Synthesis is the execution of chemical reactions to form a more complex molecule from multiple chemical precursors. For example, synthetic leather or synthetic rubber are examples of multiple chemical precursors which simulate a natural product.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the growth of diamonds in a laboratory is not synthetic, as a grown diamond is not a complex molecule, nor does it require multiple chemical precursors to create a diamond. From a scientific standpoint, growing a diamond is merely changing one form of carbon (graphite) into another form of carbon (diamond), – exactly as with an earth mined, and as such no synthesis occurs.

So, you see, the term ‘synthetic’ is chemically inaccurate for diamond, as a diamond is not a synthesis of multiple ingredients. A diamond is one element, carbon, and since there is no such thing as synthetic carbon, there is no such thing as a synthetic diamond.

‘Synthetic’ is also defined as ‘Not natural or genuine: artificial or contrived’. Since lab Grown diamonds are the same as earth mined, it is no longer acceptable to call only an earth mined diamond ‘natural’ Both are in fact natural, so lab grown diamonds can’t be called synthetic.

This compares to the synthetic coloured gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, which do in fact fit the definition of being created from ‘the execution of chemical reactions to form a more complex molecule from multiple chemical precursors. These type of synthetics are created from a complex soup of chemicals to artificially grow their crystals. They also have a stigma as being cheaper version of their ‘real’ counterparts. They are easily identified by their chemical and physical characteristics and often give themselves away by looking ‘to good to be true’.

‘Synthetic’ is the preferred name used by the mining diamond industry, as they believe that the term ‘synthetic’ cheapens the product and promotes their false view of the ‘fakeness’ of lab-created diamonds, in their attempt to denigrate lab grown diamonds and to create confusion between lab-grown diamonds (which are diamonds) and lab grown diamond simulants (which are not diamonds).