If you’d told me ten years ago that some of the world’s most beautiful diamond necklaces wouldn’t come from deep underground, I probably would’ve raised an eyebrow. Diamonds were diamonds — dug from the earth, cut by artisans, and wrapped in a bit of mystique. But lately, something interesting has been happening. Man made diamond necklaces have quietly stepped into the spotlight, and honestly, it feels like the jewellery world is having a bit of a moment.
What surprised me most is how natural this shift feels. Talk to any jeweller in Sydney or Melbourne and you’ll notice the same thing: customers are becoming more curious, more thoughtful, and much better informed. They’re asking about sustainability, traceability, affordability — and they’re not afraid to compare options. Suddenly, lab grown stones aren’t the “alternative”; they’re becoming the first choice for a lot of people.
I’ve spent the last few months speaking with jewellers, designers, and even a few diamond scientists (yes, that’s a real job), trying to understand why man made diamonds necklaces are turning into the new classic. And the more you dig into it, the more fascinating — and honestly, inspiring — the story becomes.
So… What Exactly Is a Man Made Diamond?
Let’s clear the air first: a lab created diamond is still a diamond. Same carbon crystal structure, same brilliance, same sparkle that catches the light just right when you tilt your neck ever so slightly. The only real difference is where it’s born.
Earth-mined diamonds form over millions of years under immense pressure below the planet’s surface. Lab made diamonds form under the exact same conditions, but inside advanced technology that replicates nature’s process.
One jewellery designer described it to me as “nature sped up with a bit of scientific magic.” And I quite like that explanation. It’s simple, elegant, and pretty spot-on.
What shocked me was how many people still assume lab grown diamonds are cubic zirconia or some imitation. They’re not. They pass the same tests, are graded using the same standards, and can be just as luxurious — sometimes even more so because of their clarity.
If you want a deeper dive into the science (and the craftsmanship behind it), this article on lab made diamonds does a great job of breaking down how these stones are grown and shaped into jewellery.
Why Necklaces, Specifically, Are Having a Moment
Necklaces are, strangely enough, one of the most personal pieces of jewellery you can own. Rings are symbolic. Earrings are decorative. Bracelets are often overlooked. But a necklace sits right at the heart — literally.
A diamond necklace is one of the first pieces people buy when they’re celebrating something big: a milestone birthday, a promotion, a wedding anniversary, or sometimes just because they want to treat themselves.
What’s beautiful is how man made diamonds have opened the door for creativity. Designers aren’t restricted by the unpredictable supply and cost of mined stones. That means necklaces can be bolder, more intricate, or simply more accessible.
I saw a piece recently — a floating diamond pendant with a stone so clear it looked like a drop of morning dew suspended on the chain. You’d never know it was lab grown. Actually, the jeweller told me it was one of her best-selling pieces, largely because customers could choose a bigger stone without the bigger price tag.
And that’s another shift happening quietly in the background…
The Appeal: Beauty Without Compromise
1. The ethical factor
You might not know this, but for many years buyers had almost no visibility into where their diamonds came from. Even now, the global supply chain is complicated. Lab grown diamonds offer something refreshingly straightforward: transparency.
No mining. No land disruption. No hidden sourcing.
Just a controlled, traceable process.
For eco-conscious Australians (and there are plenty of us), that matters.
2. The price difference — in a good way
People rarely talk about it loudly, but price absolutely matters. With man made diamonds necklaces, you often get a larger, higher-quality stone for the same budget. Some buyers go a little bigger; others simply appreciate the breathing room in their wallets.
I spoke to one bride who said choosing a lab grown piece meant she could afford both the necklace and a matching bracelet for her wedding day rather than waiting years to complete the set.
There’s something wonderfully empowering about having options without compromise.
3. Quality that’s shockingly consistent
Lab grown stones can achieve remarkable clarity because they’re grown in controlled conditions. If you’re someone who obsessively inspects a diamond for inclusions (guilty), this is a bit of a game-changer.
Necklaces often feature stones that sit right at the centre of your look, so quality is even more noticeable. A clean, bright diamond can completely transform a simple outfit.
From Classic to Contemporary: Designs Worth Noticing
One thing I didn’t expect was how diverse the design world around lab grown diamond necklaces has become. It’s no longer just solitaires and halos.
You’ll find:
• Floating pendants
Effortless, minimal, almost poetic in the way they move with the body.
• Tennis necklaces
Once reserved for red carpets, suddenly far more attainable.
• Geometric or modernist designs
Think architectural lines, asymmetry, negative space — the kind of statement pieces you’d see in an art gallery gift shop but elevated to fine jewellery.
• Layered diamond chains
A very “Sydney brunch scene” kind of vibe.
