Diamonds. Rounds, radiants, ovals—so many cut, color, carat, and clarity options. They are truly a vibe!
Known as a symbol of luxury, love, and commitment, diamonds—and diamond jewelry—have so much meaning tied up in them. From grandma’s beautiful, depression-era chip of an engagement ring to the bold beauty of a celebrity’s stunning red carpet necklace, the scintillating sparkle lures you in.
In recent years, a new contender has emerged in the glittering, diamond gemstone world—lab-grown diamonds. These diamonds, created in high-tech laboratories instead of mined from deep within the earth, offer a compelling alternative to their natural counterparts.
So, how do lab-grown diamonds stack up against natural diamonds? Are they really the same thing? And which one should you choose?
In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about lab-grown vs. natural diamonds—from their formation and environmental impact, to their price and resale value.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or man-made diamonds, are created using advanced technological processes that replicate the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth’s mantle.
Unlike diamond simulants (which are not made from diamond materials), lab-grown or synthetic diamonds are comprised of the same material, and have the same properties as naturally formed diamonds, which are pure carbon crystallized in an isotropic 3D form, and have identical chemical and physical components.
Lab diamonds have actually been around for decades, but were used mainly in industrial capacities like drilling. They are made by two primary methods:
- High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
Both methods result in real diamonds—chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has said that lab-created diamonds have the same chemical, physical, and visual properties as natural diamonds.
Lab diamonds, like their mined counterparts, are unique and have the same inclusions and color variances. The only difference is that they’re manufactured above ground.
A History of Natural Diamonds
Natural diamonds are formed deep beneath the Earth’s surface, over billions of years, through a process of intense heat and pressure. They are found in kimberlite mines, which are pipes of minerals and alluvial deposits in various regions around the world, including Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia.
Natural diamonds often contain small inclusions or color variations from other minerals that are in the earth, and are part of its geological history.
Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds Facts
If you’re considering whether to jump on the lab-grown diamond train and fully commit to leaving natural diamonds in the past, here are a few facts and questions for you to consider.
Is There A Difference In Appearance?
To the naked eye and even under a high-powered microscope, lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are virtually indistinguishable from each other. They share the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), offer identical brilliance or fire, and have the same chemical composition (pure carbon).
And both lab and mined diamonds have unique inclusions and color variations within the stone that make them special. Lab diamonds are not all the same. The crystal grown above ground has to be cut and polished just like the rough material mined from the earth.
In addition, only super advanced equipment can accurately identify the very subtle differences in the crystal or find trace elements.
Also, all lab-grown diamonds of a certain size and up, and some mined diamonds, do have a laser-inscribed laboratory report certification number on the side of the gemstone that will identify it as mined or lab-grown. But that number isn’t visible with the naked eye.
Environmental Impact Of Lab Diamonds And Mined Diamonds
While mined diamonds have long been associated with environmental issues, early lab-grown facilities used considerable energy. Fortunately, that has been changed to limit the impact.
Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds:
- Lower carbon footprint
- No habitat destruction or large-scale land disruption of land areas
- Requires significant energy (especially HPHT), but renewable energy like solar panels is now used by most companies
Cons of Mined Natural Diamonds:
- Diamond mining often leads to substantial environmental degradation and the displacement of ecosystems
- Some diamond mining companies are improving sustainability through ethical sourcing and carbon-neutral mining
Ethics and Sourcing of Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds
One of the most significant advantages of lab-grown diamonds is their traceability. Since they’re grown in a laboratory, customers know where they originate, eliminating concerns about conflict diamonds (also known as blood diamonds).
In response to the public outcry against blood diamonds, some natural diamond companies have started to offer “conflict-free” certifications, but traceability is much more complex and sometimes disputed.
Cost And Value of Lab-Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds
Currently, lab-grown diamonds are generally 60–90% less expensive than the exact same size, grade, color, and clarity of their mined diamond counterparts. While their prices have fluctuated in the past, recently the price has stabilized.
Generally, people have had to prioritize their wants when choosing a natural diamond to fit their budget. If they wanted a larger-sized gemstone, then they would have to compromise on color or clarity. With the advent of lab diamonds, customers can usually afford a bigger stone of higher quality.
As for resale value, unless you’ve invested in museum-quality jewelry, if you need to sell your items, you’ll only get about 10-20% of their value from a pawn or resale store. The idea that you can profit from natural diamonds has been one of the biggest myths perpetrated by the jewelry industry for decades.
That’s why most people pass down their jewelry and have it restyled—they simply cannot get back the value of their purchase from a resale.
So, for example, if you spend $10,000 on a mined diamond engagement ring, you can expect to sell it to a pawn shop for at best, $2000. That means you’ve essentially lost $8000. If you bought the same size lab-grown engagement ring for $1000, though, you would only be able to sell it for $200 and realize a loss of $800.
Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamond Durability
Surprise, there’s no difference here at all! Lab-grown and natural diamonds are equally durable, making them suitable for daily wear, including engagement rings.
Diamond Certification and Grading
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds can be certified by independent diamond laboratories. Top gemological institutes include GIA (Gemological Institute of America), IGI (International Gemological Institute), and AGS (American Gem Society).
A good rule of thumb is to make sure any diamond you buy (lab or natural) is certified and laser inscribed with the certification number on the side of the stone.
How to Choose the Best Diamond For You
It really comes down to personal choice. Choose a lab-grown diamond if you:
- Want a larger or higher-quality stone for less money
- Care deeply about environmental sustainability
- Value transparency and ethical sourcing
A mined or natural diamond may be best for you if you:
- Want a traditional or sentimental value attached to the stone
- Are concerned about heirloom value
- Prefer the allure of rarity and geological history
Buying a lab-grown or natural diamond ultimately comes down to your values, budget, and preferences. Both options offer stunning beauty, durability, and symbolism, and withstand daily wear.
As with all things technical, lab-grown diamonds are rapidly gaining acceptance and popularity – and for good reason! So no matter your choice, the best diamond is the one that brings you joy and fits your lifestyle.
Lab Grown Diamond vs Natural Diamond: Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab diamonds as good as real diamonds?
Yes, lab diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They have the same hardness, brilliance, and sparkle. The only difference is how they’re made—lab diamonds are grown in controlled environments, while natural diamonds form over billions of years underground.
Which diamond is best, natural or lab-grown?
The best diamond depends on your priorities. Lab-grown diamonds offer better value and are more environmentally friendly. Natural diamonds may hold higher resale value and emotional significance for some buyers. Both are real diamonds—choosing the best comes down to budget and preference.
What are the disadvantages of lab-grown diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds generally have lower resale value, and some buyers still prefer the rarity of natural stones. They also require significant energy to produce, and not all labs are equally transparent about their environmental practices.
Why not buy a lab-grown diamond?
You might choose not to buy a lab-grown diamond if resale value, natural rarity, or long-term investment potential are important to you. Some people also prefer the symbolism of a naturally formed diamond for engagement rings or heirlooms.
Create Personalized, Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry with Scott’s Custom Jewelers
Have questions about choosing the right diamond? Ready to create the engagement of your dreams without compromising on ethics? Let’s talk all things lab-grown diamonds.