"How much does a lab-grown diamond cost?" is the single most-searched question in Indian diamond buying today and also the one with the most confusing answers online. As jewellers who price and sell IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds every day in Kolkata and Delhi, here is the honest, complete picture.
The headline number: lab-grown costs 90% less than mined.
A lab-grown diamond of the same cut, colour, clarity and carat typically costs 1/10th of its mined equivalent. A solitaire that would stretch a family's budget as a mined stone becomes comfortably affordable as a lab-grown one, with the identical sparkle, the identical hardness, and the same IGI certification.
In practical terms, a good quality 1-carat lab-grown diamond in India in 2026 generally falls in the range of roughly ₹17,000-₹25,000 for the loose stone, depending on its grades while a comparable mined stone can cost 10 times more. Finished jewellery adds the gold weight (billed at the day's gold rate) and making charges.
What actually decides the price?
1. Carat weight
Price rises with size, but far more gently than with mined diamonds. This is why 2, 3, even 5-carat looks: once reserved for a very few, are now realistic. Our Under ₹1 Lakh collection is full of carat weights that would be unthinkable in mined diamonds at that budget.
2. The 4Cs grades
Cut, colour and clarity move the price just like they do for mined stones. D-colour VVS stone costs more than a G-colour VS one. The difference: with lab-grown, upgrading a grade costs hundreds or a few thousand rupees, not lakhs.
3. Shape
Round brilliants usually command a small premium because more rough is lost in cutting. Fancy shapes oval, pear, emerald, heart, and the distinctly Indian pear shape often give you a larger-looking diamond for less.
2.22 Ct Solitaire Round-Shaped Diamond Locket, 18K - ₹76,500/- View this piece
4. Gold purity and weight
In finished jewellery, the metal matters. 18K costs more than 14K; 14K more than 9K. At Goenka Jewellers the gold component is transparently linked to the day's published gold rate. You can check today's gold rate in Kolkata on our site before you buy.
5. Certification
An IGI-certified stone may cost marginally more than an uncertified one and it is worth every rupee. An uncertified "lab-grown diamond" at a suspiciously low price may not be a diamond at all. Never buy without a certificate.
Why exactly are lab-grown diamonds cheaper?
Not because they are inferior, the material is identical. The saving comes from the supply chain:
No mining costs. No exploration, excavation, or heavy machinery running for years. Shorter supply chain. A mined diamond passes through many hands across continents before reaching a showroom; a lab-grown diamond travels a far shorter route and India, is a global hub for growing and cutting them. Predictable supply. Growers can produce to demand, so there is no artificial scarcity premium built into the price.
Sample budgets: what your money buys at Goenka Jewellers.
Under ₹50,000: Daily-wear diamond tops, delicate pendants, rings, nose screws and kids' jewellery: see the Under ₹50K collection.
₹50,000–₹1,00,000: Solitaire lockets, studs,1-carat-plus rings, hoops and chain bracelets: see the Under ₹1 Lakh collection.
₹1,00,000+: Statement solitaire tops, tennis bracelets, bangles and full bridal necklace sets, pieces that would cost several times more in mined diamonds. Browse our necklace collection for examples.
0.2 Ct Diamond Tops in 14K Gold: everyday luxury within reach: Shop 14K earrings
A price tip most buyers miss:
Compare total value, not just sticker price: certification, gold purity hallmarking, buyback terms and warranty. A piece that is ₹2,000 cheaper but comes without an IGI certificate or a buyback promise is the more expensive purchase in the long run. Every Goenka piece includes IGI certification, lifetime warranty, and our buyback of 80% cash, 100% exchange on diamonds and 100% on gold.
Frequently asked questions -
What is the price of a 1-carat lab-grown diamond in India?
Roughly ₹17,000-₹25,000 for the loose stone depending on cut, colour, clarity and shape, plus gold and making charges for finished jewellery. Visit our stores for an exact quote on the piece you love.
Will lab-grown diamond prices keep falling?
Production efficiency has brought prices down over the years, which is good news for buyers: you get more diamond for your money today than ever before. Buy for the joy of wearing, not for speculation.
Is there a price difference between CVD and HPHT diamonds?
Both methods produce real diamonds and both are IGI-graded on the same scale; the grade on the certificate, not the growth method, is what determines price.
Want an exact price on a design you have in mind? We also make customised jewellery. Book a free appointment in Kolkata or Delhi, or WhatsApp us at +91 98300 96144.
Goenka Jewellers - World of Lab Grown Diamonds. Crafting Legacy Forever.