Long cherished as symbols of beauty, luxury, and love, diamonds are widely considered a status symbol and the standard bearer among all gemstones, offering lasting value to the wearer. Throughout much of history, it has been natural diamonds that have adorned coveted pieces of jewelry and played a leading role in the diamond marketplace. However, technological advancements as well as increased interest among the public about ethical sourcing and sustainability have resulted in lab grown diamonds emerging as a viable option to earth mined stones.
In this article, lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds will be compared and light will be shed on the key differences between both types of stones.
Formation & Origin
Earth mined diamonds, sometimes referred to as Natural diamonds, come directly from the innermost part of the planet. They are formed deep within the mantle, all under intense heat and pressure. And it is this geological process that gives natural diamonds their unique characteristics.
Lab grown diamonds are created inside a highly controlled lab environment—one that mimics natural conditions required for diamond formation. As such, lab grown diamonds are produced through one of two means: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) synthesis. In both situations, carbon atoms are arranged into diamond crystal structures through high levels of heat and pressure—just like in nature. Now, even while lab grown diamonds are “born” in a lab environment, their chemical composition and physical properties are identical in every way to that of natural diamonds.
Anna-Mieke Anderson from MiaDonna, one of the first lab-grown diamond retailers since 2005, helps clarify the point:
“Whether diamonds are grown in or above the earth, they have the same chemical, optical, and physical qualities. We are simply mimicking the natural growing process of a diamond in a clean, modern-day lab. It’s like making ice in your freezer versus getting it from a glacier. Either way, it’s frozen H2O.”
Quality & Purity
All diamonds, no matter if they are lab grown or natural in their formation, are judged by the 4Cs; namely, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. The 4Cs are widely recognized as the universal methods used when evaluating the excellence and value of a diamond.
There is an important point here, though, about lab grown diamonds. Frankly speaking, because this type of diamond is created in a controlled environment, they tend to possess fewer impurities and flaws. What’s more is that lab grown diamonds also usually receive higher grades related to clarity when compared to a natural diamond. Why? Because a natural diamond has the potential to have impurities or inclusions that are the result of a natural formation process. Because of this, the majority of natural diamonds are considered Type 1, they make up about 95% of natural diamonds and have more nitrogen in their composition. Less than 5% of natural diamonds are considered Type 2, which have fewer impurities and are therefore brighter and harder. Consumers are more easily able to find Type 2 diamonds if they opt for lab grown.
Finally, while natural diamonds are known to come in a variety of colors, the vividness of a lab grown diamond tends to be more intense as the lab process enables the intentional control of color. Natural diamonds actually require post treatment at times in order to boost their color.
Price & Availability
Of course, any diamond shopper is also going to be interested in the price and availability of a diamond and will want to understand how natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds compare in this category.
Natural diamonds, historically speaking, have always been associated with higher price tags— this is because of the cost to mine and distribute diamonds as well as the belief that they are rare. Now, this should be clarified. Yes, it is expensive to source diamonds in nature. However, natural diamonds are not rare—rather, they are carefully controlled and released onto the market by certain diamond companies. If the market was suddenly flooded with actual reserves of diamonds, their value and cost would plummet considerably. It is also pertinent to note that while there is still a considerable natural diamond supply, all natural diamond formation took place eons ago in limited places on earth, at the end of the day, there is a limited supply that can be extracted from nature.
Compare this with how lab grown diamonds are produced and distributed. There are no mining costs, and these stones are generally more affordable than their natural counterparts of the same quality. Additionally, since lab grown diamonds are produced in a controlled environment, there is no risk of…
Read More: Lab Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds: What’s the Difference?