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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Every question we've been asked across WhatsApp, showroom visits, emails, and social DMs over the last two years — grouped, answered honestly, and updated regularly. If something's still unclear, ask us on WhatsApp; we respond personally within the hour during business hours.
About lab-grown diamonds
1. Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes — 100%. A lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond. Both are pure crystallized carbon. The only difference is where the diamond is grown: one inside a laboratory over 6–10 weeks, the other over millions of years inside the earth. The Federal Trade Commission (USA), IGI, GIA, and every major gemological authority recognise lab-grown diamonds as real diamonds.
2. Will anyone be able to tell my diamond is lab-grown?
No — not with the naked eye, not with a jeweller's loupe, and not even with most gemological instruments. Only specialised spectroscopy equipment at grading labs can distinguish lab-grown from mined diamonds. Your diamond will sparkle the same, feel the same, and be graded on the same 4Cs.
3. Why choose a lab-grown diamond over a mined diamond?
Three reasons: price (lab-grown cost 60–80% less for the same grade), traceability (every stone can be traced from the lab to the final setting), and ethics (no mining, no environmental disruption, no conflict concerns). For customers who care about genuine value over tradition-for-tradition's-sake, lab-grown is the rational choice.
4. What's the difference between CVD and HPHT diamonds?
Both are growing methods. CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) layers carbon atoms onto a diamond seed in a low-pressure chamber over 6–8 weeks. HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature) mimics natural diamond formation using intense pressure and heat. The end result — a pure, single-crystal diamond — is identical. For jewellery use, both are visually and structurally indistinguishable.
5. Are lab-grown diamonds as durable as mined diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale — the same as natural diamonds — and are the hardest known material on earth. They don't scratch, chip, or lose brilliance with everyday wear.
Quality, grading, and certification
6. What are the 4Cs, and how do they apply to lab-grown diamonds?
The 4Cs — Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight — are the universal grading standard for all diamonds, lab-grown included. Cut measures proportions and polish. Colour is graded from D (colourless) to Z (yellow tint). Clarity measures internal inclusions from FL (flawless) to I3 (heavily included). Carat is weight. Every Nivara stone is graded on the same rigorous scale.
7. Is IGI certification reliable for lab-grown diamonds?
IGI (International Gemological Institute) is the world's largest independent gemological laboratory and grades more lab-grown diamonds than any other lab. An IGI certificate guarantees your stone's 4Cs, includes a unique serial number, and includes a laser inscription on the diamond's girdle so you can verify the physical stone matches its certificate — any day, from anywhere.
8. Are all Nivara diamonds IGI-certified?
Yes. Every centre-stone lab-grown diamond at Nivara above 0.30 carats carries a full IGI certificate. Smaller accent stones are certified in batches. You receive the physical certificate with your jewellery, and we encourage you to verify your stone using the serial number on the IGI website before or after your purchase.
9. Why are there still doubts about lab-grown diamonds?
Mostly because the category is newer in India and mined-diamond marketing has been running for 70+ years. But every year the science, the certification process, and the global acceptance of lab-grown get stronger. Major global retailers — including Pandora, which now uses exclusively lab-grown in its diamond line — have validated the category. The doubts are shrinking; the buyers are growing.
Pricing, value, and buyback
10. Why are lab-grown diamonds less expensive than mined diamonds?
Because the supply chain is shorter and more efficient. A mined diamond passes through mining, sorting, cutting centres, multiple wholesalers, and retailers — each adding margin. A lab-grown diamond moves from lab to Nivara to you. No artificial scarcity, no hundred-year marketing spend built into the price. You pay for the diamond, not the supply chain.
11. What does a 1-carat lab-grown diamond cost at Nivara?
A 1-carat, F-colour, VS1-clarity, Excellent-cut lab-grown diamond set in an 18k gold solitaire ring at Nivara typically costs ₹95,000–₹1,30,000, depending on the exact stone and setting. A natural-mined equivalent would run ₹4.5–5.5 lakh. Browse our collections for real-time, published pricing on every design.
12. Do lab-grown diamonds hold their resale value?
The lab-grown resale market is young, so secondary-market pricing is still evolving. That's why Nivara offers a lifetime buyback at 80% of current market value on every stone we sell — a written, concrete commitment. If the market shifts, you're protected.
