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  • Natural Vs Lab Diamond



GUIDANCE NATURAL VS LAB DIAMOND

Explore the world of diamonds. When discussing the comparison between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds, it is crucial to clarify certain facts. Firstly, lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds; the only difference is that they are produced in man-made settings instead of being formed under the Earth's mantle over a span of billions of years.

round-Diamond
EXPLORE
round-Diamond
EXPLORE

Lab-Diamonds are real diamonds

Yes, lab-grown diamonds are authentic diamonds with identical properties to natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds possess no discernible physical differences from natural diamonds, and specialised laboratory equipment is required to distinguish between them. The disparity between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds only lies in their price and ethicality.

The popularity of lab-grown diamonds has increased dramatically in recent times. Although they were initially developed many years ago, it was only with recent advancements in their production efficiency and quality assurance that lab-grown diamonds entered the jewelry market.

For most individuals, opting for a lab-grown diamond is an obvious choice due to its affordability, ethical sourcing, and sustainable origins. However, some remain skeptical of their future value and whether lab- grown diamonds can match the romantic appeal of nature's creations.

Therefore, the discussion regarding lab-grown diamonds versus natural diamonds is less relevant since both are genuine diamonds, whether they are mined or human-made.

LAB DIAMONDS VS REAL DIAMONDS

Lab-grown diamonds are authentic diamonds that are visually, chemically, and physically identical to natural diamonds. These man-made gems cannot be distinguished from natural diamonds even under extreme magnification, and will be identified as genuine diamonds when subjected to standard diamond-testing methods. While specialised laboratory equipment can detect if a diamond was grown in a lab, even the most skilled gemologists cannot differentiate between natural and lab-grown diamonds with the naked eye. Explore more Lab-diamonds vs Natural diamonds.

The scientific similarities between natural and lab-grown diamonds are evident and significant.

  • round-stone-loop
  • LAB GROWN
  • CARBON
  • CUBIC
  • 2.42
  • 0.044
  • 10
  • 3.52
  • EXCELLENT
  • ONLY 2% (TYPE IIa)
  • STRONG TO NONE
  • NO
  • EVEN
  • APPEARANCE

  • PROPERTIES
  • CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS
  • CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
  • REFRACTIVE INDEX
  • DISPERSION
  • MOHS SCALE HARDNESS
  • DENSITY
  • THERMAL CONDITIONS
  • INTRINSIC PURITY
  • BLUE FLUORESCENCE
  • PHOSPHORESCENCE
  • COLOUR DISTRIBUTION
  • round-stone-loop
  • NATURAL
  • CARBON
  • CARBON
  • 2.42
  • 0.044
  • 10
  • 3.52
  • EXCELLENT
  • 100% (TYPE IIa)
  • NONE
  • SOME
  • EVEN

The difference between a lab grown diamond vs natural diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are virtually indistinguishable from earth-mined diamonds, with the only difference being their place of origin. They possess identical chemical, physical, and optical properties to mined diamonds and showcase the same level of fire, scintillation, and sparkle. Professional jewellers and gemologists also cannot differentiate between a lab-created diamond and a natural one with the naked eye. When we compare earth-created diamonds to lab diamonds after they have been cut, there are no physical differences, but their price and origins differ. Natural diamonds form over billions of years within the Earth's mantle, where carbon crystallises into a dazzling gem due to intense heat and pressure. In contrast, lab diamonds are created in a matter of weeks by mimicking this process in a laboratory using either CVD or HPHT techniques that involve high pressure, heat, and carbon-rich gas.

In their rough state, CVD diamonds, HPHT diamonds, and natural diamonds exhibit differences in appearance (as depicted in the image below, CVD on the left, HPHT in the canter, and natural on the right). However, distinguishing between lab-grown and natural diamonds after cutting requires specialised equipment that can detect the presence of nitrogen within the stone. Unlike natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds do not contain nitrogen but may contain trace elements picked up during the formation process.

cvd_image

CVD DIAMOND (LEFT), HPHT DIAMOND (CENTRE), NATURAL DIAMOND (RIGHT)

Due to the efficiency of lab diamond production, their cost can be up to 50% to 70% less than natural diamonds, which take billions of years to form and require expensive mining endeavours. Furthermore, lab diamond creation requires far less land than mining, and choosing a lab diamond reduces the risk of inadvertently selecting a blood diamond, which is highly unlikely but possible.

