VISIT US AT 1127 QUEENSBOROUGH BLVD #105 OR CALL (843) 936-3516
VISIT US AT 1127 QUEENSBOROUGH BLVD #105 OR CALL (843) 936-3516
When shopping for an engagement ring or other fine jewelry, one of the biggest decisions you may face is choosing between a natural and lab-grown diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, but they’re created differently from diamonds formed naturally within the Earth. While the two can look virtually identical, there are important differences in their origin, price, rarity and potential long-term value to consider.Neither option is necessarily better for every buyer. Your budget, preferences and reasons for buying a diamond can all influence which makes more sense for you.
If you’re deciding between lab-grown vs. natural diamonds, visit Sandler’s Diamonds & Time in Mt. Pleasant, SC, to compare your options and find the right diamond for your jewelry and budget.
A natural diamond is a diamond that formed within the Earth through natural geological processes. Most natural diamonds formed billions of years ago under the intense heat and pressure found deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Volcanic activity eventually carried these diamonds closer to the surface, where they can be mined.
After mining, rough diamonds are evaluated before being cut and polished to bring out their brilliance. Finished diamonds can then be graded according to characteristics such as cut, color, clarity and carat weight.
This natural origin is a major part of the appeal of natural diamonds. Because they take billions of years to form and the available supply is finite, natural diamonds also offer a level of rarity that lab-grown diamonds cannot replicate.
A lab-grown diamond is created in a controlled laboratory environment rather than forming naturally within the Earth. Two main methods are used to produce them:
Despite their different origins, lab-grown and natural diamonds have essentially the same chemical composition and physical properties. Both are made mostly of carbon and share the same structure that gives diamonds their signature sparkle and durability.
The biggest differences between a lab diamond and natural diamond are how each is formed, how rare they are, how much they cost and their potential resale value:
| Factor | Natural diamonds | Lab-grown diamonds |
| Origin | Formed naturally within the Earth | Created in a laboratory |
| Composition | Carbon | Carbon |
| Appearance | Diamond | Diamond |
| Hardness | 10 on Mohs scale | 10 on Mohs scale |
| Grading | Evaluated using diamond grading standards | Evaluated using diamond grading standards |
| Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Rarity | Naturally occurring and finite | Manufactured |
| Resale/value considerations | Stronger on secondary market | Greater depreciation |
Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth over immense periods of time, with many being billions of years old. They’re eventually brought close enough to the surface to be recovered through mining.
Lab-grown diamonds are manufactured in a matter of weeks using HPHT or CVD technology. These processes reproduce conditions that allow carbon atoms to develop into a diamond crystal.
When comparing natural and lab-grown diamonds, appearance alone usually isn’t enough to tell them apart. Both offer the brilliance, fire and sparkle diamonds are known for and come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors and clarity grades.
Quality also varies with both types of diamonds. A lab-grown diamond isn’t automatically better or worse than a natural diamond. Factors such as cut, color and clarity play an important role in how beautiful and brilliant an individual diamond looks.
Price is one of the most noticeable differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds cost much less than natural diamonds with comparable characteristics.
The lower price can make it possible to choose a larger carat weight or higher color and clarity grades without exceeding your budget. Someone who prioritizes the visual size of an engagement ring, for example, can purchase a larger lab-grown center stone for the same budget.
Natural diamonds are finite natural resources, and their geological rarity contributes to their appeal and market value. Lab-grown diamonds, in contrast, can continue to be manufactured as production capacity increases.
This difference has important implications for value. Lab-grown diamond prices have fallen considerably as production has expanded and technology has improved. They also generally have a weaker secondary market and may depreciate more after purchase.
Natural diamonds aren’t guaranteed investments and can also sell for less than their original retail price. However, they generally have a more established resale market than their lab-grown counterparts.
You generally can’t reliably tell the difference between a natural and lab-grown diamond simply by looking at them. To the unaided eye, two diamonds with similar characteristics can appear virtually identical, whether they’re lab-grown or not.
Standard diamond testers may not always determine origin either because both stones possess the same physical and chemical characteristics of diamonds. Gemological laboratories and trained professionals instead use specialized equipment and identifying characteristics to determine whether a diamond formed naturally or was created in a laboratory.
That’s one reason it’s important to purchase from a reputable jeweler and review the grading documentation accompanying a diamond. The documentation should clearly identify its origin.
Natural and lab-grown diamonds are both evaluated according to the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. These characteristics can help you understand and compare the quality of individual diamonds.
Independent gemological organizations like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI) evaluate diamonds and issue reports describing their characteristics. The grading documentation should also clearly disclose whether the diamond is natural or laboratory-grown.
A grading report can be especially helpful when comparing diamonds that appear similar. Rather than judging a diamond solely by its size or appearance, you can compare characteristics such as its color, clarity and proportions before making a decision.
Lab-grown diamonds offer many of the same physical and visual qualities as natural diamonds, but their lower price and manufactured origin create distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Natural diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry because of their rarity, history and natural origin.
Choosing between lab-grown vs. natural diamonds ultimately comes down to what you value most:
Specifications can tell you a lot about a diamond, but they don’t always tell you which one you’ll prefer in person. Visit Sandler’s Diamonds & Time in Mt. Pleasant, SC, to compare diamond options, settings and price points and find the right combination for your budget and style.
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with essentially the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds. They shouldn’t be confused with diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia, which are different materials designed to resemble diamonds.
No. A lab-grown and natural diamond with similar cut, color and clarity characteristics can look virtually identical to the unaided eye. Specialized equipment can be used to determine a diamond’s origin.
Lab-grown diamonds have the same hardness as natural diamonds and are suitable for everyday jewelry, including engagement rings. Like natural diamonds, however, they can still chip or become damaged under certain circumstances and should be cared for properly.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds with comparable characteristics. The exact difference depends on the individual stones and current market prices.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds can be used in engagement rings and other fine jewelry just like natural diamonds. They’re available in popular shapes such as round, oval, cushion, emerald, pear and princess and can be paired with the same types of settings and precious metals.