13. Do you offer an upgrade policy?
Yes. Nivara's lifetime upgrade programme credits the full original value of your stone toward any future purchase of a larger or higher-grade Nivara diamond — perfect for anniversaries, milestones, or whenever you're ready to size up.
Buying from Nivara
14. How do I place an order at Nivara?
Three ways: (1) Browse nivara.diamonds and check out online — our most common path. (2) Visit our Jubilee Hills showroom in Hyderabad, Bangalore boutique, or Indore store to see the piece in person before buying. (3) Message us on WhatsApp for a guided consultation — we'll send videos, cert scans, and recommendations based on your preferences and budget.
15. What payment methods does Nivara accept?
All major payment methods: UPI, credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, Amex), net banking, EMI (Bajaj Finserv, bank EMIs), and full-amount NEFT/IMPS. In-store we also accept bank transfers. For high-value purchases we can arrange milestone payments with a written agreement.
16. Do you ship across India? How long does delivery take?
Yes — we ship pan-India with fully insured, signature-required delivery. Standard delivery is 5–7 business days for ready-to-ship designs. Custom orders take 3–4 weeks depending on complexity. Express delivery within 48 hours is available for stock pieces in Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Indore at no extra charge.
17. Do I have to visit a showroom to buy a Nivara piece?
Not at all — most of our customers buy directly online. But for engagement rings or pieces above ₹2 lakh, we strongly recommend a video consultation or in-person visit. You can request high-resolution photos, live video views of the exact stone, and IGI cert copies before committing. We want you to be completely confident in your diamond.
Design and customisation
18. Do you create custom designs?
Yes — custom is a significant part of what we do. Our in-house design team in Hyderabad works on everything from entirely bespoke rings to modifications of existing designs (change metal, stone shape, add side stones, resize). Every custom piece includes CAD renders for your approval before crafting begins.
19. How long does a custom design take?
A fully bespoke design — from first consultation through final delivery — takes 3–4 weeks on average. This includes concept discussion, CAD design review, stone selection, crafting, polishing, certification check, and QC. Rush orders are possible for proposals or time-sensitive occasions; please tell us the deadline up-front.
Care, repair, and policies
20. How do I care for my lab-grown diamond jewellery?
Lab-grown diamonds are extremely durable, but settings and metal bands can still wear. Avoid wearing your jewellery during heavy physical activity, contact sports, or when handling harsh chemicals. Clean with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush once a month. Professional ultrasonic cleaning is free for Nivara customers at any of our showrooms — bring your piece in any time.
21. What if my jewellery needs repair?
Every Nivara piece comes with a one-year free repair warranty covering manufacturing defects (prong settings, loose stones, clasp issues). Beyond the warranty period, we handle repairs at nominal cost. For customers outside Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Indore, we arrange insured shipping both ways.
22. What's your return and exchange policy?
We offer a 15-day exchange policy for unworn pieces in original condition with certificate and original packaging — 100% of the diamond value and 100% of the gold value is credited toward any other product, with no deductions.
Beyond 15 days, you can
23. Do you offer buyback?
Yes. Every Nivara piece is eligible for our lifetime buyback programme. Here's how it works:
Within 15 days: 100% of diamond value + 100% of gold value credited as exchange toward any other product.
Beyond 15 days (buyback): 85% of diamond value + 100% of gold value returned.
Exchange at any time: 100% of gold value + 100% of diamond value redeemable against any other Nivara product.
In all cases, making charges, discounts availed at purchase, and applicable taxes are deducted. The original IGI certificate must be present. No expiration on buyback eligibility.
23. Do you offer buyback?
Yes. Every Nivara diamond is eligible for our lifetime buyback at 80% of current market value — no expiration, no conditions beyond the original certificate being present. This is unusual in the lab-grown space and we stand by it as our commitment to the value of every stone we sell.
Still have a question?
Message us on WhatsApp, email nivara.diamonds, or visit one of our three boutiques in Hyderabad (Jubilee Hills), Bangalore, or Indore. Our team answers personally — no chatbots, no call centres.
