Do lab grown diamonds have inclusions?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds contain inclusions — tiny internal features formed during crystal growth — in the same way mined diamonds do. The specific types can differ slightly by growth method, but their presence is normal and expected. Choosing a certified, eye-clean stone means those inclusions have no visible impact on the diamond's beauty.
Inclusions are one of the four Cs that determine a diamond's clarity grade, and they are a natural part of how any diamond forms — including those grown in a laboratory. Understanding what inclusions are, and which ones matter, helps you buy with confidence.
What exactly is an inclusion?
An inclusion is an internal characteristic sealed inside a diamond as it crystallizes. Common examples include pinpoints (minute crystals), feathers (small fractures), clouds (clusters of pinpoints) and needles. They are assessed under 10x magnification and mapped on a clarity plot in the grading report. Our diamond education guide explains how they factor into the overall grade.
Inclusions typical of lab-grown diamonds
Because lab-grown diamonds are produced by two different methods, their inclusions can look a little different from mined stones:
- HPHT diamonds can contain tiny metallic flux inclusions from the growth solution, which may be identifiable by a gemologist.
- CVD diamonds may show subtle growth striations or graphite-like pinpoints related to how carbon layers are deposited.
- Both methods can produce clouds, feathers and pinpoints — the same categories seen in natural diamonds.
None of these are defects; they are simply the fingerprints of crystal growth. A laboratory such as GIA or IGI uses them, in part, to confirm a stone's origin and assign its clarity grade.
Do inclusions affect appearance or value?
In higher clarity grades, inclusions are invisible without magnification and have no effect on how the diamond looks. Only in the lower grades do inclusions become eye-visible or, occasionally, affect durability. Fewer and smaller inclusions raise the clarity grade and the price, which is why the sweet spot for most buyers is an eye-clean stone that looks flawless to the eye but is graded VS or SI. Compare how much stone your budget buys on our natural vs lab-grown price comparison.
How to shop smart around inclusions
- Prioritize eye-clean over a high grade on paper — your eyes cannot see VVS versus VS.
- Check the clarity plot to see where inclusions sit; those near the edge are easier to hide in a setting.
- For emerald and other step cuts, choose a higher clarity, as their open facets reveal inclusions.
- Read the certificate carefully and buy only certified stones.
- Use lab-grown savings to lift clarity or carat if either matters to you.
You can put this into practice with our beginner's guide to diamond clarity, then explore certified stones in our lab-grown diamonds and engagement rings collections.
Frequently asked questions
Are inclusions in lab-grown diamonds a bad thing?
Not at all. Inclusions are a normal part of diamond formation. As long as the stone is eye-clean, they do not affect its beauty and they help confirm the diamond is genuine and certified.
Can lab-grown diamonds be inclusion-free?
Internally Flawless and Flawless lab-grown diamonds exist but are rare and priced accordingly. Most stones have some inclusions that are only visible under magnification.
How do I know what inclusions my diamond has?
Your grading report includes a clarity plot that maps the type and position of inclusions, so you can see exactly what the diamond contains before you buy.
Browse certified, clarity-graded stones in our lab-grown collection.
