Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds: Your Guide

What is a Lab Diamond?

• Lab Grown Diamonds are real diamonds.
• Lab Diamonds and Natural Diamonds are basically the same, both chemically and visually.

A “Lab Diamond” is just like a Natural Diamond, except instead of growing in the Earth, they grow in a lab. There is no visual difference between high quality Lab Created Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds. They sparkle the same, have the same types of color and clarity (more on small nuances below), and can come in the same sizes and shapes. Likewise, Lab Grown Diamonds are just as hard as Natural Diamonds.

Carbon is the main element in both Natural and Lab Diamonds. The only chemical difference between Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds is that most Natural Diamonds contain tiny amounts of nitrogen, and Lab Diamonds do not. This lack of nitrogen is one way gemologists can identify Lab Created Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds. Laser inscription and unique fluorescence are other identifying features of Lab Grown Diamonds.

How are Lab Diamonds Grown?

There are currently two methods of creating Lab Diamonds: high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamonds (CVD)

Chemical Vapor Deposition – or CVD – is the newest method to create lab diamonds. To create a CVD diamond, scientists place a diamond tiny “seed crystal” in a small chamber filled with mineral-rich gas. When the gases are heated, they begin to form layer upon layer of carbon onto the seed crystal. You can imagine this somewhat like a 3D printer! These layers build upon one another to make the diamond grow into a large enough crystal to facet into the diamonds we sell today.

High Temperature Diamonds (HPHT)

HPHT diamonds have been around for a bit longer, but only recently have we perfected this technology! Previously, HPHT was only used as a “treatment” to “whiten” natural diamonds that were born a less flattering color. Now, diamond scientists create beautiful, bright white lab diamonds from common carbon! To create a HPHT diamond, scientists place natural graphite (like the carbon in your pencil tip!) in a large machine and crushes it with extreme pressure and high temperature. The reason this works is because it mimics how the Earth uses heat and pressure to form Natural Diamonds.

CVD vs. HPHT Diamonds

There is no visual difference between high quality CVD and HPHT diamonds. Both technologies can produce beautiful, high end stones which rival natural diamonds. There are small differences which may be noticeable between CVD vs HPHT diamonds when the growth process is rushed, or trace elements find their way into the mix. Notable things to ask your jeweler about (as they do not appear on certificates) include “crystal strain”, “blue nuance”, and brown or mixed “tinge”. Long story short, when looking at a CVD diamond, make sure the stone does not show significant crystal strain – it will make your sparkle less crisp. Blue nuance stones, which occur through the HPHT process, can be desirable in the right conditions. You can read more about these issues here.

Is a Lab Diamond Fake?

No. A Lab Diamond is a real diamond. Because Lab Grown Diamonds have the same chemical and visual properties as Natural Diamonds, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) even recognized Lab Diamonds as real in 2018.

Lab Diamonds vs. Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite

Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite are diamond “simulants.” This means that although clear in color like a diamond, they are not the same chemical substance as a diamond.

Lab Diamond vs Cubic Zirconia (CZ)

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a lab gem that was first made in 1976. There is no such thing as natural CZ. CZ can be completely colorless or a variety of colors. It is flawless. CZ produces more colored light (or “fire”) than diamond does, however it reflects less light in general. Importantly, CZ is nowhere near as hard as diamond. So, over time, CZ often develops unsightly scratches and wear. Diamond, on the other hand, is the hardest substance known to man, and will resist showing wear.

Lab Diamonds vs Moissanite

Moissanite can be natural, but it is rare. Instead, scientists create Moissanite for jewelry. At a hardness of 9.25/10, Moissanite is much harder than CZ, but still softer than 10/10 Diamond. Moissanite can be colorless and near colorless. It shows MUCH more colored sparkle (“fire”) than CZ or Diamond. For those looking for an alternative to a Natural Diamond, Moissanite’s hardness and sparkle make it a good engagement stone option to consider, along with Lab Diamonds.

Lab Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds: Main Differences

Although there is no difference in appearance between high quality Natural Diamonds vs Lab Diamonds, there are big differences in cost, value, rarity, and sustainability.

The Look

• High Quality Lab Diamonds and Natural Diamonds look exactly the same.
• Lower clarity Lab Diamonds have a few inclusions that do not occur in Natural diamonds.

