The Rundown on Natural vs Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown, or synthetic, diamonds are a fairly new phenomenon. The technology for them was developed in the 1960s by the International Diamond Laboratory, but it has continuously improved since then. Today, lab-grown diamonds are larger and better than ever before. In fact, in 2016, a 3-carat lab-grown diamond was graded by the international grading laboratory – Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Then, in 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expanded the definition of diamonds to include those created in labs.

Clearly, lab-grown diamonds have come a long way since their beginnings. Indeed, if you’ve gone shopping for diamond jewelry recently, you may have noticed an option to buy lab-grown diamonds along with other gemstone options. Some of you may have also hesitated about your purchase because you didn’t know the difference, or if the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is even significant. That’s what today’s post is about: a look at the differences and similarities, and pros and cons of lab grown and natural diamonds.

First, how they’re different

Of course, both are real diamonds. The difference is in how they are formed. Natural diamonds were created billions of years ago by forces deep within the earth and brought up to the surface of the earth by volcanic activity. They are mined from rock called ‘kimberlite’ but only about 5% of kimberlite rocks have enough diamonds to make them economically worth mining.

On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds, also known as man-made, are created in the laboratory, and there are two different methods that can be used. There is the high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) method which mimics the high pressure and high temperature conditions that form natural diamonds, and there is the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that breaks down the molecules of certain gasses into carbon and hydrogen atoms and then deposits them on diamond seeds to create a diamond crystal.

Chemically speaking, natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are almost identical except that most natural diamonds have tiny amounts of nitrogen and lab-grown diamonds don’t. Another difference is in cost. Lab diamonds cost significantly less than natural diamonds ( a good way to keep the cost of engagement rings down). However, natural diamonds (at least high-quality ones) retain their value for a long time. The long-term value of lab diamonds is still uncertain.

The time it takes to create a lab diamond vs a natural diamond is also obviously very different. Natural diamonds took billions of years to form whereas lab-grown diamonds take anywhere from a week to a few months to grow. As a result, many people argue that lab-grown diamonds are much more sustainable as they do not require 100,000 tons of rock to be dug up for just a single diamond crystal.

Next, how they’re the same

Lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are basically the same, both chemically, physically and visually. They have the same sparkle, color, and clarity and both come in different shapes and sizes. Also, lab diamonds are just as hard as natural diamonds. They’re so similar that specialized equipment is needed to tell them apart. Even certified gemologists cannot tell the difference between them with only the naked eye. In fact, lab diamonds even have inclusions just like natural diamonds do. Inclusions are internal marks or birthmarks and there are several different kinds such as bearding, clouds, feathers, pinpoints and others.

Now for the pros and cons – first lab-grown diamonds

Pros

1. Lab diamonds are considered purer than natural diamonds in that they don’t have the dirt and impurities ingrained in them that mined diamonds and gemstones have.
2. They are free from ethical conflict because they aren’t sourced from conflicted regions. You can easily track the source of lab-grown diamonds and be assured that they don’t come from areas with a history of child labor, human rights violations, or poor working conditions. Natural diamonds are often called blood diamonds for this reason.
3. They are substantially more affordable than natural diamonds.
4. Lab grown diamonds are more environmentally friendly (although they also require large amounts of energy), since they don’t require mining or the use of colossal amounts of fossil fuel.

Cons

1. Lab-grown diamonds are mass produced so they are not a one-of-a-kind gem in the way that natural diamonds are.
2. The long-term value of lab diamonds is still unknown, and their re-sell price is significantly lower than the resale value of a mined diamond.
3. Sometimes sellers don’t have quite the range of lab-grown diamonds to choose from that is available for natural diamonds.
4. While the process of creating lab-grown diamonds is less energy intensive and generally more environmentally friendly than mining natural diamonds, we still are uncertain about their actual environmental footprint in terms of disposal, raw materials used, and waste by-products.
5. Lab grown diamonds are sometimes graded differently than natural diamonds.

And now the pros and cons of natural diamonds

Pros

1. Diamonds have greater emotional and romantic value because they are associated with rich traditions and have a physical history dating back millions of years that lends them a sense of magic and awe.
2. Natural diamonds are a one-of-a-kind gem, coming from deep within the earth and formed by the forces of nature. Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand are mass-produced in diamond factories, which for some, diminishes their mystery and glamour.
3. Diamonds have a much higher financial value than do lab diamonds simply because of their rarity. They also maintain their value and have high re-sell prices. Indeed, their value is growing because natural diamonds are becoming increasingly rare.

Cons

1. Ethical issues regarding mining practices have tainted public opinion of natural diamonds. Reports about forced labor, child labor, beatings, torture and even murder have come to light in recent years prompting public outcry and opposition to the diamond industry.
2. Mining for diamonds wreaks havoc on the environment and weak regulations on diamond mining aren’t helping to solve the issue. Diamond mining causes soil erosion and deforestation and sometimes causes the relocation of local communities and even the entire collapse of ecosystems.

So there you have it – the basic differences and similarities between lab-grown and natural diamonds

Hopefully this information can help inform your decision about which gem is best for you. When you’re ready, let us know and we’ll help you start your project.

Natural diamond engagement ring with halo and turtle details