If you’ve started shopping for diamond jewellery in Mangalore, you’ve probably noticed two very different price tags for what looks like the same ring. The difference is usually the diamond: mined or lab-grown. Here’s how lab-grown diamond pricing actually works, so you can walk into any showroom — ours included — and know exactly what you’re paying for.
What decides the price of a lab-grown diamond?
The same four things that decide the price of a mined diamond — the 4Cs.
Carat. Weight matters most. But unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown prices don’t explode as carat goes up, because larger stones aren’t rare in the same way. This is why a 1-carat lab-grown solitaire is within reach for many families for whom a mined one never was.
Cut. The only C determined by human skill, and the one that controls sparkle. Never compromise here — a well-cut smaller stone looks better than a poorly-cut bigger one.
Colour and Clarity. Graded on the same scale as mined diamonds (D–Z for colour, FL to I for clarity). Lab-grown stones make higher grades affordable — many of our customers choose E–F colour, VS clarity stones that would cost several times more if mined.
The gold is priced separately — and transparently
A finished piece has three components: the diamond, the gold, and making charges. The gold in our jewellery is BIS-hallmarked 14KT or 18KT, billed at the day’s gold rate — the same rate you’ll see displayed at the top of our website every day. Making charges cover the karigar’s work. Ask any jeweller to show you this break-up; if they won’t, walk out.
So how much cheaper is lab-grown?
For the same size and grade, a lab-grown diamond typically costs a fraction of a comparable mined stone — often 60–70% less. The stone itself is chemically and optically identical; the price difference comes from supply, not quality. That saving usually goes one of two ways: a larger or higher-grade stone, or simply money kept in your pocket.
Certification is what protects your money
Every diamond we sell comes with an IGI or SGL certificate stating its exact 4C grades — the same labs, the same grading scale used for mined diamonds. The certificate is what makes the price verifiable. It also backs our lifetime buy-back and exchange policy.
See the difference in person
Numbers on a screen only go so far. Visit us at Lotus Elite, KRR Road, Mangaluru — open every day, 11 AM to 7 PM — and compare certified stones side by side. Or try our online price estimator to get a live estimate before you visit. No pressure, no drama; bring your questions.