Choosing a diamond today involves a decision that previous generations of jewellery buyers rarely had to make: should you choose a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond?
At first glance, the two can appear remarkably similar. Both can display the brilliance, fire and sparkle people associate with diamonds, and both are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and qualities.
The biggest difference isn't simply how they look. It is where they come from and how they are created.
Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth through geological processes occurring over immense periods of time. Lab-grown diamonds are produced using technology that recreates conditions under which diamond crystals can develop.
Understanding that distinction—and what it means for price, rarity, appearance, durability and personal preference—can help you make a more informed jewellery purchase.
What Is a Natural Diamond?
A natural diamond is a diamond formed through geological processes within the Earth.
Carbon atoms crystallise under conditions of intense heat and pressure deep below the Earth's surface. Diamonds that eventually reach accessible deposits may have formed billions of years ago.
This extraordinary natural origin is part of the reason diamonds have traditionally carried such emotional significance.
Every natural diamond also develops its own combination of characteristics during formation. Variations in inclusions, colour, proportions and crystal structure contribute to the individuality of each stone.
For many jewellery buyers, this combination of natural origin, rarity and individuality is an important part of a diamond's appeal.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
A lab-grown diamond—also called a laboratory-grown or laboratory-created diamond—is produced in a controlled environment rather than mined from the Earth.
Modern laboratories generally use one of two processes:
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
HPHT recreates high-pressure and high-temperature conditions that allow diamond crystal growth.
Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)
CVD uses a carbon-rich gas environment in which carbon is deposited onto a diamond seed, gradually building a diamond crystal.
The result is a material with essentially the same fundamental crystal structure and chemical composition associated with diamond.
This is an important distinction:
A lab-grown diamond is not the same thing as a diamond simulant such as cubic zirconia.
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds produced by technological processes rather than geological ones.
Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds at a Glance
Natural Diamonds
Origin: Formed naturally within the Earth
Formation: Geological processes over immense periods of time
Appearance: Diamond brilliance and fire
Hardness: 10 on the Mohs hardness scale
Availability: Limited by natural geological supply
Price: Generally higher than comparable lab-grown diamonds
Appeal: Natural origin, rarity, tradition and individuality
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Origin: Created in a laboratory
Formation: HPHT or CVD technology
Appearance: Diamond brilliance and fire
Hardness: 10 on the Mohs hardness scale
Availability: Can be manufactured
Price: Generally lower than comparable natural diamonds
Appeal: Larger diamond sizes may be attainable at lower purchase prices
Can You Tell a Lab-Grown Diamond From a Natural Diamond by Looking at It?
Usually not with the naked eye.
A high-quality lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond can appear extremely similar when viewed without specialised equipment.
Colour, clarity and cut can vary within both categories, so simply looking at how much a diamond sparkles isn't a reliable way to determine its origin.
Professional gemological laboratories use specialised instruments and testing techniques to distinguish natural diamonds from laboratory-grown diamonds.
This is one reason documentation and accurate product descriptions are important when purchasing fine diamond jewellery.
Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Sparkle Like Natural Diamonds?
Yes. A well-cut lab-grown diamond can display the brilliance, fire and scintillation associated with diamond.
But origin alone doesn't determine how attractive a diamond looks.
Cut quality is extremely important.
A beautifully proportioned diamond can return light effectively and appear lively, while a poorly cut stone may appear less brilliant regardless of whether it is natural or laboratory-grown.
When comparing diamond jewellery, don't focus only on carat weight or origin. Consider the overall appearance and craftsmanship of the finished piece.
If you're deciding what diamond size is right for you, see our Diamond Carat Size Chart for a comparison of popular carat weights.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds as Hard as Natural Diamonds?
Yes.
Diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it the hardest naturally occurring mineral used in jewellery.
Both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds have the characteristic hardness associated with diamond.
That makes either suitable for jewellery intended for frequent wear, including rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants.
However, hardness doesn't mean indestructible.
