Diamonds are one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, but they also come with much controversy. Some people prefer natural diamonds that formed over billions of years in the earth, while others opt for lab-grown diamonds that are created in a matter of weeks in a laboratory. What are the differences between the Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds, and which one should you go with? Here are some factors to consider.
What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are synthetic diamonds made by replicating the exact natural process of diamond formation under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) or using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that grows diamond crystals from a gas mixture.
Lab-grown diamonds have exactly the same properties as natural diamonds, be they physical, chemical or optical, and they are graded by the same standards of the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat.
What are Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are organic gemstones that formed deep in the earth’s mantle over billions of years. They are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions or tectonic movements. Natural diamonds have unique characteristics that reflect their origin, such as inclusions, fluorescence and trace elements.
Natural diamonds are also graded by the 4Cs. Natural diamonds are accompanied by an independent gemological laboratory report verifying their authenticity and quality.
How to Compare Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds?
There are several aspects to compare when choosing Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds, but the most important one is the fifth C: cost and a sixth C: Certification.
Price
Lab-grown diamonds are cheaper than natural diamonds as they do not require mining, transportation or certification costs. Lab-grown diamonds cost 30% to 50% less than that of natural diamonds of the same quality and size. However, lab-grown diamonds have a lower resale value, as they tend to depreciate over time due to oversupply and lack of rarity. On the other hand, natural diamonds have a higher resale value, as they are considered an investment and a store of value.
If you are price conscious and want a larger sized and better quality diamond, between Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds, you may want to choose lab created.
Ethics
Lab-grown diamonds are ethically sourced, as they do not involve any environmental or social harm. They do not contribute to harmful gas emissions, water pollution or land degradation. They also do not fund conflict or human rights violations in diamond-producing countries.
Natural diamonds, however, have a history of being associated with bloodshed, violence and exploitation in some regions of Africa and South America. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was set up to prevent the sale and access of conflict diamonds in 2003. There are still loopholes and challenges in ensuring all natural diamonds are conflict-free.
Between Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds, this one can be tricky as now you get conflict free natural diamonds too.
Availability
Between Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds, Lab-grown diamonds are more available than natural diamonds, as they can be produced on demand and in any quantity. They also offer more variety in colors and shapes, as they can be manipulated during growth. For example, lab-grown diamonds can be made in rare colors such as blue or pink for a fraction of the cost as compared to natural-coloured diamonds.
Natural diamonds, however, are limited by nature’s supply and demand. They are scarce and finite resources that cannot be replicated or replenished. They also have less diversity in terms of colors and shapes, as they depend on geological factors. This makes them precious and special.
So between Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds, there’s is a possibility some natural diamond mines will dry out. So if you possess diamonds from these mines then in years to come will hold on to some of the most precious and rare stones.
Final Thoughts
Lab-grown and natural diamonds have pros and cons, depending on your preferences and budget. Lab-grown diamonds are cheaper, ethical and available, while natural diamonds are valuable, authentic and rare. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
The most important thing is to buy from a reputable seller that provides transparent information about the origin and quality of the diamonds you purchase.