Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds: A Complete Guide

The world of diamonds has long been associated with luxury, romance, and timeless beauty. However, as technology advances and consumer preferences shift, the diamond industry is witnessing a significant transformation. At the heart of this change is the growing popularity of lab grown diamonds, which offer a compelling alternative to their natural counterparts.

This guide explores the nuances of lab grown vs natural diamonds, providing insights into their formation, cost, and impact on the environment, exploring aspects such as sustainability, cost, ethical considerations, and market value. Whether you’re considering purchasing a diamond for an engagement ring or simply curious about these sparkling gems, understanding the nuances between lab grown and natural diamonds will empower you to make an informed decision that aligns with your values and desires.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds, which are also known as lab created diamonds, are made in a lab. They are not fake or low-quality diamonds. Instead, they have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.

The way these diamonds are made copies the natural process of diamond formation in the Earth’s mantle. Using advanced methods like Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), small diamond seeds act as a base, allowing larger diamonds to grow. After this, the lab created diamonds are cut, polished, and graded like natural diamonds. This creates beautiful diamonds that shine with the same sparkle. The appeal of lab grown diamond vs real diamond lies in their affordability and ethical production, offering a sustainable alternative without compromising on quality.

What Are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds are amazing gemstones with a long history. They form billions of years ago deep in the Earth. Volcanic activity brings them closer to the Earth’s surface. It is the extreme pressure and heat in the Earth that help carbon atoms turn into these special stones.

For many years, people have loved natural diamonds for their hardness, shine, and rarity. A natural diamond’s journey from deep in the Earth to beautiful jewelry includes steps like mining, careful extraction, sorting, cutting, polishing, and grading. This process makes each natural diamond unique and valuable.

Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds: Key Differences

Man made diamonds and earth mined diamonds look the same to most people, but they come from different places. Natural diamonds have been formed deep in the Earth for millions of years. People mine them from different spots around the world. In contrast, lab grown diamonds are made in labs in just a few weeks using advanced technology.

Even though they form in different ways, lab grown diamonds share the same optical properties, hardness, and shine as natural diamonds. This makes it very hard to tell them apart without special tests by gem experts.

The Look: Lab grown diamonds vs mined diamonds

When we talk about looks, both lab grown and natural diamonds can be very beautiful and sparkling. Expert gemologists use special tools to tell them apart. Most people can’t see a difference in clarity grades or how the stones sparkle. Both kinds of diamonds have the same bright shine and light show.

Lab grown diamonds usually have excellent clarity. This is due to their controlled making process, which reduces inclusions. 

Cost Comparison: Lab grown diamond vs real diamond price

Lab created diamonds are a cheaper choice compared to natural diamonds, and they still have great quality. These diamonds usually cost about 30% less than mined ones, which makes them a good option for people on a budget. Natural diamonds, on the other hand, are more expensive because they are rare and come from traditional mining. 

Here is a price comparison table for lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds, based on similar carat weight and quality:

Carat Weight	Type	Cut	Color	Clarity	Approximate Price (USD)
1.0 Carat	Natural Diamond	Excellent	D	VS2	$8,000 – $9,000
1.0 Carat	Lab Grown Diamond	Excellent	D	VS2	$1,800 – $2,500
2.0 Carat	Natural Diamond	Excellent	G	SI1	$8,050 – $84,360
2.0 Carat	Lab Grown Diamond	Excellent	G	SI1	$1,234 – $1,343
3.0 Carat	Natural Diamond	Excellent	H	VS1	$18,580 – $150,220
3.0 Carat	Lab Grown Diamond	Excellent	H	VS1	$1,903 – $2,000

Environmental Impact

Lab grown diamonds are a better choice for the environment than natural diamonds. Making lab diamonds uses less energy and creates little carbon emissions. This means they have less harm to the earth. On the other hand, diamond mining disrupts a lot of land and damages habitats. When people choose lab-grown diamonds, they help support sustainable practices. They can also lower their carbon footprint while still enjoying the beauty of these amazing gems.

Ethical Concerns

The diamond industry has faced questions about human rights and conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process started in 2003 to help stop conflict diamonds from being sold. Still, there are problems with working conditions and fair trade in some areas.

Lab grown diamonds bring more honesty and tracking in their supply chain. This helps buyers choose more ethical options. They can feel good knowing that their diamond is not linked to human rights issues or bad mining practices. However, it’s important to do your research and pick reliable lab grown diamond sources that focus on ethical production. 

