Lab Grown vs Natural Diamond: A Complete Guide

Diamonds have long been symbols of beauty, love, and luxury. For centuries, natural diamonds mined from the earth have dominated the jewelry market. But in recent years, lab grown diamonds have surged in popularity. Jewelers, buyers, and investors are now asking an important question: lab grown vs natural diamond—what’s the difference, and which is the better choice?

This guide will break down the key differences between natural and lab grown diamonds. We’ll explore how each is made, their physical and chemical properties, cost, environmental impact, resale value, and what you should consider before buying.

What Are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth’s mantle under intense heat and high pressure high temperature conditions. This process takes billions of years and requires rare geological environments that are nearly impossible to replicate. As carbon atoms bond together in a crystal lattice, the hardest known natural substance on earth is formed.

These diamonds are eventually brought closer to the earth’s surface through volcanic eruptions, where they can be mined from kimberlite pipes or alluvial deposits. Because of this ancient and natural formation process, every natural diamond carries a unique history that dates back more than a billion years. In many ways, owning a natural diamond is like holding a small piece of earth’s past.

When people wonder whether diamonds are real, natural diamonds represent the traditional answer. They are often viewed as the ultimate expression of rarity, permanence, and natural beauty. Jewelers and buyers continue to value them not only for their sparkle but also for the extraordinary timescale of their creation.

From a scientific perspective, natural diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to lab created diamonds. Both are made of pure carbon, arranged in a perfect crystal structure, and both are considered real diamonds by experts. The difference lies in origin. Natural diamonds are formed under geological conditions over vast spans of time, while lab diamonds are grown in a lab within weeks or months.

The Gemological Institute of America and other grading authorities confirm that natural and lab grown stones can share the same grades of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. In fact, to the naked eye, most people cannot distinguish between a grown diamond vs natural diamonds without specialized equipment.

Because of their natural origin, mined diamonds are often chosen for heirlooms, engagement rings, and luxury diamond ring designs. Buyers who prioritize long-term value often select natural diamonds because they historically retain more resale strength than their lab grown diamonds counterparts.

Still, the modern debate of lab grown or natural diamonds is reshaping the jewelry industry. On one side are consumers who want the timeless tradition of mined stones. On the other are those who see no difference in beauty or durability and would rather choose lab grown for affordability and sustainability. Both sides are valid, since grown and natural diamonds are both beautiful and diamonds real, with their own strengths and limitations.

Ultimately, the decision between natural and lab grown diamonds comes down to values. If the symbolic weight of holding something formed over billions of years matters most, a mined stone is the right choice. If innovation, price, and ethics carry more importance, then a lab created diamond provides equal brilliance.

Key Traits of Natural Diamonds

• Formed over billions of years in the earth.
• Composed of pure carbon arranged in a crystal lattice.
• Each stone has unique inclusions, growth patterns, and “fingerprints.”
• Mined, cut, and polished before reaching the consumer market.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds, also called man-made or synthetic diamonds, are created in laboratories using advanced technology that replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form.

Two main methods are used to create lab grown diamonds:

1. High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) – Carbon is exposed to extreme heat and pressure, mimicking the earth’s natural diamond-forming process.
2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) – Carbon-rich gases are heated, and carbon atoms bond layer by layer to form a diamond crystal.

Key Traits of Lab Grown Diamonds

• Produced in weeks or months instead of billions of years.
• Have the same chemical composition as natural diamonds (pure carbon).
• Can be cut, polished, and certified just like mined diamonds.
• Cost significantly less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality.

Lab Grown vs Natural Diamond: Appearance

From a visual perspective, lab grown and natural diamonds look nearly identical. Both can achieve excellent brilliance, sparkle, and fire when properly cut. Even professional jewelers often need specialized equipment to distinguish between them.

Similarities

• Same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale).
• Same refractive index, giving them equal sparkle.
• Both available in all shapes, sizes, and cuts.

Differences

• Lab grown diamonds may display subtle growth patterns or fluorescence under magnification.
• Natural diamonds carry inclusions and trace elements that formed naturally over time.