And if you’re browsing around for inspiration, this collection of man made diamonds necklaces offers a great look at the spectrum of what’s out there these days — from simple everyday pendants to pieces you’d wear to a black-tie gala.
A Quick Chat With a Jeweller (and a Few Unexpected Insights)
While researching this story, I visited a jeweller in Melbourne who specialises in both mined and lab grown stones. I was expecting a bit of a sales pitch; instead, I got something far more candid.
He told me, “It’s not really about replacing mined diamonds. It’s about giving people choice. Some want the tradition of an earth diamond. Some want the science and ethics behind a lab stone. And some, honestly, just want a bigger necklace.”
It made me laugh, but he’s right. Jewellery buying is personal. Emotional. Sometimes practical. Sometimes a little irrational — and that’s the charm of it.
What he also mentioned, which I thought was fascinating, is that younger buyers are much more comfortable with lab grown diamonds. They see them like electric cars: a natural evolution, not a compromise.
Meanwhile, older buyers often come in sceptical and leave pleasantly surprised once they see the stones in person. The eye test rarely lies.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Changing the Industry?
Quite a bit, actually.
Accessibility Is Redefining Luxury
For years, diamond jewellery was something you bought sparingly. A 21st birthday. An engagement. Maybe an anniversary. But with more accessible price points, people are exploring diamond necklaces as “everyday luxury.”
It’s not about extravagance — more about enjoying something beautiful without waiting for a special occasion.
Designers Are Experimenting Like Never Before
When you’re not constrained by rarity or unpredictable sourcing, creativity flourishes. Many independent Australian designers told me lab grown stones let them play with scale, drama, and colour in ways they couldn’t before.
Consumers Are Asking Better Questions
This might be my favourite shift. People are becoming more curious:
- “Where did this diamond come from?”
- “What’s its carbon footprint?”
- “Can I compare this to a mined stone?”
- “Is this certification independent?”
Ten years ago, those questions would’ve baffled most jewellery stores.
Choosing the Right Man Made Diamond Necklace
If you’re thinking about getting one, here are a few tips that came up repeatedly during my interviews:
1. Look for independent certification
GIA, IGI, GCAL — all reputable organisations that grade lab grown diamonds using the same standards as mined ones.
2. Pay attention to the setting
A beautifully cut stone can be diminished by a poorly made chain or pendant. The craftsmanship matters just as much as the diamond itself.
3. Don’t get hung up on perfection
Some people want flawless diamonds, which is fine. But sometimes a stone with a tiny natural inclusion (even in a lab grown gem) has more personality. A jeweller once told me, “Tiny quirks make a diamond charming.” I’ve never forgotten that.
4. Try it on — seriously
Necklaces sit differently on everyone. The length, the chain type, the shape of the pendant — what works on a display might not hit the same on your collarbone.
5. Shop with your lifestyle in mind
If you want a necklace you can wear to work, on weekends, and to dinner, choose something versatile. If you want a statement piece for special events, go bold.
The Emotional Side of a Very Modern Diamond
One thing that surprised me while speaking with wearers of man made diamond necklaces is how emotional they still feel about their pieces. The story behind the stone didn’t diminish the meaning — if anything, it enhanced it.
A woman in Perth told me her partner chose a lab grown diamond necklace because he knew she cared about sustainability. “It wasn’t just a gift,” she said. “It was him showing he sees me.”
Another woman admitted she’d always dreamed of a big diamond pendant but never thought she’d own one. “Lab grown diamonds made it possible,” she said. “It felt like I finally got to have the necklace I imagined as a kid.”
Jewellery has always been about emotion — memory, identity, milestones. It turns out that origin doesn’t change that. The moment the clasp closes around your neck, it becomes yours.
Where Things Might Be Heading
I’m not usually in the business of predictions, but after talking to so many people in the industry, it’s hard not to notice a trend.
Lab grown diamonds aren’t just a “phase.” They’re becoming a permanent part of the jewellery landscape — particularly in necklaces, where the balance of size, sparkle, and affordability is so appealing.
I think we’ll see:
- More design innovation
- More hybrid collections (both mined and lab grown)
- More customers choosing pieces for everyday wear
- A continuing shift towards ethical luxury
And honestly? I think that’s something worth celebrating.
A Final Thought
Every now and then, a quiet revolution happens in an industry that’s been the same for centuries. Man made diamonds necklaces represent one of those turning points — blending beauty with ethics, craftsmanship with science, tradition with modern values.
Whether you love them for their sparkle, their story, or their sustainability, they offer something genuinely meaningful: choice.
And if there’s one thing we could all use a little more of — in fashion, in life, in the way we express ourselves — it’s the freedom to choose what feels right for us.
So if you find yourself drawn to the idea of a lab grown diamond necklace, trust that instinct. Try a few on. Ask questions. See what speaks to you.
