The Truth About Disclosure: What Jewelers Are Required by Law to Tell You About Lab-Grown Diamonds
The uncomfortable truth: most “problems” are disclosure problems
Lab-grown diamonds aren’t legally shady by default. The mess happens when sellers use language that nudges you to assume “mined”—or they bury the fact it’s man-made. U.S. marketing rules focus on preventing deception, not blessing one type as more “real” than the other.
What U.S. rules actually require (FTC guidance, not vibes)
1) If it’s lab-grown, the seller must make that clear
FTC guidance says descriptors like “laboratory-grown,” “laboratory-created,” or “[manufacturer]-created” should be used as a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the diamond is not mined.
Translation: Calling it a “diamond” while letting you reasonably assume it’s mined can cross into misleading advertising territory.
2) “Cultured” is allowed only if it’s immediately qualified
FTC guidance explicitly notes “cultured” can be used for lab-created stones only if it’s paired with clear disclosure that it’s not mined (not standing alone).
3) These standards live in the FTC Jewelry Guides (16 CFR Part 23)
The Jewelry Guides cover gemstones including laboratory-created and imitation substitutes—this is the framework sellers should be following when describing lab-grown diamonds to consumers.
What “clear and conspicuous” should look like in real shopping situations
Here’s where jewelers get “creative.” If you see any of these, assume they’re trying to glide past disclosure:
-
Listing headline says “Diamond Studs” but “lab-grown” appears only deep in specs.
-
Tag says “Diamond” and salesperson says “yes, real diamond” but never clearly states lab-created unless you press.
-
Site uses “eco diamond,” “conflict-free diamond,” “ethical diamond” without stating lab-grown right next to “diamond.”
FTC’s guidance is about avoiding consumer deception—so disclosure should be unmissable at the point you decide to buy, not hidden after.
Miami-localized: what you should demand before you pay (Brickell, Aventura, Design District—same rules)
The “show me, don’t sell me” checklist
-
Write it down: The invoice/receipt must say “laboratory-grown” (or similar), not just “diamond.”
-
Get the grading report (or identification report) before payment, and confirm it states lab-grown.
-
Verify the report number yourself on the lab’s site when possible (IGI provides an online verification tool, for example).
-
Match inscription if available: Some lab reports/standards include laser inscriptions (GIA notes lab-grown diamonds may be laser inscribed with “Laboratory-Grown” + report number).
-
Return policy in writing. If it’s “final sale,” you need to understand the risk you’re accepting.
If a Miami store pushes “trust me,” that’s not luxury—that’s leverage against you.
Florida law: you’re not limited to federal rules
Florida’s consumer protection framework (FDUTPA) makes unfair or deceptive acts or practices unlawful in trade or commerce. That’s broad on purpose.
Practical meaning: if marketing, tags, or receipts are misleading about whether the diamond is lab-grown vs mined, Florida law can matter in addition to FTC standards.
The “required by law” vs “smart to disclose” line (don’t confuse them)
Strongly tied to deception risk (the stuff that matters most)
-
Origin disclosure (lab-grown vs mined) with “diamond”
-
No misleading terms that imply mined/natural without qualification
Not always legally “required,” but you should insist on it anyway
-
Full grading report
-
Laser inscription check
-
Independent appraisal for insurance
-
Written return/exchange terms
A blunt buyer rule you should live by
If the seller won’t put “laboratory-grown” on the receipt/invoice and show a matching report, assume you’re being set up for a dispute later—especially when you try to insure it, resell it, or return it.