Diamonds can still chip if struck at vulnerable angles, while gold settings can scratch, bend or wear over time. Fine jewellery should therefore still be treated with care.
What Is the Biggest Difference Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds?
The fundamental difference is origin.
A natural diamond is the result of geological processes within the Earth.
A lab-grown diamond is produced through a technological manufacturing process.
Everything else—price, rarity, supply and some aspects of consumer preference—flows from this fundamental difference.
For some buyers, origin isn't particularly important. They simply want the visual characteristics of a diamond at a particular budget.
For others, knowing that a diamond formed naturally over an extraordinary geological timeframe is an important part of why the jewellery feels special.
Neither preference needs to be treated as universally right or wrong.
Which Costs More: Natural or Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Natural diamonds generally cost considerably more than laboratory-grown diamonds of broadly comparable specifications.
There are several reasons for this.
Natural diamonds are constrained by geological supply and require exploration, extraction, sorting and processing before reaching the jewellery market.
Lab-grown diamond production can be expanded through additional manufacturing capacity and improvements in technology.
As production has grown, consumers have gained access to increasingly large laboratory-grown diamonds at lower prices.
This means someone prioritising maximum visible carat size for a fixed budget may find lab-grown diamonds attractive.
Someone prioritising natural origin and rarity may instead prefer a natural diamond even if that means choosing a smaller stone within the same budget.
Does a Natural Diamond Hold Its Value Better?
This subject deserves careful explanation because jewellery is sometimes marketed using overly broad claims about "investment value."
In general, you should not buy ordinary diamond jewellery primarily as a financial investment.
Retail jewellery prices include more than the loose stone itself. They can incorporate precious metal, manufacturing, design, setting, distribution and retail costs.
Natural diamonds generally have a more established secondary market than laboratory-grown diamonds, but that does not mean a natural diamond will automatically retain its original retail price.
Lab-grown diamond prices have also experienced considerable pressure as manufacturing capacity and supply have expanded.
If resale value is important to your purchase, investigate the specific diamond, documentation and current secondary market rather than assuming either category will appreciate.
For most buyers, jewellery is better viewed primarily as something to wear, enjoy, gift and potentially pass on, rather than as a guaranteed financial return.
Are Natural Diamonds Rarer?
Yes, in terms of origin and supply.
Natural diamonds depend upon geological processes that occurred deep within the Earth and deposits that can be economically recovered.
Their supply cannot simply be increased by adding manufacturing equipment.
Lab-grown diamonds, by contrast, can be produced repeatedly using technological processes. Production still requires specialist equipment, expertise, energy and time, but supply is fundamentally different from naturally occurring geological deposits.
For buyers who place importance on rarity, this distinction can strongly influence their choice.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds More Ethical?
You may encounter claims that one type of diamond is automatically "ethical" and the other isn't.
The reality is more nuanced.
Environmental and social impacts vary according to the mine, producer, energy source, manufacturing process, supply chain and operating standards involved.
Laboratory production avoids conventional diamond mining, but growing diamonds still requires significant equipment and energy.
Natural diamond sourcing, meanwhile, varies considerably between producers and regions.
Rather than relying on a single broad label, consumers should look for transparent sourcing information and responsible business practices.
Splendid Jewellery uses real, conflict-free diamonds and believes customers should be given clear information about what they are purchasing.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Fake Diamonds?
No.
This is one of the most common misconceptions.
A lab-grown diamond should not be confused with a diamond simulant.
Lab-Grown Diamond
A diamond crystal created through a laboratory process.
Cubic Zirconia
A different material that may visually resemble diamond.
Moissanite
Another distinct gemstone with its own chemical and optical properties.
Therefore, calling all lab-grown diamonds "fake diamonds" isn't technically accurate.
The meaningful distinction is laboratory-grown diamond versus natural diamond.
Do Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds Have the Same Grading System?
Both can be evaluated using familiar diamond quality characteristics such as the 4Cs:
Carat
The weight of the diamond.
Cut
How effectively the diamond's proportions and facets interact with light.
Colour
The degree of colour present in the diamond.
