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More people are buying lab grown diamonds in India every year, and it's not hard to see why. You get real diamonds, the same hardness, the same brilliance, the same chemical makeup as a mined stone, at a fraction of the price. But that growth has also brought a flood of new sellers into the market, and not all of them are equally trustworthy. Some skip certification entirely. Some quietly use lower purity gold than they advertise. Some make buyback promises they have no intention of honouring.
Before you hand over your money, it's worth spending ten minutes running through a proper checklist. Here are the seven checks that actually matter, and why each one protects you.
1. Check for IGI or SGL Certification on Every Stone
This is the single most important check, and it's non-negotiable. Every lab grown diamond you buy should come with a certificate from a recognised laboratory like IGI or SGL, confirming the stone's cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. Most certified diamonds also carry a unique identification number, sometimes laser-inscribed on the stone itself, which you can look up on the certifying lab's website to confirm it matches.
If a seller can't produce a certificate, or gets vague when you ask for one, walk away. No certificate means no proof of what you're actually buying.
2. Confirm the Gold Purity and Hallmark
The stone is only half the purchase. The gold it's set in matters just as much, especially for heavier pieces like Polki sets or bridal jewellery where the gold weight adds up.
Look for BIS hallmarked gold, typically 14K or 18K for fine jewellery. The hallmark should be clearly stated on the product listing and stamped on the piece itself. If a brand only mentions "gold" without specifying purity or hallmarking, ask directly before you buy.
3. Understand the Buyback and Exchange Policy Before You Pay
This is where a lot of buyers get caught out later. A seller might advertise a buyback or exchange policy prominently, but the actual terms, what percentage you get back, what conditions apply, whether it covers the diamond, the gold, or both, can vary a lot between brands and even between individual pieces from the same brand.
Ask for the buyback and exchange terms in writing before you purchase, not after. A brand that offers a clear, upfront lifetime buyback and exchange policy on every piece is generally a safer bet than one where you have to dig for the fine print.
4. Compare Pricing Like for Like
Lab grown diamond pricing depends on three things: the diamond's weight and clarity, the gold's weight and purity, and the making charges for the setting. When you're comparing two brands, make sure you're comparing the same carat weight, the same clarity grade, and the same gold purity. A lower price with no certification, or with unspecified gold purity, isn't a better deal, it's a different and less transparent product.
As a rough sense of scale, the Indian lab grown diamond jewellery market is projected to grow at roughly 15 percent a year through the next decade, which has pushed more brands to compete on price. That's good news for buyers, but it also means it's easier than ever to find sellers cutting corners to hit a lower number. Always ask what exactly you're paying for before you compare prices across brands.
5. Look for a Home Trial or In-Person Viewing Option
Photos and product pages only tell you so much, especially for detailed pieces like Polki sets, layered necklaces, or anything with intricate setting work. Wherever possible, choose a brand that lets you see the piece in person before you commit, either at a store or through a home trial.
A home trial in particular is worth prioritising for bigger purchases like engagement rings or bridal sets, since it lets you check how the piece actually catches light and sits against your skin, rather than relying on studio photography.
6. Check the Brand's Physical Presence and Store Cities
A brand with real, accessible stores, not just a website, is generally easier to deal with if something goes wrong, whether that's resizing, repairs, or using a buyback policy down the line. Before you buy, check whether the brand has a physical presence in or near your city, and whether their home trial service actually covers your location.
7. Read Independent Reviews, Not Just the Brand's Own Testimonials
Every brand will show you their best reviews on their own site. Before you commit, especially to a larger purchase, look for independent reviews on Google, social media, or third-party marketplaces. Pay attention to how the brand handles complaints and returns, not just the star rating. A brand that responds well when something goes wrong tells you more than a wall of five-star testimonials ever will.
Quick Recap: Your Lab Grown Diamond Buying Checklist
Before you buy, make sure you can answer yes to all seven:
Does every stone come with an IGI or SGL certificate?
Is the gold BIS hallmarked, with the purity clearly stated?
Do you have the buyback and exchange terms in writing?
Are you comparing prices on the same carat, clarity, and gold purity?
Can you see or try the piece in person before buying?
Does the brand have a real store presence near you?
Have you checked independent reviews beyond the brand's own site?
If you can tick all seven, you're buying from a brand worth trusting with a significant purchase.
Why This Matters at Ivana Jewels
We built our process around this exact checklist. Every piece at Ivana Jewels uses lab grown, ethically grown real diamonds that are IGI or SGL certified, set in BIS hallmarked 14K or 18K gold. Every piece comes with a lifetime buyback and exchange policy stated upfront, and you can book a home trial across Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Nagpur, Pune, Thane, Surat, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad before you decide.
Explore our diamond engagement rings, browse our bridal diamond jewellery collection, or take a look at our lab grown Polki jewellery if heritage design is what you're after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What certification should I look for when buying lab grown diamonds in India?
Look for IGI or SGL certification on every stone. This confirms the diamond's cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, and most certificates come with a unique identification number you can verify directly on the certifying lab's website.
Is BIS hallmarking necessary for lab grown diamond jewellery?
Yes. BIS hallmarking confirms the purity of the gold used in the setting, independent of the diamond certification. Always check for a clearly stated hallmark, typically 14K or 18K for fine jewellery.
How do I know if a brand's buyback policy is genuine?
Ask for the buyback and exchange terms in writing before you purchase, including the exact percentage and what it covers. A brand that states a clear, lifetime buyback and exchange policy upfront on every piece is generally more trustworthy than one where the terms are vague or only mentioned after purchase.
Should I buy lab grown diamond jewellery online or in person?
Both can work as long as the brand is transparent about certification and hallmarking. For larger purchases like engagement rings or bridal sets, a home trial or in-store viewing is worth prioritising so you can see the piece before committing.
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are real, ethically grown real diamonds with the same chemical composition, hardness, and brilliance as mined diamonds. The only difference is that they're grown in a controlled environment instead of being mined from the earth.
Does Ivana Jewels offer a home trial before I buy?
Yes. We offer home trials across Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Nagpur, Pune, Thane, Surat, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, along with a lifetime buyback and exchange policy on every piece, so you can shop with full confidence.
