Lab-grown diamond engagement ring presented in a ring box
IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds for sale in South Africa

Lab-Grown Diamonds South Africa

Loose IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds from around R3,000 as a guide. Send David your shape, carat and budget and compare current options before you choose.

Prices are indicative and subject to exchange-rate changes. Confirm your final quote with David.

Quick answers

What buyers want to know first

What will it cost?

Loose-diamond guide examples start from R3,000; 1ct from R4,000; 2ct from R7,000. Settings are extra. Current prices depend on the IGI certificate and availability. See guide prices.

Which certificate?

Diagem supplies IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds and GIA-certified natural diamonds. What the IGI report shows.

Where can I view them?

Johannesburg, by appointment. Cape Town and elsewhere by arrangement with David. How viewing works.

Want a ring, not just a stone?

Engagement rings with a 1-carat lab-grown diamond in 9-carat gold, from R10,000. Choose the diamond first, then plan the setting with David. Lab-grown engagement rings.

Prices are indicative and subject to exchange-rate changes. Confirm your final quote with David.

Loose, certified lab-grown diamonds for sale

Choose a loose IGI-certified lab-grown diamond to buy.

Diagem sells loose lab-grown diamonds by enquiry, not blind online checkout. Pick a starting point below — the WhatsApp message is prefilled so David can send current options that match.

By shape

Carat examples

Under 1ct · 1ct · 1.5ct · 2ct · 2ct and larger

Budget examples

Under R5,000 · R5,000 – R10,000 · R10,000 – R20,000 · Over R20,000

Not sure yet? Send rough details. David narrows the choice and explains the differences that actually matter.

Lab-grown diamond prices

Start with a guide price. Confirm with David.

Lab-grown diamond prices change with the IGI certificate, carat, cut, colour, clarity, shape and availability. Use these guide examples as a starting point, then ask David for today’s IGI-certified options.

From R3,000Entry guide options
1ct from R4,000Loose diamond only; certificate-dependent
1.5ct from R5,000Subject to availability
2ct from R7,000Quote current options

Loose diamonds only; ring settings are extra. Guide prices only. Diamond prices and availability change. Ask David for current options and up-to-date prices.

Prices are indicative and subject to exchange-rate changes. Confirm your final quote with David.

What changes the price

Carat, cut quality, colour, clarity, shape and the IGI report itself. Two diamonds with the same carat can look and cost very differently.

More diamond for your budget

Lab-grown diamonds usually cost considerably less than natural diamonds of a similar grade, so many buyers choose a larger or better-graded stone for the same budget.

Send your budget, get real options

David quotes IGI-certified diamonds that are available now, not a generic price list.

Lab-grown engagement rings

Choose the diamond first. Build the ring around it.

David helps you balance the loose diamond and setting within your total budget, then guides the design and manufacture.

Engagement rings with a 1-carat lab-grown diamond in 9-carat gold, from R10,000.

Prices are indicative and subject to exchange-rate changes. Confirm your final quote with David.

Gold is a significant part of your ring’s cost. The gold weight, diamond and design all affect the final price.

  1. Choose the diamond. Send David your preferred shape, carat and total budget. He compares suitable loose IGI-certified options and explains the reports.
  2. Plan her ring. Share inspiration photos and choose a solitaire, halo, three-stone or bespoke design around your diamond. Review a 3D CAD render before you commit.
  3. Approve the design and finger size. Specialist trade jewellers make the approved ring to a high standard, with factory-direct pricing.

The same diamond-first approach can be used for bespoke pendants, earrings and other jewellery.

Lab-grown diamond ring design process
Diamond first, then the design direction.
Step 1: choose your IGI-certified lab-grown diamondStep 2: choose your ring designStep 3: Diagem crafts the ring around your diamond
Diamond first, then the design direction.
How Diagem works

View loose diamonds with David.

Compare suitable loose IGI-certified diamonds side by side at our Johannesburg office, by appointment. Ask David what is physically available to view. Cape Town and other locations are by arrangement with David.

Diamond specialist guiding a couple as they compare a loose diamond
Personal guidance from David, Diagem’s sole client contact.
IGI-certified

Compare the IGI report before you decide.

Every lab-grown diamond Diagem offers comes with an IGI report. It records the carat, cut, colour, clarity and measurements, so you can compare like with like and know you are buying a real lab-grown diamond — not moissanite or cubic zirconia.

IGI reports at Diagem

At Diagem, lab-grown diamonds use IGI certification. GIA certification applies to Diagem’s natural diamonds.

