If you’re shopping for a diamond for your engagement ring or another piece of jewelry, you have options. You, of course, have your choice of diamond shape, carat weight, and quality. Then, you can also choose whether you want a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond. While gem-quality lab-grown diamonds have been around for a few decades, they had been an uncommon choice for diamond jewelry until recently. Lab-grown diamonds have become much more popular in recent years, in part because of advances in technology and in part because of consumer demand. More people are interested in lab-grown diamonds than ever, since many modern consumers are looking for alternatives to mined gemstones. So, many people are now considering lab grown diamonds for their jewelry-- but should you go with a lab-grown diamond or choose a natural diamond? To help you make an informed decision, we’re going over everything you need to know about lab grown diamonds vs natural diamonds. Below, we’ll cover how lab-grown and natural diamonds are similar, how they’re different, and why people usually choose one over the other.
Similarities Between Lab-Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds
Chemical Composition
Lab-grown diamonds have the exact same chemical composition as mined diamonds. Natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are both made of pure carbon, crystallized in an isotropic 3D form.Physical Properties
Since lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds have the same chemical composition and diamond crystal structure, they also have the same physical properties. Lab created and natural diamonds are both extremely strong, durable, and hard, coming in at a 10 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Note that because lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical makeup and physical properties as natural diamonds, they’re not not diamond simulants. Diamond simulants are stones that look like diamonds, but are not real diamonds. Some examples of diamond simulants include cubic zirconia and moissanite, which look similar to diamonds, but have very different chemical and physical properties. Lab-created diamonds, on the other hand, are just what their name indicates: man-made diamonds that have been created in a lab.Appearance
Lab-grown diamonds have the same optical properties as natural diamonds, so they're just as brilliant, fiery, and beautiful. It’s actually impossible to tell lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds apart with the naked eye. Even highly trained gemologists and jewelers can’t tell whether or not a diamond is natural or lab-created just by looking at it.Differences Between Lab-Grown Diamonds and Natural Diamonds
Formation
The primary difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds is how they’re created. Natural diamonds form naturally within the earth with no outside intervention from humans. Lab-grown diamonds are created by scientists within a highly controlled lab environment. Lab-grown diamonds are typically made using one of two creation methods: high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapour deposition (CVD).Prices
Another difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds is how much they cost. A lab-grown diamond can cost up to 30% less than a mined diamond with the same carat weight and qualities.Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamonds vs a Natural Diamond?
Why People Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds
People usually prefer lab-grown diamonds over natural diamonds for one or both of these reasons: the fact that they are not mined and/or their lower price tag. Lab-created diamonds are made in a lab, so they’re never mined and are guaranteed to be conflict-free. This is considered a huge advantage among those who worry about the ethics of mining natural diamonds. Then, lab-grown diamonds are generally more affordable than natural diamonds. This is advantageous for anyone who wants to save money on their diamond or get a larger, higher-quality diamond within their budget.Why People Choose Natural Diamonds
People who prefer natural diamonds over lab-grown diamonds often like them because of how they form. It takes millions of years for a natural diamond to form in the earth’s crust. Many people find this natural formation process meaningful and special. Some people also prefer natural diamonds because they are much more traditional than lab-grown diamonds. While a lot of today’s modern consumers like the idea of synthetic diamonds, some just do not. Many people simply want a classic natural diamond for their jewelry (and this desire can be stronger for diamond engagement rings in particular). Additionally, some people prefer natural diamonds because they worry about the potential resale value of lab-grown diamonds. Natural diamonds have been sold and resold for hundreds of years and they have a solid, known resale value. Conversely, lab-grown diamonds are quite new with relatively unknown resale values, which is considered a drawback by those who are concerned about the money they’re investing in their diamond.