Mined and lab-grown diamonds share a common composition of pure carbon that undergoes a transformation process to become sparkling cubic crystals. Although lab-grown diamonds possess the same optical properties as natural diamonds due to their identical chemical makeup, they lack inherent rarity. Natural diamonds are formed over thousands of years through intense pressure deep within the earth's crust, resulting in their unique scintillating appearance. Consequently, all natural diamonds that will ever exist have already been created, rendering them a permanent rarity. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds can be produced without limit.

Lab grown diamond vs natural diamonds cost

Compared to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are significantly less expensive, usually priced between 50% and 80% lower than their naturally formed counterparts of the same carat weight and grade. Refer to the following comparison of typical costs between lab diamonds and natural diamonds.

Diamond Carat Cut Colour Clarity Price
Natural 1 Excellent D VS2 £5500 - £7500
Lab 1 Excellent D VS2 £1200 - £2000

If you're interested in exploring IGI and GIA certified lab diamonds, start by choosing your preferred design from our engagement rings collection to discover your ideal diamond. Another option is to schedule a meeting to talk about a personalised design and have our experts curate a range of lab diamonds exclusively for you.

LAB DIAMONDS VS DIAMOND SIMULANT

Diamond simulants have a completely distinct chemical composition from diamonds. Conversely, lab diamonds and natural diamonds have an identical chemical composition, making them genuine diamonds. Diamond simulants can appear vastly dissimilar to diamonds, especially in terms of their sparkle, which is generally not as radiant, sharp, colourless, and brilliant as that of a diamond.

Lab diamonds should not be confused with diamond simulants. Unlike diamond simulants, which are gems specifically designed to imitate diamonds without being true diamonds, lab diamonds are genuine diamonds. Examples of diamond simulants include maisonettes and cubic zirconia.

Lab grown diamonds vs cubic zirconia

Lab-grown diamonds, as the name suggests, are created in a laboratory and have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. Conversely, CZ is an entirely different material with its own composition and properties, produced in a lab to mimic the appearance of diamonds.

Cubic zirconia, often referred to as ‘CZ’, is artificially produced in a lab, but it differs from a lab diamond in several ways. CZ is a distinct gemstone with its own set of characteristics that are dissimilar to diamonds. Despite being a low-cost option and often colourless and unblemished, CZ is highly susceptible to scratches and has a comparatively unremarkable sparkle. Unlike a lab diamond, CZ emits a less intense, more artificial-looking rainbow-like sparkle. Additionally, even if it is colourless upon creation, CZ can eventually become yellowish over time. Lab-grown diamonds offer a more genuine and longlasting alternative, with exceptional brilliance and durability. On the other hand, CZ is a much cheaper and inferior substitute that is prone to scratching, lacking the brilliance, and longevity of a genuine diamond.

Lab diamond

lab_diamond_img

Cubic zirconia (CZ)

cubic_zirconia_img

Lab grown diamonds vs Moissanite

Moissanite is now artificially produced. However, moissanite is distinct from lab-grown diamonds. Moissanite is highly durable and can be manufactured with exceptional clarity. However, the gemstone's colour is often characterised by hues of grey, brown, yellow, or green. In contrast to lab diamonds, moissanite exhibits a fiery sparkle that produces an abundance of rainbow-like colours, which can be a clear indication of its artificial origin. The biggest drawback of moissanite is its tendency to appear fuzzy or hazy, which is due to its double refraction. The size of the moissanite impacts this issue, becoming more noticeable in larger stones.

Moissanite has an exceptional sparkle that is distinct from diamonds. In fact, Moissanite sparkles even more brightly and with more colour than diamonds, which is hard to believe! The amount of coloured sparkle that Moissanite reflects is almost twice that of a diamond, which gemologists refer to as "dispersion". Moissanite has a dispersion of 0.104, while diamonds have a dispersion of 0.044. As a result, Moissanite has a firework-like appearance when compared to diamonds side by side.