For the average buyer, these differences are not noticeable. To most people, lab grown and natural diamonds appear identical.

Price Comparison

One of the most significant differences between lab grown and natural diamonds is price.

• Natural diamonds command higher prices due to their rarity, mining costs, and market demand.
• Lab grown diamonds can cost 30% to 60% less than natural diamonds of similar quality.

For example, a 1-carat natural diamond with excellent cut, color, and clarity might cost $6,000, while a comparable lab grown diamond could be priced at $2,500 to $3,500.

This makes lab grown diamonds particularly attractive to budget-conscious buyers who want a larger or higher-quality stone without the hefty price tag.

Environmental and Ethical Impact

Sustainability and ethics play a major role in today’s diamond market.

Natural Diamonds

Mining diamonds requires large-scale operations that disrupt ecosystems, consume resources, and sometimes create social and ethical concerns around labor practices. While initiatives like the Kimberley Process aim to prevent conflict diamonds, the industry still faces scrutiny.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds require advanced technology, but their production generally has a smaller environmental footprint compared to large mining operations. They are also free from concerns about conflict diamonds, making them appealing to socially conscious buyers.

However, it’s important to note that creating diamonds in labs does require energy, and the sustainability impact depends on whether renewable energy sources are used.

Resale Value and Investment

Another critical factor in the lab grown vs natural diamond debate is resale value.

• Natural diamonds tend to hold value better because they are finite and rare. Though diamond resale prices are often lower than purchase prices, natural diamonds have a long history of being seen as valuable.
• Lab grown diamonds typically have little to no resale value. As technology improves and production increases, lab diamonds are becoming more affordable, which reduces their resale market demand.

For buyers looking at diamonds as a long-term investment or heirloom, natural diamonds remain the stronger choice.

Popularity and Market Trends

Lab grown diamonds are gaining traction, especially among younger buyers. Millennials and Gen Z consumers are often more price-sensitive and environmentally conscious, making lab grown diamonds an appealing option.

According to recent industry reports:

• Lab grown diamonds represent a rapidly growing share of the diamond jewelry market.
• Natural diamonds still dominate high-end luxury and investment-grade markets.

Some luxury jewelry brands have embraced lab grown diamonds, while others continue to emphasize the rarity and prestige of natural stones.

Certification and Grading

Both natural and lab grown diamonds can be certified and graded by reputable organizations such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

Grading covers the 4Cs:

• Carat weight
• Cut
• Color
• Clarity

When purchasing either type of diamond, always request a certification report to ensure quality and authenticity.

Which Should You Choose?

When deciding between a lab grown and a natural diamond, consider the following factors:

Choose a Natural Diamond If:

• You want a stone with long-term value.
• You see diamonds as an investment or family heirloom.
• You prefer a gemstone formed naturally over billions of years.

Choose a Lab Grown Diamond If:

• You want to maximize size and quality at a lower price.
• You are environmentally or socially conscious.
• You value appearance and affordability more than rarity.

Common Misconceptions

1. Lab grown diamonds are fake.
2. False. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite.
3. Lab grown diamonds don’t sparkle like natural ones.
4. False. They have the same optical properties and can sparkle just as brilliantly.
5. Natural diamonds are always more ethical.
6. Not necessarily. While many natural diamonds are ethically sourced, concerns remain. Lab grown options remove these uncertainties.

Book a Diamond Appointment 

The debate over lab grown vs natural diamond reflects more than just science and price. It touches on values, sustainability, and tradition.

Natural diamonds connect us to the earth’s history and have long symbolized rarity, permanence, and luxury. Lab grown diamonds, meanwhile, offer a modern, ethical, and budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing beauty or durability.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on what matters most to you—heritage and long-term value, or innovation and affordability.

Whichever you choose, both lab grown and natural diamonds can deliver the brilliance, romance, and timeless appeal that make diamonds so special.

Ready to experience the brilliance of a natural diamond in person?

Book a Diamond Appointment  with our experts and let us help you find the perfect stone for your special moment.