There is no difference in look between high quality Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds. Both Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds can be colorless or near colorless. They both can also be a variety of candy colors. Likewise, both Lab Diamonds and Natural Diamonds come in all standard shapes such as round, princess, oval, marquise, pear, cushion, radiant, emerald, and asscher. The sparkle and brilliance of Lab and Natural Diamonds are the same. High Quality stones are identical in look. Lower clarity lab diamonds (those where inclusions are visible to the naked eye) may have different inclusions than their natural counterparts. This is discussed in more detail below.

Lab Diamonds Price

• Lab Diamonds cost much less than Natural Diamonds.

As you’d expect, Lab Diamonds cost significantly less than Natural Diamonds. This is because we depend upon Mother Nature to create Natural Diamonds, whereas we make our own Lab Diamonds. High quality Lab Grown Diamonds are fairly new. So, Lab Diamond prices have been changing a bit in the last few years. Currently, in a comparison between Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds of similar size, cut, color, and clarity, a Lab Diamond is approximately 10-30% of the price of a Natural Diamond. For example, check these out:

Value

• The long-term value of Lab Diamonds is not yet settled.
• High quality Natural Diamond values have stayed fairly consistent.

Because high quality Lab Diamonds are newcomers to jewelry, and new Lab Diamond brands are launching regularly, the long-term value of Lab Grown Diamonds is not yet settled. That is to say, in the future, technology could advance and Lab Diamond prices could decrease, lowering the value of previously sold Lab Diamonds. Or, on the other hand, as couples learn more about the benefits of Lab Diamonds, demand could rise, increasing values.

With the creation of Lab Diamonds, and the changing needs of millennials, demand for Natural Diamonds has decreased. However, with rising education on diamond grading, and the invention of diamond grading tools like ASET Scopes, the Natural Diamonds purchased today are of much higher quality than ever before. So, high quality Natural Diamond values have stayed fairly consistent.

Sustainability

• Mining Natural Diamonds is not very sustainable.
• Creating Lab Diamonds is more sustainable.

Natural Diamond is crystal-clear carbon mined from rock called “kimberlite” deep in the Earth. There is a lot of gossip about the actual rarity of diamonds. This confusion arises from the difference between “gem quality diamonds” and diamonds of lesser quality. True, there are many “industrial-drill-bit-quality” diamonds dug up every day. But we doubt that’s what you want on your finger. In reality, around 100,000 tons of rock has to be dug up and searched through to find a single crystal which could yield a 1.00ct D/Flawless diamond. As you can imagine, moving that much Earth on a regular basis to mine Natural Diamonds is not a very sustainable practice. This is one reason why Do Amore gives back with every diamond purchase.

Creating diamonds in a lab, on the other hand, is much more sustainable. No mining is needed, so the Earth’s crust isn’t disturbed. And, labs are controlled environments, so they are safe and predictable. Finally, many of our lab diamonds are grown using sustainable energy, such as wind, hydro, or solar power!

Buying Process

The buying process for a lab diamond is similar to the process of buying a natural diamond, with a few differences. With natural stones, it is best to choose a GIA certified diamond. With lab diamonds, respected certificates include GIA, GCAL, and IGI. However, when comparing stones, it is important to note that GIA is the strictest grader, and that IGI grades more loosely. Practically, this means that if you are comparing a GIA G color against an IGI F color, they are both likely G color in reality.

Because lab diamonds can have a few more quirks than natural diamonds, and those quirks are not listed on certificates, it is wise to select a reputable jeweler that will be honest with you about the stones they are selling. Be aware that some jewelers have biases towards natural or lab stones. So, if you want to compare both natural and lab diamonds, make sure you choose a jeweler that sells both and is happy to compare and contrast with you! Bonus points if your jeweler of choice is committed to transparency, sustainability, and charitable giving, like Do Amore.

Next, shop for a stone that catches your eye, or ask the jeweler’s gemologist to run a specific search for you within your budget and desired parameters. Make sure the gemologist reviews your stones to rule out any hidden quality issues. In both natural and lab diamonds, this will include shape-specific cut quality, bowtie, and fisheye issues. In lab diamonds, this also includes crystal strain and tinge problems. If your jeweler does not know what crystal strain or mixed tinge is, you should find a new jeweler.

Finally, once you’ve selected your perfect stone, simply match it to the setting of your choice. It is best practice to match lab side stones to a lab center and natural side stones to a natural center!

Have questions on these steps? Reach out to us at care@doamore.com!

Grading and Certification

• Couples should choose GIA for Natural Diamond Certification.
• Those seeking a Lab Diamond should choose GIA, GCAL, or IGI for Certification.

