Frequently asked questions

A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond, grown in a laboratory instead of mined from the earth. It is made of the same carbon crystal as a mined diamond, so it has the same hardness, sparkle and fire. Only its origin is different.

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically and optically the same as mined diamonds. They are graded on the same 4Cs by labs such as IGI, and they pass a standard diamond tester. Only a gem lab with specialist equipment can tell them apart from mined diamonds.

The diamond itself is the same. The differences are origin, price and supply. A natural diamond formed underground over billions of years and is mined. A lab-grown diamond is grown in weeks using the CVD or HPHT method. Lab-grown diamonds cost much less for the same size and grade, and avoid the environmental and human cost of mining.

Typically 70 to 80% less than a natural diamond of the same carat, colour and clarity at retail. That is why many buyers choose a bigger or better-graded stone for the same budget. Every Chaitra product page shows the full price breakup, and our lab-grown diamond price guide lists current prices by carat.

There are two methods. CVD (chemical vapour deposition) builds a diamond layer by layer from carbon-rich gas. HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) recreates the conditions deep in the earth. Both produce real diamond crystals, which are then cut and polished by hand like any mined diamond.

Moissanite is a different stone: silicon carbide, not diamond. It shows more rainbow-coloured sparkle, is slightly softer, and does not test as diamond on most testers. A lab-grown diamond is a diamond. It is carbon, the hardest material there is, and is graded like any diamond.

No. "American diamond" is cubic zirconia, a diamond simulant. It is much softer, scratches and clouds over time, and has no diamond value. A lab-grown diamond is a true diamond and is certified as one.

Yes. Our lab-grown diamonds are certified by IGI (International Gemological Institute), and the gold is BIS hallmarked with a HUID. Here is how to check both yourself.

If you want a real diamond that looks and lasts the same as a mined one, for far less, yes. Lab-grown diamonds sell for less than mined ones in the open market, which is why Chaitra puts a lifetime buyback and lifetime exchange in writing for every lab-grown piece.

Resale value for lab-grown diamonds is lower and less predictable than for gold, because prices fall as production grows. Most jewellers do not buy them back at all. Chaitra does: we pay 100% of the gold value and the current market value of the diamond less 15%, in cash. If you put it towards a new piece, you get 90% of the diamond value. See how buyback works.

Gold vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") is a thick layer of real gold over solid sterling silver. Chaitra Gold Vermeil is 2.5 microns of 18K gold over 925 sterling silver, set with lab-grown diamonds. It looks like solid gold at a fraction of the price.

Vermeil is better. Gold-plated jewellery usually has a very thin layer of gold, often under half a micron, over brass or another base metal. Vermeil has at least 2.5 microns of gold over solid sterling silver. It lasts longer, is kinder to sensitive skin, and still has silver underneath when the gold wears.

Gold-filled jewellery has a layer of gold bonded under heat to a base metal core, usually brass. Vermeil has a precious silver core with gold on top. Both are well above plated jewellery. Vermeil lets us set lab-grown diamonds in delicate, fine-jewellery designs.

With care, the gold layer lasts for years. Friction, water and chemicals wear it faster, so rings and bracelets wear sooner than earrings and pendants. When it does wear, we can replate it for a charge we quote after seeing the piece.

Gold does not tarnish. Where the gold wears thin, the silver underneath can darken over time. It will not turn your skin green, because there is no brass or copper base. Store it dry and airtight to slow tarnish.

Take it off before showering, swimming, the gym and housework. Water, sweat, chlorine and soap all wear the gold layer faster. Put it on after perfume and lotion have dried. See our care guide.

Usually not without replating it, because resizing breaks the gold layer. Please check your size with our ring size guide before you order, or message us and we will help.

Gold Vermeil is not part of our exchange, buyback or lifetime care programme. If it arrives damaged or defective, tell us within 14 days of delivery and we will collect it free and replace it. See our returns policy.

Every price is built from the diamond, the gold at its weight and purity, and a making charge, plus 3% GST. The product page shows the full breakup, so you can see what each part costs.

No. The price you pay when you order is final. We do not ask for more if gold goes up after you have ordered.

UPI, debit and credit cards and net banking at checkout. For high-value orders, bank transfer is available too. Ask us on WhatsApp.

No. All orders are prepaid through secure payment partners. Every parcel is fully insured until it reaches you.

For orders above ₹2,00,000, Indian law requires us to record your PAN. We ask for it after you order.

Yes. All prices include 3% GST, and delivery within India is free.

Every piece is made to order. Lab-grown diamond jewellery and Gold Vermeil are usually dispatched within 7 working days, and the product page shows the exact time for each piece. Delivery then takes 4 to 6 working days, depending on your pincode.

Yes. Delivery is free and fully insured on every order within India, with no minimum.

In discreet, tamper-evident packaging, insured until it reaches you. The courier may ask for a signature, OTP or ID. Please refuse any parcel with a broken seal and tell us. Shipping policy.

Chaitra is an online jeweller. Our pieces are made in Surat, and our corporate office is in Bengaluru, but neither is a showroom. To see a piece before you buy, book a video consultation on WhatsApp and a jeweller will show it to you live.

Yes, to selected countries. International orders are placed with a jeweller on WhatsApp or email. The prices we quote include insured shipping and, for most countries, import duties (DDP). International sales are final; returns, exchanges and repairs are possible only when you bring the piece to us in India. See international orders.

Every piece is made to order, so we do not take returns for a change of mind. If your piece arrives damaged, defective or not what you ordered, tell us within 14 days of delivery. We collect it free and repair, replace or refund it. Returns and refund policy.

Refunds go only to your original payment method. We start the refund within 7 working days of the piece passing inspection.

Yes, for life. Trade in any Chaitra lab-grown diamond piece and we credit gold at 100% and diamonds at 90% of today's value towards a new one, with no pickup fee. Lifetime exchange.

Yes, for lab-grown diamond pieces bought from Chaitra. We pay gold at 100% and diamonds at current market value less 15%, by bank transfer, with a ₹1,000 pickup fee. Buyback policy.

Cleaning, polishing and a check of the setting, for every lab-grown diamond piece, for as long as you own it. We look at the piece first and tell you upfront if there is any charge. It does not cover wear and tear, lost stones or accidental damage.

Use our ring size chart to measure at home with a thread or a ring you own. If you are unsure, message us and we will help you choose.

Tell us within 14 days of delivery and we resize it once for free, where the design allows. Eternity bands and Gold Vermeil rings usually cannot be resized.

See our necklace length guide and bracelet size chart.

Soak it in warm water with a drop of mild soap, brush gently behind the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Avoid bleach and toothpaste. Full care guide.

Yes. Share a sketch, a photo or a family piece you want to reimagine. A designer sends you a 3D render to approve before anything is made, and a fixed quote with a delivery date. Design your own.

Yes. Most designs can be changed: gold colour and purity, diamond shape and size, or size. Message us with the design and what you would like changed.

Bespoke design has a fee of ₹2,000 plus GST, which we adjust against your order if you go ahead. Custom pieces are quoted for each design.

Chaitra Fine Jewels is an Indian jeweller making lab-grown diamond jewellery in BIS-hallmarked gold, with a lighter Gold Vermeil range. Our pieces are made in Surat by karigars with more than 25 years of experience. Chaitra is a brand of Great Tsango OPC Private Limited, Bengaluru. Our story.

In Surat, India's diamond capital, by karigars with more than 25 years of experience in fine jewellery. Our corporate office is in HSR Layout, Bengaluru.

WhatsApp or call +91 90199 21267, or email shine@chaitra.co.