Lab grown vs natural diamonds: the debate every engagement ring shopper eventually faces. Both are real diamonds, both sparkle beautifully, yet they differ in origin, value, and meaning.
What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
Lab grown diamonds, also known as lab created diamonds, are produced in modern laboratories using advanced technology that mirrors the way diamonds form in nature. They share the same chemical composition and brilliant appearance as natural diamonds, with the key difference being their origin. Isn’t it remarkable that science has advanced to the point where we can recreate one of nature’s rarest wonders?
How They’re Made
- HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature): A small diamond seed is placed in a pressurized chamber with carbon and subjected to intense heat and pressure. The carbon atoms bond to the seed and slowly form a larger crystal.
- CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): A thin diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gases. When heated, the gases break down and release carbon atoms, which deposit layer by layer until a diamond grows.
Why Some Choose Lab Grown
Affordability: Lab grown diamonds typically cost 30 to 40 percent less than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality. For couples who prioritize budget or want a larger stone without the higher price tag, this is appealing and useful when comparing lab grown diamond vs natural diamond cost.
Quality without compromise: Because they’re grown in controlled environments, lab diamonds often achieve excellent grades in color and clarity. This means you don’t have to compromise on quality to stay within budget, and for many buyers, this is what seals the deal.
Bigger look for the budget: Because of their lower price point, lab grown diamonds make it possible to purchase a higher carat size or higher color/clarity grade than one might afford with a natural diamond. This is often a key consideration in lab vs natural diamond engagement rings.
Sustainability claims: Many lab grown diamonds are promoted as eco-friendly since they do not involve mining. However, the energy required to create them, especially through HPHT, can be considerable. Some producers now invest in renewable energy to address this concern.
14K Yellow Gold Lab Grown 3.02ctw Three Stone Oval Engagement Ring
What Is a Natural Diamond?
Natural diamonds are born in the heart of the earth, roughly 90 to 150 miles below the surface. Over 1 to 3 billion years, intense heat and pressure slowly transform carbon into diamonds. Volcanic eruptions carry these ancient stones closer to the surface, where they can eventually be mined. Unlike lab-grown diamonds, natural stones carry subtle traces of radiation decay, scientific markers of their incredible age and authenticity.
Rarity and age: Each natural diamond is a one-of-a-kind gemstone that took billions of years to form. Their rarity is not only geological but also symbolic, making them a treasured choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and anniversary rings.
Value retention: Because of their natural origins and limited supply, natural diamonds historically retain a stronger resale value than lab grown alternatives. What sets them apart is that they retain real, lasting value, something lab grown diamonds do not. This reassures owners and naturally strengthens their connection to the stone, making them treasures to be cherished and passed down through generations.
Tradition and romance: For over a century, natural diamonds have been the ultimate symbol of love and commitment. Their history is intertwined with engagement traditions worldwide, giving them emotional significance. Recent celebrity engagements, such as those of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez, all reaffirm this tradition by choosing natural diamonds.
Emotional connection: Many couples feel that a diamond formed by nature carries a deeper story than one created in a lab. A natural diamond reflects permanence and continuity.
14K White Gold 1.50ctw Round Diamond with Baguette Halo Engagement Ring
Lab Grown Diamond vs. Natural Diamond Cost
The biggest distinction between the two types of diamonds is price.
- Lab grown: Usually 30 to 50 percent less expensive than natural diamonds. However, prices continue to decline as production increases, which makes resale value unpredictable.
- Natural: More expensive because of rarity and demand. Natural diamonds hold stronger value over time and are more likely to be cherished as heirlooms.
Environmental and Ethical Factors
Lab grown diamonds are often promoted as sustainable since they don’t involve traditional mining. However, their production requires substantial energy, often sourced from non-renewable power.
Which Should You Choose?
Both lab grown and natural diamonds sparkle with undeniable beauty, yet the stories they tell are very different. Lab grown diamonds often appeal to couples drawn to size and affordability; a modern choice that offers brilliance without stretching the budget. Natural diamonds, on the other hand, speak to those who want more than sparkle alone. They carry the weight of history, the rarity of nature, and the kind of meaning that makes them treasured for a lifetime.
14K Yellow Gold 3.10 ct Lab Grown Radiant Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
FAQs
What is the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?
The main difference lies in origin. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth over billions of years through heat and pressure, while lab grown diamonds are created in laboratories using advanced technology in just weeks. Both share the same chemical composition and appearance, but natural diamonds are rare and carry long-term value, whereas lab diamonds are man-made and more affordable.
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same crystal structure, hardness, and brilliance as natural diamonds. The only difference is that one is created by nature and the other by technology.
Do lab grown diamonds look the same as natural diamonds?
To the naked eye, lab grown and natural diamonds look virtually identical. Both sparkle in the same way and have the same physical and optical properties. Specialized equipment, however, can detect subtle differences in their growth patterns.
Which is more expensive: lab grown or natural diamonds?
Natural diamonds are more expensive because of their rarity and the billions of years it takes for them to form. Lab grown diamonds typically cost 30–50% less for the same size and quality, but they do not retain value in the same way.
Do lab grown diamonds have resale value?
Lab grown diamonds generally have low resale value. As production increases and prices continue to drop, their market demand is uncertain. In contrast, natural diamonds tend to hold stronger long-term value and desirability.
Are lab grown diamonds more sustainable than natural diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are often marketed as sustainable since they avoid traditional mining, but the process still requires large amounts of energy, often from non-renewable sources. Responsibly sourced natural diamonds contribute to jobs and communities worldwide, and industry initiatives like the Kimberley Process ensure they’re conflict-free.
Can jewelers tell the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?
Most jewelers cannot distinguish them by sight alone. Specialized gemological equipment is required to identify a diamond’s origin, since lab grown and natural diamonds look the same to the eye.
Which is better for an engagement ring: lab grown or natural diamond?
That depends on priorities. Lab grown diamonds are attractive for size and affordability. Natural diamonds offer rarity, tradition, and long-term value, making them the preferred choice for many couples who want an enduring symbol of love.
Written By: Gabriel Editorial Team
