Lab-Created Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds

Diamonds are a symbol of love, elegance, and timeless beauty, but choosing between natural and lab-grown diamonds has never been easy.

While both options offer the same brilliance and durability, their origins, costs, and environmental impacts set them apart. Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years deep within the Earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in weeks using advanced technology.

In this blog post we'll share some key differences, helping you understand what makes each type unique. So, wIthout a further delay, let's get started!

What is a Natural Diamond?

A diamond is one of the most remarkable creations of nature, known for its unmatched brilliance, hardness, and rarity. It is composed entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a unique crystalline structure, giving it unparalleled durability and a sparkle that has captivated people for centuries.

How Are Natural Diamonds Formed?

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle, about 90–120 miles below the surface, under extreme heat and pressure. This process takes billions of years and involves several key stages.

Carbon from deep within the Earth is exposed to intense pressure and temperatures exceeding 2,000°F. Over time, these conditions cause the carbon atoms to bond into a crystalline structure, forming a diamond.

Volcanic eruptions push these diamonds closer to the Earth’s surface through kimberlite pipes, where they are eventually mined.

Do you know? The oldest natural diamonds are believed to be over 3 billion years old, making them some of the Earth’s most ancient treasures.

Why Are Natural Diamonds Special?

Natural diamonds are admired for more than just their beauty. Their formation process, rarity, and historical significance make them truly unique.

Here is what sets them apart:

• Each natural diamond is a one-of-a-kind gem that has taken billions of years to form. This rarity adds to their allure and value.
• Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale. This makes them ideal for daily-wear jewelry like engagement rings.
• Throughout history, natural diamonds have symbolized love, strength, and eternity, making them the ultimate expression of commitment.

Only about 20% of mined diamonds are gem-quality, while the rest are used for industrial purposes.

The Journey of a Natural Diamond - From a Stone to Wearable Accessory

The path of a natural diamond from deep within the Earth to your jewelry box is fascinating and labor-intensive:

1. First the mining procees where diamonds are extracted from kimberlite or lamproite pipes, or alluvial deposits.
2. Then comes the Sorting and Grading in which diamonds are sorted based on size, color, and clarity.
3. After grading process, rough diamonds are expertly cut to maximize their brilliance and value.
4. In the last, diamonds are certified by organizations like GIA to verify their quality based on the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

The Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever found, weighed 3,106 carats in its rough form and was discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Natural Diamonds and Their Legacy

Natural diamonds carry a legacy of luxury, history, and significance. They’ve been coveted for centuries by royalty and everyday buyers. Iconic diamonds like the Hope Diamond and the Koh-i-Noor are testaments to their enduring appeal.

These are chosen for the multiple reasons:

• The diamonds are authentic - formed naturally over billions of years, every diamond tells a story.
• High-quality natural diamonds often retain or increase in value over time.
• Passed down through generations, natural diamonds are timeless treasures.

Approximately 122 million carats of natural diamonds are mined globally each year, yet they remain one of the rarest gemstones.

What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond created using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond formation process. These diamonds have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, making them just as brilliant, durable, and beautiful.

Lab-grown diamonds can take as little as 6 to 10 weeks to form compared to billions of years for natural diamonds.

To create diamonds in a laboratory, scientists use two methods:

1. High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT)

Carbon is exposed to extreme pressure (about 725,000 PSI) and heat (up to 2,700°F) in a lab chamber, mimicking natural conditions in the Earth’s mantle.

This process forms a diamond crystal, which is then cut and polished for use in jewelry.

2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

In this method, a thin diamond “seed” is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas.

High heat (1,400°F) breaks down the gas, and carbon atoms attach to the seed, growing the diamond layer by layer.

Why Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are not imitations or fakes like cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are chemically identical to natural diamonds.

Here are some identical properties:

• Pure carbon atoms arranged in the same crystal structure.
• A perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, just like natural diamonds.
• The same refractive index (2.42), giving them the same sparkle and fire

Even professional gemologists need specialized equipment to distinguish lab-grown diamonds from natural ones.

The Advantages of Lab-Grown Diamonds

• Lab-grown diamonds cost 20–40% less than natural diamonds, allowing buyers to get a larger or higher-quality stone for their budget.
• No mining is required, eliminating concerns about conflict diamonds or environmental destruction.
• Lab-grown diamonds have a significantly lower carbon footprint than mined diamonds.
• Their controlled creation allows for precision in size, shape, and color.

