Diamonds have long symbolized love, elegance, and timeless beauty, but how we source these precious gems is evolving. Natural diamonds, formed over billions of years underneath the earth’s surface, now share the spotlight with lab-grown diamonds, a modern innovation crafted in controlled environments. Both options sparkle brilliantly but differ in origin, price, value, and emotional appeal. Whether shopping for an engagement ring or a statement piece, understanding the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds can help you make the perfect choice.
In the blog below, Solitaire Jewellery offers expert insights into the key differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds. Read to find out more.
Natural Diamonds Vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds- Key Similarities & Differences
Fundamentally, natural diamonds are created over billions of years, while lab-grown artificial diamonds are made in a laboratory within a few weeks. Let’s dive into the actual differences and similarities between these two that set them apart:
- Production Process:
Most diamonds found in nature today originated in the mantle, a layer of the Earth’s crust located deep under the surface. Diamonds are solidified forms of carbon that underwent atomic-level rearrangement due to billions of years of extremely high heat and pressure.
However, lab-grown diamonds are precisely those developed in a lab. These stones are created using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) processes. Both methods use pure carbon, extreme pressure, and high heat to produce the diamond’s crystalline structure.
- Cost:
Their rarity is the main component determining the price difference between lab and natural diamonds. The scarcity of naturally occurring diamonds causes their price to be higher than those manufactured in a laboratory. Because every one of the earth’s naturally occurring diamonds has previously been mined, their supply is limited. In contrast, lab-created diamonds can be mass-produced indefinitely, changing their value away from rarity. Consequently, the cost of lab diamonds is substantially less than that of genuine diamonds.
- Appearance:
In terms of appearance, mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds are visually indistinguishable. Unless you specifically mention it, no one will ever suspect that the diamond in your ring is natural or made in a lab. However, a lab diamond may include a tiny inclusion that wouldn’t be seen in a real diamond. These inclusions are rarely apparent without the use of a magnifying glass. For those who prioritize a diamond’s aesthetics above all else, lab diamonds offer a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing quality, as they consistently match the brightness and lustre of genuine diamonds.
- Certification:
Due to their chemical indistinguishability, the rigorous requirements for grading diamonds are the same for lab-grown and naturally occurring diamonds. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) equally evaluates and certifies natural and lab-grown diamonds.
- Colour:
Regarding colour grading, a good quality lab-grown diamond will be treated identically to a genuine diamond. Most people go for gems of natural and lab-grown diamonds in the near-colourless G and J grades because there is no visible distinction between the two types.
Final Verdict- Choosing the Right One
There may not be a visible distinction between lab-grown and naturally-grown diamonds, but the distinctions highlighted above are worth considering when you’re deciding between the two.
Both sides possess benefits and drawbacks, so you must decide based on your preferences. A lab-grown diamond might be better if your budget is tight, but you should never forget the stone’s lifetime value.
For those who view diamond jewellery as an investment, the long-term value of a natural diamond is far higher than that of a lab diamond; thus, they may be more motivated to seek out this type.
Though you can read about all the differences and research online, the choice is entirely up to you since no one else can make the call. Ultimately, what matters is that you should be happy with your purchase!
No Matter What Type of Diamond You Choose, Solitaire Has Everything to Meet Your Needs
What matters most will ultimately determine whether you choose a lab-grown or natural diamond. But if you still feel unsure, seek the advice of an expert at Solitaire Jewellery. At Solitaire, we provide consultations to help you with every step, from finding the ideal diamond to designing the perfect jewellery.
Call or stop by our Toronto outlet if you need guidance or want to see our stunning selection of diamond jewelry. Since purchasing a diamond-encrusted piece of exquisite jewelry ought to be an unforgettable event, Solitaire guarantees that every purchase is accompanied by a sparkling, long-lasting, ethical, and exquisitely designed piece.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is it worth buying a natural diamond?
Although the initial investment in a lab-grown diamond is lower, it will not have nearly as much value when sold as a natural diamond. A limited supply of genuine diamonds on the earth makes natural diamonds rarer than lab-grown ones. This means that, in the long run, the value of naturally produced diamonds will remain higher than that of lab-grown ones, making them much worthier.
- Should you consider lab-grown diamonds or natural ones for your loved ones?
Buying a certain type of diamond is a completely personal decision, depending on a person’s requirements. When choosing between a lab-grown or a natural diamond, it is best to consider what your partner wants because, at the end of the day, it’s a memory that is going to be cherished forever.
- Do lab-grown diamonds last forever like natural diamonds?
One of the most common concerns for lab-grown diamonds is their longevity. The truth is that there is no way that lab diamonds lose their lustre or sparkle with time. They, indeed, do last forever.