Diamonds: Natural vs Lab Grown

Published by Mat @Victoria James on Wednesday, July 02, 2025

A brief overview of natural and lab-grown diamonds, their value in the market today and their significant differences.

Lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are fundamentally the same in terms of their physical and chemical properties, both being pure carbon and exhibiting identical brilliance and sparkle. It's impossible to distinguish between lab-grown and natural diamonds with the naked eye; specialized equipment is needed to identify their key difference, which lies in their origin.

Natural or not, diamonds are a symbol of love and commitment, a timeless icon of luxury, and a potential investment due to their rarity and durability. They also offer emotional and mental benefits, like stress relief and a sense of calm, and can enhance charisma and confidence.

Lab-Grown Diamonds.

The most common misconception of lab-grown diamonds is that they're fake. This is untrue. Lab-grown diamonds have no physical differences from natural diamonds, it is only their price and creation process that sets them apart from natural diamonds. They have the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) as natural diamonds and can have the same amount of inclusions.

First developed some 70 years ago, lab-grown diamonds have soared in popularity. Due to their growing availability as technology advances, lab-grown diamonds have one particularly excellent advantage over natural diamonds - their price. Dramatic advancements in technology in the last few years have seen lab grown diamond prices fluctuate, bringing about a lack of clarity on how the costs compare.

As it currently stands, the lab grown diamonds we source for our clients cost at least 50% less than their natural diamond counterpart. This can be further impacted by the size of the diamond or whether it is certificated, meaning that the total price difference could be closer to 60 or 70% less than a natural mined diamond of the same cut, colour, carat and clarity. 

Grown in controlled laboratories over several days to weeks before being cut and polished, lab-grown diamonds are created using two primary methods: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both processes involve replicating the natural diamond formation process, but in a controlled laboratory environment. The result is a real diamond with the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a mined diamond.

High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) Method:
A specialized HPHT machine is used, containing a cell with a carbon source (like graphite), a metal catalyst (like nickel or cobalt), and a diamond seed. The cell is subjected to extreme heat (over 2,000 degrees Celsius) and pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch). The carbon melts and dissolves, then crystallizes onto the diamond seed under pressure, forming a larger diamond. The environment is slowly cooled, and the resulting diamond crystals are extracted, cut, and polished.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Method:
A vacuum chamber is filled with a carbon-rich gas mixture (like methane and hydrogen). A thin diamond seed (often a Type IIA diamond, the purest form of diamond) is placed in the chamber and the chamber is heated (around 800°C). The heat breaks down the gas molecules, and the carbon atoms attach to the seed, layer by layer, forming a diamond. Some CVD diamonds may undergo further HPHT treatment to enhance their colour or other properties.

Lab-grown diamonds are generally considered a more ethical and environmentally friendly option compared to natural diamonds due to several varying social and environmental factors:

• The fact that they're created in a lab eliminates the risk of funding conflict or human rights abuses associated with some natural diamond mining areas.

• They offer a reduced environmental impact as they require significantly less land disruption, deforestation, and carbon emissions compared to mining.

• Lab-grown diamonds are produced in regulated facilities, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for employees.

• The production process of lab-grown diamonds can be more transparent and traceable than that of natural diamonds.

For most people, the choice of a lab-grown diamond is obvious: they’re cheaper, more traceable and have less environmental impact than mined diamonds. Yet others remain sceptical as little is known about their future value, and whether something made in a lab is as romantic as nature’s produce.

Natural Diamonds.

In essence, while lab-grown diamonds offer a more accessible and ethically conscious choice, natural diamonds are prized for their rarity and potential to maintain value. Natural diamonds are considered rarer, as their formation takes millions of years under specific geological conditions, which contributes to their higher value and potential to hold value better over time. Furthermore, the natural diamond industry supports local economies and mining communities. 

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle, over billions of years, through a process of intense heat and pressure. Born in the Earth's mantle at depths of 150-200 km, temperatures range from 900 to 1300 degrees Celsius and pressures reach 45 to 60 kilobars. Under these conditions, carbon atoms bond together in a specific way to form the crystal lattice structure of a diamond. Volcanic eruptions, specifically kimberlite eruptions, bring the diamonds, encased in kimberlite rock, to the surface. Once on the surface, these kimberlite pipes are mined, and the diamonds are extracted, sorted, and prepared for cutting and polishing. The entire process, from formation to eruption, can take billions of years, making natural diamonds a testament to the Earth's geological history. 

Mind boggling as it may seem, but most diamonds are older than most stars in the sky. That would make the oldest diamonds more than three billion years old and the youngest diamonds nine hundred million years old. Scientists are under the impression that diamonds have been forming throughout all of earth's history.

While being more expensive to buy than lab-grown diamonds, the resale value of natural diamonds is a much more substantial guarantee. Lab-grown diamonds offer a potential for market fluctuations, and a lower perceived value by some consumers due to a perceived lack of rarity and history. Natural diamonds, especially those with unique characteristics like fancy colours, can appreciate in value over time, making them a potentially good investment.

Natural diamonds are one of the only things you will ever purchase that don’t wear out with use. In rare instances they can be damaged but even when worn every day for years, they don’t scratch, fade, or need maintenance further than retipping claws. Incredibly, 95% of all diamonds will look just as good in 50 or 100 years as they do the day they were purchased. That is one reason people say, “Diamonds are forever”.

If any of this information has sparked inspiration, get in contact with us today to discuss your new ring, pendant, bracelet or earrings - we're always happy to help!