Over 70% of millennials prefer lab-grown diamonds due to their affordability and ethical advantages.

The Journey of a Lab-Grown Diamond

The process of bringing a lab-grown diamond to market is streamlined and efficient:

1. Diamonds are grown using HPHT or CVD technology in a lab.
2. Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished by skilled artisans.
3. Reputable labs like IGI (International Gemological Institute) or GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certify lab-grown diamonds based on the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Lab-grown diamonds are often graded using the same criteria and institutions as natural diamonds.

Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds are ideal for anyone looking for a stunning, ethical, and affordable gemstone.

These unnatural diamonds are a testament to human innovation, offering an ethical and eco-friendly way to enjoy the brilliance of diamonds. These absolutely are a modern choice for conscious buyers who want luxury without compromise.

Fun Fact:

The first lab-grown diamond was created in 1954, but advancements in technology have made them widely available and indistinguishable from natural diamonds today.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Natural vs Unnatural Diamonds

Here are some important key differences that can help you to choose the best fit!

Features	Lab-Grown Diamonds	Natural Diamonds
Formation	Lab-grown diamond formulation using advanced technology replicating the natural process of diamond formation. This process takes only a few weeks.	Natural diamonds have been formed within the earth under extreme heat and pressure for millions of years, so the Natural diamond formation process takes many years.
Quality and Appearance	It looks like a natural diamond in appearance and structure. They also have the same shine, sparkle, and durability.	They are natural diamonds and, therefore, have stunning quality due to their natural formation, making each diamond unique.
Cost	Lab-grown diamonds cost   30-50% less than natural diamonds due to the same size and quality but simple production.	Natural diamonds are more expensive due to their long formation process, rarity, quality, and finishing.
Environmental impact	They require some resources and less environmental damage since they are made in a controlled environment.	Mining natural diamonds can have a significant environmental impact, including water use and land disruption.
Rarity	Not rare. Since they are made in labs, they are produced in large quantities.	It has been rare in quality and formation for millions of years, making it much harder to find.
Market Value	Generally, they have a lower resale value than natural diamonds because they are not as rare.	They tend to hold and increase the value with time because of their rarity and long-standing demand.

 

So, How to Tell Them Apart?

Advanced gemological equipment is needed to distinguish between the two since lab-grown diamonds are virtually indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye.

Lab-grown diamonds often come with certifications (like IGI, GIA or GCAL) explicitly stating their origin. Lab-grown diamonds: Certified by IGI, GIA, or GCAL. However natural diamonds are certified using the same institutions but without lab-grown designations.

Why Some people Still Prefer Natural Diamonds?

The rarity and history of natural diamonds are highly valued that's why they are considered timeless and carry sentimental value for many buyers.

Most importantly, natural diamonds may hold better resale value over time.

Will Lab-made Diamonds Replace Natural Diamonds Ever?

While lab-made diamonds are becoming more popular because of their price and environmental benefits, they are expected to partially replace mined diamonds.

The primary reason is that natural diamonds take billions of years to be created and are thus rarer than lab-grown diamonds.

Natural diamonds have intrinsic emotional value and charm that man-made diamonds can never replicate.Lab-grown diamonds might be an economic and a good ecological option,

Yet their natural counterparts will continue to be in demand for people who appreciate their value and distinctiveness.

So, the answer is No!

A lab-grown diamond is an affordable choice. Still, it can't replace the value of natural diamonds because they have more value and can't be replaced with any lab-grown diamonds.

FAQs

Can lab-grown diamonds be re-sold?

Yes, lab-grown diamonds can be resold, but they generally have a lower resale value compared to natural diamonds due to their abundance.

Do lab-grown diamonds have a higher or lower demand than natural diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are seeing growing demand due to their affordability. less price and ethical appeal, but natural diamonds still dominate the luxury market due to their rarity and historical value.

All this deciding between natural and lab-grown diamonds comes down to what feels right for you. Both have their own beauty and meaning, and the choice is all about what matches your style, values, and budget. At Gem Jewelers Co., we have got you covered with a stunning range of natural diamond jewelry crafted into stunning engagement rings, necklaces, and more. Take a look and find a diamond that is as unique as your style is!

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