What does “cultured diamond” mean, and is it the same as lab-grown?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

"Cultured" can be used for a lab-grown diamond, but only with a clear qualifier such as "laboratory-grown" or "laboratory-created". On its own, the word is not enough. If a listing just says "cultured diamond", the seller has not clearly told you the stone is not mined, so ask what it is.

What the FTC says

Fact The FTC Jewelry Guides say it is not deceptive to use the word "cultured" to describe laboratory-created diamonds that have essentially the same optical, physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds, if the term is qualified by a clear and conspicuous disclosure such as "laboratory-created", "laboratory-grown" or "[manufacturer name]-created" that conveys that the product is not a mined stone (16 CFR 23.12(c)(3)).

Fact The FTC's guidance for sellers makes the same point for other laboratory-grown gemstones, such as "cultured ruby", and says the word "faux" is not an adequate disclosure (16 CFR 23.25).

Fact The FTC also says to describe laboratory-grown diamonds with a qualifier immediately before the word "diamond" and with equal prominence, so that buyers see it clearly.

How to read the term

• "Cultured diamond" alone: unclear. Ask what it means.
• "Cultured laboratory-grown diamond" or "laboratory-grown cultured diamond": clear, though redundant.
• "Lab-grown diamond": clear and more common, and the term most buyers search for.
• "Man-made", "created" or "synthetic": the Guides allow "synthetic" for lab-grown stones with essentially the same properties, but many sellers avoid it because buyers can read it as "imitation".

Cultured pearls are a different case

Our advice The word "cultured" is also used for pearls grown in oysters with human help. That use is separate, and the Guides treat cultured pearls separately.

What to ask a seller

1. Is the stone laboratory-grown or mined?
2. Which laboratory reported on it, and what is the report number?
3. Is the word "laboratory-grown" in the product title, or only in the small print?

It depends Some buyers like the word "cultured" because it sounds less technical, and some sellers use it for that reason. For clarity, we think "lab-grown" in the product title is the best choice.

Uncertain How the term is regulated differs by country, and other markets may not treat "cultured" the same way.

Related reading: What Are Lab Grown Diamonds? A Plain-English Explanation · CVD vs HPHT Lab Diamonds: What the Difference Means for Buyers

Sources

• 16 CFR 23.12, FTC Jewelry Guides: definition and misuse of the word "diamond"
• 16 CFR 23.25, FTC Jewelry Guides: misuse of "ruby", "sapphire", "emerald", "birthstone", "gem" and similar words
• FTC, In the Loupe: Advertising Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.