Almost all gem labs grade Natural Diamonds on the D-Z color and FL-I3 clarity scales. Many gem labs grade Lab Diamonds differently, however.

As we discussed in our diamond certification post, a GIA Certified diamond has the strictest grading. However, as GIA just recently began grading lab diamonds and does not grade them as frequently, Do Amore additionally recommends GCAL and IGI for your Lab Diamond. Both GCAL and IGI use the same D-Z color scale and FL-I3 clarity scale for Natural and Lab Diamonds. GCAL has a “zero tolerance” grading policy, and is a fairly strict grading lab. IGI was the first lab to grade lab diamonds, and in our experience, has taken the task seriously. While perhaps not quite as strict, they are definitely more well known, and have more extensive experience grading Lab Diamonds. So, couples wanting strict grading should choose a GIA or GCAL Certificate. Couples that desire broad recognition should consider IGI.

Pros of a Lab Grown Diamond

The pros of choosing a lab diamond include lower cost, larger sizes, sustainability, and ethical peace of mind. Because lab diamonds are so much less expensive per carat than natural diamonds, couples are able to choose considerably larger stones. This means more bang for your buck! Choosing a diamond that is grown in a lab also means you know that the stone did not require mining tons and tons of Earth, and the people creating the stone were in safe, controlled environments.

Cons of a Lab Grown Diamond

The cons of choosing a lab diamond revolve around their newness to market. Because lab diamonds are  a relatively new option, pricing has not yet stabilized. So, as compared with natural diamonds, jewelers cannot guarantee what a lab diamond will be worth in the future. In addition, because they are so new, some people feel there is stigma associated with choosing a lab diamond. However, this market is growing exponentially, with younger generations flatly refusing natural stones and opting only to consider lab options. Consequently, we believe the market will continue to grow and thrive.

Are Lab Diamonds flawless?

Not usually! Unlike flawless Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite discussed above, Lab Diamonds, just like Natural Diamonds, typically have internal marks that gemologists call “inclusions.” These inclusions are a diamond’s birthmarks. Because Lab Diamonds are also crystal carbon, they have the same types of inclusions as Natural Diamonds, like feathers, clouds, and pinpoints. I am asked sometimes if I can tell real vs lab diamond by a stone’s inclusions. The answer is, sometimes.

Because of the way Lab Diamonds are made, certain Lab Grown Diamonds have small metallic inclusions, flux-like inclusions, or crystal strain that mined diamonds do not. Also, due to the way some lab grown diamonds are laser engraved with their inscription, some lab diamonds also show reflections of their black certification number.

Why do couples choose Lab Diamonds?

• Couples choose Lab Diamonds because they are less expensive and sustainable.

Couples choose Lab Diamonds for a variety of reasons. Cost is king to many newly engaged couples. A big look for less money? Yes, please! As Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds are indistinguishable, many couples feel there’s no reason to pay more money for a natural, mined stone.

Other couples like knowing that their Lab Diamond did not need to be mined from the Earth. This can be due to their preference that the Earth be left in its natural state, or because they want diamonds free from conflict.

Couples concerned about intense mining or questionable ethics may take comfort in knowing the lengths we go to in order to offer only the most sustainable and ethical Natural Diamonds on the market today. Do Amore goes a step further than the Kimberley Process by purchasing only from “Diamond Sightholders,” an elite group of diamond houses recognized for their well-established, outstanding ethical accountability and excellent reputation. We also proudly offer natural Canadian Mark and Recycled Diamonds for those wanting additional reassurances as to the ethics of their Natural Diamond. Click here for more about Do Amore’s commitment to conflict-free diamonds.

Why do couples choose Natural Diamonds?

• Couples choose Natural Diamonds because they are traditional, rare, and mysterious.

Like Lab Grown Diamonds, couples have different reasons for choosing Natural Diamonds. For some, it is a family tradition. Others really enjoy wearing something that is so rare. For many, it is the mystique that the Earth produced this clear, sparkly gemstone. These couples enjoy learning about the nuances of their specific stone, and how it could have formed that way. Finally, some couples feel it is a matter of value, and the consistency in Natural Diamond pricing is a comfort.

Will people know if I have a Lab Diamond?

Not unless you tell them. There’s no visual difference between Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds to the naked eye. So, can you tell real vs lab diamond? Not without a diamond lab in your back pocket!

Can you help me choose the right Lab Diamond?

Of course! I would love to discuss the benefits of Lab Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds with you and help you pick the perfect stone! Send me an email at care@doamore.com and we can start your Lab Diamond journey today!