Lab grown diamonds vs Natural diamonds

18 January 2023 • 4 min read

When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, you have two choices: a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond. Both with respective benefits but choosing between the two can be a challenge.

Natural diamonds have always been a long-standing favourite and the original choice for engagement rings. However, times have changed and recently, lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity as well.

These two diamonds have entirely different origins. But what is the difference? With nearly identical traits, it can be easy to mistake the two as the same optically. Whichever you end up choosing, both natural and lab grown diamonds are available online.

So, which one is best for you? First, you must understand the difference between these two diamonds. Below, we compare the two to help you make your choice.

Lab grown vs Natural diamonds: quality, price, and environmental impact

How do lab-grown diamonds compare to natural diamonds in terms of quality, price and environmental impact? The main difference between a lab-grown diamond and its natural counterpart is how it is made.

As suggested in its name, a lab-grown diamond is made in a controlled environment. Also known as synthetic diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are created through advanced technology in a laboratory setting. On the other hand, a natural diamond is organically formed through the Earth’s mantle and is mined.

Hardiness & durability

Because lab-grown diamonds are made to mimic the exact formation of the natural diamond, they result in the same physical and chemical properties. This means they share the same durability and hardness level.

In fact, they even have the same grading criteria: carat weight, cut, colour and clarity. This is used to deem the value of a lab-grown diamond as it would a natural diamond.

Price

Regarding price, lab-grown diamonds are known to be more cost-effective. Being produced in a lab, it is a more accessible creation process that can be formed in a matter of weeks. In comparison, a natural diamond is a finite source that takes billions of years to form and must be mined, giving it a dearer price tag.

Environmental impact

The other difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond is the ethical and environmental factors. For years, the conflict around mining natural diamonds has been a concern for potential buyers. Not only have mines had an infamous history of unethical work practices, but it has been the cause of environmental devastation, increasing ecosystem destruction and deforestation.

This amount of conflict is avoided with the synthetic process. It makes lab-grown diamonds better for the environment as it is more sustainable and ethical to create. However, it is essential to note that a certain energy level is required to manufacture a lab-grown diamond, meaning its carbon footprint isn’t completely clean either.

 

Are there any other differences between lab grown and real diamonds that you should know about before making a purchase decision?

One of the differences between a natural and lab-grown diamond cannot be seen with the naked eye. This is the element of nitrogen. Tiny amounts of nitrogen can be found in a natural diamond, whereas there is none in a lab-grown one. This is how a gemologist can identify a stone.

Another difference is the value. If you are looking to buy lab grown diamonds, you should know that while they tend to have a more appealing price tag, it is known that natural diamonds hold better value because of their rare status. As a finite supply, the demand is higher, meaning the resale would be more than that of a lab-grown diamond.

What are the pros and cons of buying a lab grown diamond vs a natural diamond?

Still not sure which diamond you’d prefer? Let’s quickly recap the pros and cons.

	Pros	Cons
Lab-grown diamonds	Ethically-made Considerably sustainable More affordable Purer than mined diamonds Quicker to produce	Doesn’t hold as good value as a natural diamond long-term Is mass-produced
Natural diamonds	Provides better resale value Provides unique one-of-a-kind stones	Ethical concerns Less sustainable More expensive Is a finite source

 

Which type of diamond is right for you – lab grown or Natural diamond?

Your budget should also be considered. Lab-grown diamonds are the most cost-friendly option and tend to come with a significant price difference. Because of its origin, you can get a bigger stone than you could for the same price as a natural diamond.

In addition, if you are concerned about the ethical and environmental impact of a natural diamond, you may be more inclined to go for a lab-grown diamond.

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Which diamond are you interested in? At Ernesto Buono Fine Jewellery, we offer a range of diamond engagement rings using both lab-grown and natural stones and can guarantee that all of our diamonds are of the highest quality. In addition to our exquisite designs, we also offer a bespoke custom design service. No matter your preference, we can guarantee an engagement ring to suit you.

If you want to buy natural or lab grown diamonds in Australia, visit our website to start your journey. For any questions, we invite you to get in touch with us.