When shopping for diamond jewelry, you mostly focus on the 4Cs: carat, cut, clarity, and color. But there’s one crucial question that often gets overlooked: is it natural or lab-grown? This single detail is so crucial, that it can impact your entire decision. Before you fall for the sparkle, make sure you know its story.

Lab-grown diamonds v/s natural diamonds: Which is better? This is an ongoing debate. While they sparkle in the same way, their origins are very different. Some may say that lab-grown diamonds are the future, while you might like the characteristic beauty of natural diamonds. 

In this blog, we will learn more about the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds. 

First, let’s understand their definitions. 

What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Also known as synthetic or man-made diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories using advanced technology to imitate the natural diamond formation process. So, they have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. 

These methods are used to make them: 

• High-Pressure High Temperatures: Here, the Earth’s natural diamond formation process is copied; extreme heat and pressure are applied to the carbon. 

• Chemical Vapor Deposition: In this process, a carbon-rich gas is used to grow diamonds layer by layer in a controlled environment. 

Since lab diamonds are made by artificial processes, they can be produced quickly, making them generally more affordable than naturally mined diamonds. 

What are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds, on the other hand, are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle under extreme heat and pressure. This takes 1 to 3 billion years. They are usually brought to the surface because of volcanic eruptions and then pulled out through mining. 

Each natural diamond has a different cut, clarity, and color, which makes them rare and valuable. The time it takes for them to be formed contributes to their prestige, emotional value, and investment potential. 

Key Differences Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds

Why Natural Diamonds are More Valuable

When you compare real vs lab diamonds, you will find that natural diamonds hold more worth. Here are the reasons why: 

Rarity and Exclusivity

• According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), only 20% of mined diamonds meet the high-quality standard needed to be used in fine jewelry, with all of them falling into various grades of clarity, cut, and color.

• Since lab diamonds are produced in large quantities, they are less exclusive. 

Emotional Connect 

• Natural diamonds represent long-lasting love, commitment, and legacy, so they can be cherished for a long time.

• Man-made diamonds might be beautiful, but they do not have the same kind of significance and history.

Long-Term Value

• High-quality diamonds will appreciate in value as time passes. According to historical data, a 5-carat diamond has appreciated by 200% over the past 30 years. 

• New technological evolutions will affect lab-grown diamonds’ production, and lead to price drop, making them a poor choice. 

• Historically, the price of lab grown diamonds has regularly seen a significant drop (74% in the past 5 years). This makes natural diamonds a better option since its prices remain constant for a long time. 

FAQs

1. Can you tell the difference between lab-grown v/s natural diamonds?
   The differences are usually unclear when you look at them with a naked eye. A gemologist can detect the small differences in crystal growth and inclusions using specialized tools.

2. Why do natural diamonds have higher value than lab-grown diamonds?
   Natural diamonds are rarer as they are formed over a billion years. Lab-grown diamonds are produced in large numbers, and technological evolutions over time will bring down their value.

3. Do natural diamonds appreciate in value over time?
   Yes. Natural diamonds appreciate in value, especially the stones that have exceptional cut, clarity, color and carats. So even though they are bought for their beauty and sentimental value, they will increase in value, depending on their demand and rarity. 

4. Are natural diamonds rarer than lab-grown diamonds?
   Yes. Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years and are in limited quantity, they are rarer. Lab diamonds can be produced in large numbers. 

5. Why are natural diamonds considered to have a better value?
   A natural diamond’s resale value is better, and they are recognized as valuable assets globally. Lab-grown diamonds can lose their value as production increases. 

6. How do natural diamonds hold cultural and emotional significance?
   Natural diamonds represent love, wealth and heritage. They have been used in royal jewelry, engagement rings and family heirlooms, and carry a deep emotional meaning. 

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored the main differences between lab-created diamonds v/s real diamonds.  Man-made diamonds might be an affordable trend, but natural diamonds have greater value, are rarer, and have more emotional significance. They represent history and commitment. Whether you choose a natural diamond or lab-grown diamond, you are making a purchase that lasts a lifetime. 

If you are looking to buy the best quality natural diamond jewelry at an affordable price, then Finerock is the perfect place for you. Get expertly crafted jewelry made with ethically sourced diamonds, with the added comfort of safe and secure payments. 

Browse the collection today, and choose an irreplaceable piece of jewelry. Happy Shopping!