Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

If you have started diamond shopping, you probably noticed lab-grown diamonds. If so, you may be wondering, are lab-grown diamonds any good? Are natural diamonds better? As with any decision, there are several factors to consider when choosing between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your priorities. For example, if price is the primary priority, then that will steer the decision towards a particular type of diamond.

Are lab-grown diamonds different?

Both lab-grown and natural diamonds have the same chemical composition, so they have the same make-up. As such, a lab-grown diamond can be evaluated and graded based on carat, cut, clarity, and color and have an accompanying certificate. The difference between the two arises from their origin. A natural diamond is mined from the earth. In contrast, as the name suggests, a lab-grown diamond is man-made under special environmental conditions that greatly reduce the time required for the diamond to form. While it takes between one week to a month to grow a lab-grown diamond, a natural diamond is formed from extreme pressure and heat deep in the Earth’s crust. This process is slow and subject to nature’s timeline.

Ethically-Sourced Diamonds

Another differentiating factor between natural and lab-grown diamonds is the sourcing. Since natural diamonds are mined, there is the potential for poor mining conditions, substandard wages, and inhumane treatment of the miners. Therefore, you must pay careful attention where the natural diamond is sourced from and how it is obtained in order to procure an ethically-sourced diamond. In contrast, you can rest assured that a lab-grown diamond is ethically sourced because it is produced in a sterile environment under particular conditions. Therefore, if the sourcing of the diamond is a key consideration for you, then you either need to exercise due diligence and find a natural stone that is from a good supply chain or go with a lab-grown diamond.

Diamond Prices

One of the biggest differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds is price. Natural diamonds are significantly more expensive, which is to be expected given that lab-grown diamonds can be made in less than a month. If you want to know how much you can save by choosing a lab-grown diamond, simply select the characteristics (color, cut, clarity, and carat) you are looking for in the stone and complete a side-by-side comparison. You can likely save 50% or more with a lab-grown diamond, so you are essentially getting it for half the price. This rule of thumb does not always hold true, as it will depend on the quality of the stone you are trying to purchase. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the gold standard for diamond certification, so you can rest assured of the quality if you purchase a diamond with a GIA certificate.

Diamond Resale Value

After touching on price, it is only fair to discuss resale value. While diamonds in general do not have the best resale value, and you should never utilize diamonds as an investment, lab-grown diamonds really do not retain their value. Most of us do not go to purchase a diamond with the intent of reselling it because typically a diamond is purchased for a special occasion, such as an engagement, wedding, or anniversary. However, none of us can predict the future, so just know that if you have a lab-grown diamond, the price you will get for it, should you ever need to sell it, is greatly reduced.

Conclusion

When you buy a diamond, whether lab-grown or natural, their composition is the same. However, that does not mean all natural diamonds are good quality or all lab-grown diamonds are good quality. You still need to consider the diamond grading criteria, and getting a GIA-certified diamond is the best way to ensure the quality and authenticity. Lab-grown diamonds can be made quickly, which means they cost less to produce than it costs to mine a natural diamond. Therefore, the prices of natural diamonds are substantially higher. Additionally, natural diamonds retain much more of their value than a lab-grown diamond. Finally, it is difficult to ensure that a natural diamond is ethically sourced.

There is no best answer as to whether a lab-grown diamond or natural diamond is better. If price is a primary concern, go with a lab-grown diamond. However, despite both diamond types having the same composition, there are sometimes perceptions that a lab-grown diamond is “not real.” Be sure your partner does not hold this view prior to buying one. You may get an amazing deal, but if your partner does not value the diamond, your efforts are wasted. Weigh the pros and cons and choose the diamond that is best for you.