparent pricing, honest sourcing, local craftsmanship, and a lifetime relationship with the people who created your ring.
Book a complimentary consultation at our Auckland studio to view lab grown diamond shapes and settings in person, compare stones side by side, and speak directly with your jeweller. We also offer virtual consultations for couples based outside Auckland. Browse the collection above, save the designs you love, and bring them to your appointment.
Lab grown diamonds NZ — made the honest way, in Auckland.
You don’t need to know anything about diamonds to choose the right ring. Tell us what you know—even if that’s very little—and we’ll make the next step simple.
Most people begin unsure about budget, diamond quality, style or ring size. That’s completely normal. Our short finder turns what you know into a useful starting point—without pressure, jargon or dozens of confusing decisions.
There are no wrong answers. Choose “I’m not sure” whenever you need to.
We design, cast, set, polish and quality-check our jewellery in-house, without traditional retail middlemen.
Choose independently certified lab-grown or natural diamonds, with clear guidance on what genuinely affects beauty and value.
Your ring is handcrafted by our own team, giving you a direct relationship with the people who make it.
Every ring is backed by our lifetime manufacturing guarantee and complimentary lifetime care.
You can visit us with a clear idea, a saved photo, or no idea at all. We’ll explain your options plainly, work within your budget and help you choose without pressure.
Yes — absolutely. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds in every scientific sense. They share the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same optical properties, and the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) as mined diamonds. The only difference is origin: a lab grown diamond is created in a controlled environment rather than extracted from the earth. Independent gemological laboratories such as IGI and GIA certify lab grown diamonds using the exact same grading criteria as natural diamonds — cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.
Lab grown diamonds are produced using two main methods. The first is High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), which mimics the intense pressure and heat conditions deep inside the earth. A carbon seed is placed under extreme pressure (around 1.5 million PSI) and high temperature (about 1,400°C) until the carbon crystallises into a diamond. The second method is Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD), where a carbon-rich gas is introduced into a sealed chamber and carbon atoms layer onto a diamond seed plate, growing the diamond atom by atom over several weeks. Both methods produce genuine diamonds that are chemically and optically identical to mined stones.
Lab grown diamonds are typically 30–50% more affordable than equivalent mined diamonds — meaning you can achieve a significantly larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget. At TJ Diamond, ready-to-order lab grown diamond rings start from $1,723 NZD, and a custom 0.5ct solitaire starts from $999 NZD. Because we manufacture directly in our Auckland studio with no retail markup or intermediaries, we pass those savings on to you. A 1-carat lab grown diamond set in platinum that might cost $8,000–$12,000 at a traditional jeweller can be substantially less through TJ Diamond.
Not with the naked eye — and not with standard jeweller's tools. Lab grown diamonds are visually identical to mined diamonds. Even trained gemologists cannot distinguish between the two without specialised equipment. Both types are graded using the same 4Cs framework and both display the same fire, brilliance, and scintillation. A lab grown diamond's certificate will state its origin, but the stone itself looks, feels, and performs exactly the same as a mined diamond of equivalent grade.
Lab grown diamonds are a significantly more environmentally responsible choice than mined diamonds. Diamond mining involves large-scale excavation, displaces ecosystems, and consumes substantial fossil fuels — research has estimated that mined diamonds generate around 57kg of carbon per carat. Lab grown diamonds are produced in controlled facilities with a fraction of that environmental impact. At TJ Diamond, all our lab grown stones are independently certified and sourced from producers committed to responsible energy use. For couples who value sustainability alongside brilliance, lab grown diamonds are the clear choice.
Like any fine jewellery, diamond rings are primarily purchased for their sentimental and aesthetic value rather than as financial investments. Lab grown diamond prices have decreased as production technology has improved, which means their resale value follows a similar pattern to mined diamonds — both decline relative to retail price over time. What lab grown diamonds offer is exceptional quality for your budget at the point of purchase. If long-term resale value is a priority, we recommend discussing your specific goals with our jewellers during your consultation.
Every lab grown diamond sold by TJ Diamond comes with a certificate from either the International Gemological Institute (IGI) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — the two most trusted grading laboratories in the world. Your certificate details the diamond's exact cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, confirming it is a genuine lab grown diamond and giving you complete transparency and confidence in your purchase. We will always provide the original certificate with your ring.
Yes — and this is where lab grown diamonds shine brightest. Because lab grown diamonds are more affordable than equivalent mined stones, your budget goes further when designing a bespoke ring. You can choose a larger carat weight, a higher colour grade, or a more complex setting without overspending. Our Auckland jewellers work with lab grown diamonds across all shapes — round brilliant, oval, pear, emerald cut, cushion, marquise, radiant, princess, asscher, and heart — in platinum, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Book a consultation to begin your design.
We offer lab grown diamonds in all major shapes: round brilliant, oval, pear, emerald cut, cushion, marquise, radiant, princess, asscher, and heart. Each shape has a distinct personality — oval and pear cuts appear larger on the finger for their carat weight, emerald cuts offer a clean architectural elegance, round brilliants deliver maximum sparkle, and cushion cuts combine a soft silhouette with fiery brilliance. Browse our collection above to filter by shape, or book a consultation to compare stones in person at our Auckland studio.
Ready-to-order designs from our collection are typically completed and ready for collection or delivery within 3–5 weeks. Fully custom bespoke rings — where you select the specific lab grown diamond, setting design, metal, and all details from scratch — generally take 4–6 weeks from design sign-off. We will keep you updated throughout the process. For proposals with a specific date in mind, we recommend booking a consultation at least 6 weeks in advance to allow for design refinement and any adjustments before your ring is completed.
