It’s 2025. Scientists might make dinosaurs in the lab so why can’t gold? Gold is known to be a symbol of wealth, luxury and elegance and one of the things that make it an “expensive” asset is the way it’s formed. Not in a lab, but deep within the Earth, over millions of years, and extracted through intensive mining.
So, can we really skip nature and manufacture gold in a lab?
Let’s dig into the science.
Can Gold Be Made Like Lab Grown Diamonds?
Short Answer: Technically, Yes! But There's a Catch.
Lab grown diamonds are made by mimicking the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions that naturally form diamonds underground. That process is relatively efficient and scalable today, making lab created diamonds nearly identical to mined ones-just more ethical and affordable.
But gold is another story. Scientists must physically modify atoms to mimic the precise composition of gold, which consists of 79 protons in its nucleus, in order to create synthetic gold. Yes, this process, known as nuclear transmutation is real. Indeed, scientists have already done it... but only in a laboratory, with particle accelerators, very high costs, and very small yields. The outcome? a tiny quantity of gold that is far more expensive than real gold. Thus, it is possible for lab made gold to exist. However, is it feasible or profitable? Not just yet.
Why Mined Gold Still Rules in 2025
While the idea of lab grown gold sounds futuristic and sustainable, it’s not replacing your real gold anytime soon. Here’s why:
Cost-Prohibitive Production
Creating gold in a lab requires advanced nuclear physics equipment and millions in research investment. The cost of producing even a speck of lab grown gold far exceeds its actual market value.
Extremely Low Yield
Unlike lab diamonds, which can be grown in months and cut into carats, lab gold is produced in atom-sized quantities, not nearly enough to make jewellery.
Not More Sustainable Than Real Gold
Unlike mined diamonds, gold is infinitely recyclable. Old gold jewellery can be melted and reshaped into new pieces without losing purity or quality. So there's already a sustainable path to using gold, without mining or particle accelerators.
What About Fake Gold or Plated Gold?
Lab grown gold is never to be confused with gold-plated or imitation gold jewellery.
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Gold-plated: Base metal (like copper or brass) coated with a thin layer of gold. Cheaper, but the gold wears off over time.
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Gold-filled: Slightly thicker gold layer, more durable than gold-plated.
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Fake gold: Often looks like gold but contains no actual gold content—typically made of alloy metals or coated plastic.
Only 9kt, 14kt, 18kt, and 22kt gold are real gold alloys, with measurable gold content. So when you buy gold jewellery, always check for authenticity, hallmarking, and karat value.
Final Thoughts: Real Gold Is Still the Real Deal
While science is getting closer to incredible breakthroughs, lab grown gold remains far-stretched and quite impractical lab outcomes, at least for now.
The gold in your jewellery box, especially if it's 9kt or 18kt real gold, is still mined or recycled, and responsibly crafted by expert jewellers.
So until scientists start making affordable lab grown gold rings, we’ll stick to the real gold that’s strong, shiny, and a lifetime asset.