Lab diamond

lab_diamond_img

Moissanite

moissanite_img

LAB DIAMONDS & SUSTAINABILITY

Creating lab-grown diamonds is a process that requires a significant amount of energy. However, lab diamond creators are continually making efforts to reduce the amount of time and resources required to produce each diamond. Initially, it was suggested that creating a lab diamond required 250 kWh of energy. Nevertheless, some producers are now claiming to use as little as 20 kWh to create a diamond.

Compared to mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are much more sustainable in terms of land use. Diamond mining necessitates vast areas of land exploration, whereas a diamond laboratory can be relatively compact and does not require any form of mining or excavation.

Moreover, more and more lab-grown diamonds on the market are being created with renewable energy. Producers are increasingly using solar power to manufacture diamonds or investing in ways to offset their carbon emissions. It is expected that the demand for carbon-neutral diamonds will drive many diamond laboratories to reevaluate their manufacturing processes and strive for more eco-friendly production.

Overall, lab-grown diamonds are considered far more sustainable than mined diamonds. As technologies are refined to become more efficient and less consumptive, their sustainability is anticipated to increase further.

Per Carat Natural Lab diamond
Mineral waste 2386 kg 0.5 kg
CO2 Emissions 57,000 g 0.028 gas
Water Usage 127 gallons 18 gallons

A lab grown or natural diamond for engagement ring?

We understand that choosing between a lab-grown or natural diamond is a personal decision, so we aim to provide you with helpful facts to aid you in making the right choice. If you need further guidance, our experts are available to show you natural vs. lab diamonds in person.

  • • Both lab-grown and natural diamonds can be found with top-quality cut, colour, and clarity grades.
  • • Lab-grown diamonds retail for 60% to 80% less than natural diamonds.
  • • For the same budget, a lab-grown diamond will have a considerably higher carat weight than a natural diamond.
  • • The future value of lab-grown diamonds is uncertain, while natural diamonds tend to retain their value over time.
  • • Lab-grown diamonds require far less land use than natural diamonds.
  • • Lab-grown diamonds are 100% authentic and identical to natural diamonds.
  • • Although creating lab-grown diamonds requires a lot of energy, technology is advancing to reduce this, and many lab-grown diamonds are produced sustainably using solar power.
  • • Lab-grown diamonds can be created in a matter of weeks, compared to the billions of years it takes for natural diamonds to form.
  • • Without specialised equipment, it's impossible to tell a lab-grown diamond apart from a natural diamond.
  • • A lab-grown diamond is not a fake diamond or diamond simulant; it's a genuine diamond.
  • • Natural diamonds are ethical as long as you don't purchase a blood diamond, which is almost impossible thanks to the UN's Kimberley Process.
  • • Most natural diamond mines operate ethically and can provide essential sources of income for mining-dependent communities. Meanwhile, most diamond labs are based in already-developed countries.
EXPERT CONSULTATION

A complimentary, no-obligation consultation with your personal design consultant.

We have a team of diamond and design experts ready to assist you at every stage of the process. From comprehending the nuances of carat weight, colour, cut, and clarity to creating the ideal design, our experts are here to provide guidance and support.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Whether you prefer online or in-store consultations, our team of diamond and design experts are ready to assist you every step of the way.

One-to-one consultation is the best service to explore more.

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GUIDANCE

Explore our comprehensive and informative guides covering a wide range of topics. Don't hesitate to ask questions and delve deeper into your interests. Let your curiosity guide you and discover something that truly resonates with you.

LAB DIAMONDS

Learn about lab grown diamond from pout detailed guide. Discover how lab diamond is created.

 

EXPLORE

LAB DIAMONDS JOURNEY

Learn about lab grown diamond from pout detailed guide. Discover how lab diamond is created.

 

EXPLORE

LAB DIAMONDS VALUE

Explore the lab diamond’s price and value propositions. Discover how lab diamond is evaluated.

 

EXPLORE

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