Clarity
The presence and visibility of internal or external characteristics.
Independent laboratories can issue reports identifying a diamond's characteristics and whether it is natural or laboratory-grown.
When purchasing higher-value diamond jewellery, clear documentation can provide additional confidence about exactly what you're buying.
Which Diamond Is Better for Everyday Jewellery?
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be suitable for everyday jewellery.
Your choice may depend more on:
- Budget
- Jewellery design
- Diamond size
- Gold setting
- Personal preference
- Sentimental significance
- How frequently the jewellery will be worn
For earrings or pendants, some customers may prioritise visual size.
For an engagement ring, anniversary piece or heirloom-style purchase, another customer may place greater importance on natural origin.
There isn't one correct answer for every jewellery buyer.
Which Diamond Should You Choose?
A simple way to approach the decision is to ask what matters most to you.
Consider a Natural Diamond If...
Natural origin matters to you.
You value geological rarity.
You appreciate the tradition associated with naturally formed diamonds.
You're purchasing jewellery intended to carry strong sentimental or heirloom significance.
Consider a Lab-Grown Diamond If...
Your priority is achieving a larger-looking diamond within a particular budget.
Natural geological origin isn't particularly important to you.
You prefer the pricing advantages currently available with laboratory-grown diamonds.
The important thing is to understand what you're buying and choose according to your own priorities rather than marketing pressure.
Choosing the Gold Colour for Your Diamond
Once you've chosen your diamond, the metal surrounding it can dramatically change the overall appearance of the jewellery.
White gold creates a bright, contemporary look that blends naturally with the colour of diamonds.
Yellow gold provides warm contrast and traditional appeal.
Rose gold creates a softer, romantic appearance.
If you're unsure which metal is right for you, read our guide to White Gold vs Yellow Gold vs Rose Gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds have the characteristic chemical and crystal structure of diamond but are produced using technological processes rather than forming naturally within the Earth.
Can a jeweller tell if a diamond is lab-grown?
Specialised gemological equipment and testing methods can distinguish laboratory-grown diamonds from natural diamonds. Visual inspection alone may not be sufficient.
Do lab-grown diamonds get cloudy over time?
A lab-grown diamond does not inherently become cloudy simply because it was laboratory-grown. Like natural diamond jewellery, however, oils, cosmetics and everyday residue can reduce visible sparkle until the jewellery is cleaned.
Are natural diamonds more expensive than lab-grown diamonds?
Generally, yes. Natural diamonds typically command higher prices than comparable laboratory-grown diamonds because their supply, production and market dynamics are different.
Are lab-grown diamonds as durable as natural diamonds?
Yes. Both have the characteristic hardness of diamond and are suitable for everyday jewellery when appropriately set and cared for.
Is a lab-grown diamond the same as cubic zirconia?
No. Cubic zirconia is a diamond simulant made from a different material. A laboratory-grown diamond has the fundamental crystal structure and chemical composition of diamond.
Which is better: lab-grown or natural diamonds?
Neither is universally better. Natural diamonds appeal to buyers who value natural origin, rarity and tradition, while laboratory-grown diamonds can appeal to buyers prioritising size and initial purchase price.
Final Thoughts
The choice between a lab-grown and natural diamond ultimately comes down to what gives the jewellery meaning for you.
Both can be beautiful. Both can sparkle brilliantly. Both can be incorporated into jewellery designed to last for many years.
Their stories, however, are fundamentally different.
A lab-grown diamond is the product of advanced technology. A natural diamond is a geological creation formed within the Earth over an extraordinary period of time.
At Splendid Jewellery, our focus is on real natural diamonds set in genuine gold, with clear product information to help customers buy with confidence.
Explore our collections of diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond pendants, diamond necklaces and diamond bracelets to discover natural diamond jewellery designed for everyday moments and life's most meaningful occasions.
Explore Natural Diamond Jewellery
Discover genuine gold jewellery set with real natural diamonds, from elegant everyday pieces to meaningful gifts designed to be treasured for years to come.
