Our Diamonds.

Lab‑Grown vs. Mined: Real diamonds, Different stories.

Luxury today is having a choice. We don't believe your diamonds should be worn as a flex, and we don't believe your jeweller should be pushing an outdated agenda of elitism. Your stack shouldn’t need to prove something.

At VIVIE we let our clients choose. The pieces you choose to wear should be more about meaning. How does it make you feel – emotionally, financially, or consciously?

For many, lab‑grown diamonds represent a choice: to embrace something thoughtful and considered. So, lab or mined? What’s the difference?

Here’s what you need to know:

A lab‑grown diamond is a real diamond. It’s not an imitation.

A lab diamond is not a simulant such as cubic zirconia or moissanite.

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical.
They share the same crystal structure and are made of pure crystallised carbon, just like a mined diamond.
They both score 10 on the Mohs scale.
They’re both graded and certified by the same world‑respected gem laboratories.
They exhibit the same brilliance, the same durability, and beauty.

The only difference is where it’s formed.

While all diamonds are undeniably beautiful, the process of extracting mined diamonds from the earth does come at a cost - to ecosystems, communities, and the planet.

On average, up to 250 tonnes of rock and soil are displaced to find a single carat of diamond destroying forests, and natural habitats, displacing wildlife and damaging fragile ecosystems. Mining uses enormous quantities of water, which is often contaminated by chemicals and sediment and released back into local rivers and lakes, harm aquatic life, and make water unsafe for local communities.

Mined diamonds have a significant carbon footprint with heavy machinery, explosives, and transportation burning large amounts of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and - while not strictly environmental, it’s worth mentioning that diamond mining has also been associated with unsafe working conditions, exploitative labour practices, and conflict zones. This is why mined diamonds are often ethically called into question as well.

We understand though, that for some, there is something meaningful in wearing a diamond that formed over billions of years in the earth. That connection to history and heritage feels important - and we honour that. When requested, we source only ethically‑mined diamonds that meet the highest standards of responsibility.

But how are lab diamonds made?

Lab grown diamonds are created in advanced laboratories by replicating the same temperature and pressure conditions found deep in the earth - in a matter of weeks, and even experienced jewellers cannot tell them apart without specialised equipment. Only a laboratory can detect the subtle differences in growth patterns and trace elements that reveal a diamond’s origin.

Whether you’re drawn to the sustainability and integrity of a lab‑grown diamond or the tradition of a mined one, what you see - the sparkle, the clarity, the feeling it gives you - is the same.

At VIVIE there is no wrong choice. Choose the diamond that feels right for you - and we’ll make sure it’s beautiful, thoughtful, and honours your story.

Still deciding? Have questions? Email us at hello@vivie.com.au - we’d be happy to help!