Chemical Composition

Both lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are made of pure carbon. This is why they look and behave almost the same. They are both very hard and have a high refractive index that makes them sparkle. They also have great thermal conductivity.

Even though their chemical makeup is similar, there can be slight differences in trace elements. Natural diamonds might have small amounts of nitrogen, but lab grown diamonds usually do not. However, these differences in trace elements do not change how the diamond looks or how strong it is.

Resale Value

When we talk about resale value, natural diamonds have usually been better. This is because they are rare and have been in the diamond market for a long time. But the market for lab grown diamonds is still growing.

Right now, lab grown diamonds often sell for less compared to natural diamonds. This difference comes from things like the brand’s reputation, the quality of the lab grown diamond, and how people view lab grown diamonds in the resale market.

Grading and Certification

In the diamond industry, lab created diamonds and natural diamonds are graded and certified in similar ways. They are both examined based on the 4Cs: carat, cut, color, and clarity. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) give certificates that explain the qualities of each type of diamond. This helps people choose wisely when buying lab-grown or natural diamonds.

Buying Process

When faced with the decision of buying between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds, many find that lab diamonds offer a wider array of options. These diamonds are readily available in various shapes, carat weights, colors, and qualities, making it easier for consumers to find a diamond that fits their specific preferences and budget. This accessibility is one of the key advantages of lab grown diamonds over their natural counterparts, providing buyers with more flexibility and choice in their purchase.

Pros and cons of a lab grown diamond

Lab grown diamonds come with many benefits. They are more affordable than natural diamonds. This lower price means you can choose larger carat sizes or higher clarity grades while staying within your budget. Since these diamonds are made in labs, they also have a smaller environmental impact. This helps reduce the ethical worries tied to mining practices.

On the downside, some people feel that not being natural is a negative. The market for reselling lab grown diamonds is still growing. This means their long-term value is not yet set like that of natural diamonds.

Pros and cons of a natural diamond

Natural diamonds have been valued for many years because they are rare and beautiful. They form over millions of years, and each stone has its own special features. This makes them interesting and attractive. People often see diamonds as a symbol of lasting love, and they are popular choices for engagement rings and sentimental jewelry.

However, there are some concerns about natural diamonds. Diamond mining can harm the environment. There are also ongoing problems with unfair mining practices in some places.

Lab grown diamonds vs natural diamonds which is better?

When deciding between lab diamonds and natural mined diamonds, several factors come into play, including cost, sustainability, quality, and personal values. Here’s a comprehensive comparison:

Lab Grown Diamonds

• price: Lab grown diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds, often costing 30-85% less. This allows consumers to purchase larger or higher-quality stones within the same budget.
• Quality: These diamonds can be produced with high clarity and fewer imperfections due to controlled manufacturing processes. They often receive higher purity ratings compared to natural diamonds.
• Sustainability: Lab diamonds are considered more sustainable as they require less energy and water than mining natural diamonds. Many labs use renewable energy sources, reducing their carbon footprint.
• Ethical Considerations: Since they are created in labs, these diamonds avoid the ethical issues associated with mining, such as human rights abuses and environmental degradation.

Natural Diamonds

• Rarity and Value: Natural diamonds are unique and formed over billions of years, which adds to their rarity and potential long-term value. They often retain or even appreciate in value over time.
• Emotional Significance: Many people value the historical and emotional significance of owning a diamond that has formed naturally over millennia.
• Environmental Impact: Mining for natural diamonds can have significant environmental impacts, including deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. However, efforts like the Kimberley Process aim to mitigate some ethical concerns related to conflict diamonds

Will people know if I have a Lab Diamond?

Unless you explain it, most people won’t be able to tell a lab grown diamond from a natural diamond just by looking at them. They have the same physical and optical properties.

Even jewelers who do not have special tools will find it hard to see the difference. Only gemologists with advanced equipment and training can spot the tiny distinctions in their internal structure or trace elements that set them apart. You can be sure that a high-quality lab grown diamond will sparkle just as much as a natural diamond on your finger.

Can you help me choose the right Lab Diamond?

Absolutely! Looking for lab grown diamonds can be fun. Our Finegrown team is here to help you through the steps. We want to make sure you find the right stone. We will explain clarity grades, the different shapes of diamonds, and why it matters to choose diamonds with good certifications.

We’ll talk about your budget and style. We will also answer any questions to help you make a good choice. Finding the right lab diamond is about finding a stone that meets your needs and matches your style and values. Get in touch!

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