Read beyond the grade

Cut, polish, symmetry and proportions change how bright and how large a diamond looks. David explains what the report means for the diamond in front of you.

Check before you buy anywhere

Send David a certificate or quote from any seller and he will give you an honest opinion on the grade, the look and the price.

Illustrative sample IGI lab-grown diamond report beside a loose diamond
Ask David to compare the diamond with its IGI report line by line.
Lab-grown vs natural

Both are real diamonds. They are not the same.

Comparison of lab-grown and natural diamonds at Diagem
TopicLab-grownNatural
OriginGrown in a laboratory over a few weeks.Formed in the earth and mined.
Certificate at DiagemIGIGIA
Hardness and lookDiamond.Diamond.
Price and valueUsually more size or grade for the same budget.Different rarity, supply and resale factors.
Buying helpDavid can show both side by side and explain the trade-offs honestly.
Diamond education

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds created in a laboratory using technology that replicates the conditions under which natural diamonds form deep within the Earth. Instead of taking billions of years, the process takes only a few weeks.

The result has the same crystal structure, brilliance and essential chemical and optical properties as a natural diamond. The key difference is its origin: one grows underground, while the other grows in a controlled laboratory.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials. If you want a diamond, ask for the IGI lab-grown diamond report.

Quote and certificate review

Already have a lab-grown diamond quote?

Send David the IGI certificate or quote. He will explain the grades, compare the value and tell you whether the option suits your budget — even if you do not buy from Diagem. This is a personal opinion, not a guarantee of price or availability.

Google reviews

What our clients say.

★★★★★

“Absolutely amazing experience dealing with David and his team. Short notice and he pulled it off. No hassle and no BS”

konrad myburgh · 5/5 on Google · 21 September 2026
★★★★★

“Absolutely exceptional service. From first contact till delivery David went above and beyond to assist in creating something beautiful. Really recommend!”

Aiden Enslin · 5/5 on Google · 15 September 2026
★★★★★

“David's assistance and immediate knowledgeable responses are something to behold.”

Diets Nieuwoudt · 5/5 on Google · 14 September 2026

Read more Google reviews

Questions

Lab-grown diamond questions

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds created in a laboratory. They have the same crystal structure, brilliance and essential chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds. The difference is origin. They are not cubic zirconia or moissanite.

IGI or GIA: which certificate applies to a lab-grown diamond?

Diagem’s lab-grown diamonds are IGI-certified. GIA certification applies to Diagem’s natural diamonds. If you want a lab-grown diamond, ask for the IGI report.

What does a 1 carat or 2 carat lab-grown diamond cost in South Africa?

As a guide, 1ct lab-grown diamonds start from about R4,000 and 2ct from about R7,000 through Diagem. Guide prices only. Diamond prices and availability change. Ask David for current options and up-to-date prices. Prices are indicative and subject to exchange-rate changes. Confirm your final quote with David.

Can I buy a lab-grown diamond online from Diagem?

No. Diagem does not sell through an online checkout. Send David your shape, carat and budget, compare the IGI-certified options he sends, and decide when you are ready.

Can I view lab-grown diamonds in Johannesburg?

Yes, by appointment. Ask David what IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds are physically available to view and compare in Johannesburg.

Do you see clients in Cape Town or elsewhere in South Africa?

Johannesburg viewings are by appointment. Cape Town and other cities are by arrangement with David. Ask him what can be arranged for your enquiry.

Can I use a lab-grown diamond in an engagement ring?

Yes. Choose the IGI-certified diamond first, then discuss the ring style or a bespoke design made around that diamond and your budget.

Are IGI lab-grown diamonds worth it?

An IGI report tells you the carat, cut, colour, clarity and measurements you are paying for. David compares the report, the look of the diamond and the price so you can judge the value for your budget. Ask him before you buy anywhere.

Do lab-grown diamonds test as diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds normally test as diamonds because they are diamonds. Specialised laboratory screening can identify laboratory origin, which is why the IGI report matters.

Do lab-grown diamonds become cloudy?

A properly graded lab-grown diamond should not become cloudy simply because it is lab-grown. Clarity, cut quality and care determine how it looks over time.

Already have a quote from somewhere else?

Send David the IGI certificate or quote on WhatsApp. He will explain the grades and tell you honestly whether the option suits your budget. This is a personal opinion, not a guarantee of price or availability.

Speak to David

Find your lab-grown diamond.

Send David your preferred shape, approximate carat, budget and whether you need a ring setting. He’ll help you compare IGI-certified options and arrange the next step when you’re ready.

We’ll only use your details to respond to your diamond enquiry.