Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds

To answer this before we dive deeper into things: yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds in every way, including appearance, the way they refract light, and their physical composition. Diamonds, lab-grown and natural, are the hardest material on earth, and possess the same fiery sparkle and brilliance that makes a diamond such a popular choice for engagement rings.

Furthermore, lab-grown diamonds will always test as diamonds when checked by experts using a diamond tester or any other method. It is possible to check, under extensive analysis, whether a diamond was formed naturally or in a lab, but we'll explore how a diamond expert would perform these checks in more detail below. 

The only difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond is the way they are formed. It’s impossible to tell a lab-grown diamond apart from a mined diamond just by looking at it – whether you prefer lab-grown or natural diamonds comes purely down to personal preference, and most likely, the understanding most people have that a diamond should formed deep in the earth's core, and then mined, polished, and cut. 

Technology has been developed that allows skilled technicians to replicate the diamond creation process in the controlled environment of a laboratory, allowing for ‘on demand’ creation of the precious stones. It’s largely this semi-recent break from tradition that has led to the misconception that lab-grown diamonds are not as ‘real’ as natural diamonds, which in turn has caused some people to be wary of lab-grown diamonds.

In a word, no. Popular diamond simulants like moissanite or cubic zirconia, which look like diamonds, are not the same as lab-grown diamonds. Unlike lab-grown diamonds, simulated diamonds are not real diamonds, making 'simulant' the incorrect term to use when referring to a lab-grown diamond.

Simulated diamonds do not refract light the same way as a real diamond, nor do they have the same physical or chemical composition as a real diamond. It’s also typically easy to tell the difference between a simulated diamond like moissanite and a real diamond, for gem experts or anyone who knows what tell-tale attributes to look for.

Lab-grown diamonds are created when a tiny carbon seed is exposed to the same extreme heat and temperature conditions found deep within the earth, where diamonds are formed naturally as a result of carbon dioxide being exposed to the same conditions. The result is a diamond, which is created over the course of about 2 months, while natural diamonds can take millions of years to form.

Now that we’ve established that a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond, you may be wondering whether anyone, including you, will be able to tell that your lab-grown diamond isn’t a mined diamond.

It is impossible to tell a lab-grown diamond apart from a natural diamond, and there is no difference between the two that is visible to the naked eye. There are some checks that a gemologist can carry out to identify how a diamond was made, but those checks require not only expert knowledge, but specialist equipment. We'll explore some of these checks below.

The value of lab-grown diamonds fluctuates widely, as does the value of natural diamonds. Diamonds are also widely available in the current market, making for competitive pricing and making it so you will only be able to sell your diamond for a small portion of what you purchased it for if you attempt to do so. It is unlikely you’ll be able to sell your diamond for a profit in the future, whether it is lab-grown or natural. 

For this reason, diamonds should be treated as an investment in the recipient more than anything else. Diamonds make for a great heirloom due to their longevity, and can have a lot of sentimental value and meaning which can build as they are passed down from generation to generation.

Lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40% less expensive than mined diamonds. This is less about the quality of the diamond and more about the currently greater consumer demand for natural diamonds, and the labour-intensive process of mining and processing natural diamonds. 

Although the process of creating a lab-grown diamond also requires labour, they have a far shorter journey from origin to retail in comparison to their mined counterparts. This longer supply chain also contributes directly to the higher price tag that a natural diamond carries.

There is no objective answer to this question, because there is no physical difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond. The only thing that may place one option above the other is the personal preference of the person who will be wearing the diamond.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a guide of things you may find it helpful to consider when deciding whether or not a lab-grown diamond may be right for you or your loved one.