man made diamonds

Why Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Necklaces Are Stealing the Spotlight

June 13, 2025 Off By Michelle Spalding

Ever noticed how jewellery trends swing like fashion seasons? One minute chunky gold chains are everywhere, and the next—everyone’s whispering about delicate sparkle. Lately, the buzz has been all about lab grown diamond tennis necklaces. And honestly, it makes sense. They’re sleek, timeless, and (let’s be real) way friendlier on the wallet compared to mined diamonds. But that’s only scratching the surface.

So let’s dive into what’s really going on with this sparkling shift.

The Backstory: How Diamonds Got a Makeover

Think back for a second. For decades, “diamonds are forever” ruled the jewellery world. Engagement rings, anniversary gifts, that big promotion present—natural diamonds were the default. But then, people started asking uncomfortable questions.

Where did these diamonds come from? Who mined them? And why do they cost as much as a car?

Cue the rise of man made diamonds. Created in labs, with the same chemical structure and sparkle, they slowly started shaking off the “fake” stigma. Today, most people know they’re real diamonds—just born differently. Like choosing oat milk instead of cow’s milk. Different process, same end product (depending on who you ask).

And let’s be honest: in a world that’s more conscious about sustainability and budgets, this shift feels inevitable.

What’s Trending: Why Everyone’s Into It

Here’s the fun part. Tennis necklaces aren’t exactly new—they’ve been around for decades. But give them a refresh with lab grown stones, and suddenly they feel modern, attainable, and everywhere on Instagram.

Why the hype? A few reasons:

  1. Accessibility. A natural diamond tennis necklace might run into six figures. With lab grown? You can actually imagine owning one without selling your car.

  2. Versatility. Wear it with a black dress to a wedding. Or, if you’re bold, with a plain tee and jeans. (Trust me, it works.)

  3. Celeb Power. Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, even athletes—people love rocking that straight line of sparkle. And if celebs wear it casually, why not us?

  4. The Everyday Luxury Factor. There’s something irresistible about jewellery you don’t have to “save for special occasions.” Lab grown diamond tennis necklaces make that possible.

So yeah, it’s not just a trend. It’s more like a quiet revolution in how we think about luxury.

The Local Twist: Why It Feels Different Depending on Where You Are

Here’s something interesting. In big cities like New York or London, lab grown jewellery has almost gone mainstream. You’ll find boutiques proudly advertising “ethical sparkle.” But in some places, there’s still hesitation. Some people cling to the idea that “natural is better.”

But here’s my take: every location adds its own flavor. In Asia, for example, there’s a growing love for man made diamonds not just because of price, but because of the whole tech-meets-luxury angle. It feels futuristic. Like wearing innovation around your neck.

Meanwhile, in places where status symbols are everything, these necklaces are being worn loud and proud—not as “alternatives,” but as the main event. That’s a pretty big deal.

The Process: How It All Comes Together

Okay, let’s break down how these sparkly things actually happen. Don’t worry—I’ll keep it simple.

  1. Step One: Growing. Scientists use two main methods: HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapor deposition). Sounds intimidating, but basically, they recreate the conditions that form diamonds underground—just inside a lab.

  2. Step Two: Cutting. Once the diamond is grown, cutters shape it just like a mined diamond. That’s where the magic happens. A dull block becomes a brilliant stone.

  3. Step Three: Setting. For a tennis necklace, each diamond is linked together in a perfect line. It’s kind of like crafting the ultimate chain of sparkle, where every stone has to match just right.

  4. Step Four: Wearing (aka the best part). The moment you clasp it around your neck, all the science disappears. All anyone sees is brilliance.

What I love about this is the mix of high-tech process with old-school craftsmanship. It’s like Silicon Valley meets vintage jewellery.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, lab grown diamond tennis necklaces aren’t just a fad. They’re part of a bigger story about how we redefine luxury, beauty, and even tradition. Some people will always swear by mined stones, and that’s fine. But for many of us, the appeal of man made diamonds—the mix of affordability, ethics, and sheer sparkle—is hard to resist.